AppleCare+ is Apple’s extended warranty program. For a fee, you can add an extra year of coverage to your Apple product in case it malfunctions or if you need repairs. But is AppleCare+ worth it? That depends on a few factors, such as how much you are willing to pay for the coverage and the device itself. In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about AppleCare+ so you can decide if it’s right for you and your Apple product.
Table of contents
What is AppleCare+?
AppleCare+ is an extended warranty program offered by Apple for all new devices, including Apple Certified Refurbished devices.
It provides coverage for repairs that are outside the scope of the one-year limited warranty and 90 days of technical support included with every Apple device.
If the product doesn’t work as expected for up to a year, or something breaks through no fault of the user, Apple will fix it for free.
AppleCare+ extends your warranty for two years from the purchase date, and it gives you additional features such as 24/7 priority tech support, battery service coverage, and accidental damage protection.
AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss plan is also available for iPhones, which includes all the benefits of AppleCare+ and up to two incidents of theft or loss coverage every 12 months.
Image: Apple
What is the difference between AppleCare and AppleCare+?
AppleCare is the standard warranty that comes free with every Apple device and covers hardware failures and manufacturing defects for one year. If the product doesn’t work as expected in that period, or something breaks through no fault of the user, Apple will repair it for free. Also, the warranty is usually transferable if the item changes owner within a year.
On the other hand, AppleCare+ is an extended warranty option that increases the extent and length of coverage for up to three years in the case of Macs and Apple Displays. For the rest of the products, the coverage is extended up to two years. This warranty offers additional benefits, such as priority access to support, coverage for accidental damage, and reduced service fees.
AppleCare+ is essentially an insurance plan that covers repairs beyond the scope of the standard warranty. The pricing for AppleCare+ varies depending on the device and coverage selected.
In contrast, AppleCare is free and comes with the device. It covers hardware failures and manufacturing defects but does not cover accidental damage or offer reduced service fees.
| Coverage | AppleCare | AppleCare+ |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware repairs | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Technical support | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Software support | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Warranty period | 1 year | 2 or 3 years |
| Accidental damage coverage | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Theft or loss coverage | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Cost of screen replacement | Free if defective, full cost if it’s not | $29 |
| Cost of battery replacement | Free if defective, full cost if it’s not | No extra cost |
| Cost of device replacement | Free if defective in the warranty period | $99 |
| Deductible for accidental damage, theft, or loss | N/A | Varies by device |
| Number of incidents covered | N/A | 2 incidents per year |
| Coverage for accessories | N/A | ✔️ |
| Battery service coverage | ✔️ | ✔️ |
What are the benefits of having AppleCare+?
These are the benefits of purchasing an AppleCare+ extended warranty for your Apple device.
- Extended warranty.
- Hardware failures and accidental damage coverage (subject to service fees).
- Battery service coverage if it retains less than 80% of its original capacity.
- Theft or loss coverage for the iPhone (for an additional fee).
- 24/7 technical support.
- Priority access to Apple support by phone or chat.
- Replacement of damaged or defective devices.
- Software updates, recovery, and reinstallation assistance.
How much does AppleCare+ cost?
Generally, the more expensive the product, the more expensive AppleCare+ will be. These are the range of prices for all Apple devices, which you can pay monthly in installments or in a one-single payment for a coverage of 2 or 3 years, depending on the product.
| Product | In installments | Total price |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone | From $3.99 monthly | From $79 for 2 years |
| iPad | From $3.49 monthly | From $69 for 2 years |
| Mac | From $34.99 annually | From $99 for 3 years |
| Apple Display | From $49.99 annually | From $149 for 3 years |
| Apple Watch | From $2.49 monthly | From $49 for 2 years |
| Headphones | N/A | From $29 for 2 years |
| Apple TV | N/A | From $29 for 3 years |
| HomePod | N/A | From $15 for 2 years |
How much does AppleCare+ for the iPhone cost?
| Model | Monthly | 2 years | Monthly (+Theft and Loss) | 2 years (+Theft and Loss) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone SE 3 | $3.99 | $79 | $7.49 | $149 |
| iPhone 14 | $7.99 | $149 | $11.49 | $219 |
| iPhone 14 Plus | $8.99 | $179 | $12.49 | $249 |
| iPhone 15 | $7.99 | $149 | $11.49 | $219 |
| iPhone 15 Plus | $8.99 | $179 | $12.49 | $249 |
| iPhone 16 | $7.99 | $149 | $11.49 | $219 |
| iPhone 16 Plus | $8.99 | $179 | $12.49 | $249 |
| iPhone 16 Pro | $9.99 | $199 | $13.49 | $269 |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | $9.99 | $199 | $13.49 | $269 |
How much does AppleCare+ for the iPad cost?
| Model | Monthly | 2 years |
|---|---|---|
| iPad | $3.49 | $69 |
| iPad mini | $3.49 | $69 |
| iPad Air 11‑inch (M2) | $3.99 | $79 |
| iPad Air 13‑inch (M2) | $4.99 | $99 |
| iPad Pro 11‑inch (M4) | $7.49 | $149 |
| iPad Pro 13‑inch (M4) | $8.49 | $169 |
How much does AppleCare+ for Macs cost?
| Model | Annually | 3 years |
|---|---|---|
| Mac mini | $34.99 | $99 |
| iMac | $59.99 | $169 |
| Mac Studio | $59.99 | $169 |
| MacBook Air 13‑inch (M2) | $64.99 | $179 |
| MacBook Air 13‑inch (M3) | $69.99 | $199 |
| MacBook Air 15‑inch (M3) | $79.99 | $229 |
| MacBook Pro 14‑inch | $99.99 | $279 |
| MacBook Pro 16‑inch | $149.99 | $399 |
| Mac Pro | $179.99 | $499 |
How much does AppleCare+ for the Apple Display cost?
| Model | Annually | 3 years |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Studio Display | $49.99 | $149 |
| Pro Display XDR | $179.99 | $499 |
How much does AppleCare+ for the Apple Watch cost?
| Model | Monthly | 2 years | 3 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch SE | $2.49 | $49 | N/A |
| Apple Watch 10 | $3.99 | $79 | N/A |
| Apple Watch Ultra 2 | $4.99 | $99 | N/A |
| Apple Watch Hermès | $4.99 | N/A | $149 |
| Apple Watch Hermès Ultra | $4.99 | N/A | $149 |
How much does AppleCare+ for AirPods and Beats cost?
| Model | 2 years |
|---|---|
| AirPods | $29 |
| AirPods Pro | $29 |
| Beats | $29 |
| AirPods Max | $59 |
AppleCare+ key points
- It’s an extended warranty for up to 2 or 3 years, depending on the product.
- It covers hardware failures and factory faults.
- It covers up to two incidents of accidental damage every 12 months.
- It has battery service coverage.
- Each incident is subject to a service fee.
- AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss protection is available for iPhones.
- It includes 24/7 priority access to Apple’s technical support via phone or online chat.
- It offers software support for macOS and iOS, including help with Apple apps and services.
- It is transferable, so the remaining coverage can be transferred to the new owner if you sell your device.
- It can be purchased at the time of buying a new device or within 60 days of purchase.
- Its plans are per device, so you can have multiple ones.
- AppleCare+ is also available for Help Desks, IT Departments, and Enterprises.
Should you get AppleCare+?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to whether AppleCare+ is worth it.
In the case of the cheapest or somewhat older devices and models, it is definitely not worth it in relation to their purchasing price, and you will need to pay a deductible in case of damage.
However, paying for an extended warranty on the most recent Apple devices or those requiring a significant investment might make sense, such as the MacBook M3 Max, the iPhone 16 Pro Max, the iPad Pro 13″ M4, or the Mac Studio, among others.
Moreover, if you don’t get AppleCare+ coverage, Apple can still repair your products for a fee for the cracked or broken screen of an iPhone.
For instance, Apple will replace the screen of an iPhone 16 for $279, which is costlier than the AppleCare+ iPhone coverage for two years (plus the deductible for the screen repair).
However, if you don’t break the screen and the phone works as it should, paying for AppleCare+ might not be worth it.
Conclusion: Save money with a better alternative
Luckily, there is a more affordable alternative to buying Apple products: going the refurbished route.
A refurbished product is much cheaper than the factory-new counterpart. The only difference is that a refurbished device is a previously-owned product that has been returned, cleaned, examined, and put on sale again with the same performance, although it may have some signs of use (hence the big discounts).
If you can save hundreds by buying a refurbished product, you may not be inclined to purchase AppleCare+ just in case you break it or something else happens, making it a double savings.
On RefurbMe, we compare the best deals on refurbished Apple devices from sellers with solid backgrounds and great discounts, all of them with a professional warranty.
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FAQ
The cost of AppleCare+ can be more than a quarter of an iPhone, iPad, or Mac’s factory price, making it a significant investment. It may not be necessary for some Apple devices, such as Apple TVs and HomePods, where accidental damage is unlikely to occur. Whether or not to purchase AppleCare+ depends on how you use your Apple device and how much risk and expense you are willing to take.
AppleCare is the standard warranty that comes free with Apple devices and covers hardware failures and manufacturing defects. This warranty usually offers a one-year limited warranty and up to 90 days of complimentary technical support. AppleCare+ is an additional service and support plan that provides coverage for repairs and assistance outside the scope of the one-year limited warranty.
AppleCare does not cover normal wear and tear, cosmetic damages, pre-existing conditions, catastrophic damage, lost or stolen devices, abusive or intentional conduct, damage caused by anyone other than Apple, and damage from natural disasters. It also does not cover accidental damage or offer a reduced service fee. However, AppleCare+ provides extended coverage for up to three years, including accidental damage and tech support.
The AppleCare Express Replacement Service is a feature of AppleCare+ that allows eligible iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, HomePod, and Apple TV owners to request a replacement device before sending in their damaged device for repair. This service is available for hardware failures and is not applicable for accidental damage. Apple automatically ships a replacement device, along with a box and shipping labels for the original device, or users can drop off the original device at a UPS store with a Repair ID from Apple.
AppleCare+ and AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss are two variants of Apple’s extended warranty program. While both plans offer coverage for up to two incidents of accidental damage every 12 months, AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss provides additional coverage for the loss or theft of an iPhone. This plan is only available for the iPhone. To qualify for this coverage, “Find My” must have been enabled on the device at the time it was lost or stolen.
It’s not free to repair your screen if you have AppleCare+, but you will only need to pay a $29 deductible.
It is expensive to fix an iPhone because of several factors. iPhones are made with glass on both the front and back, making them vulnerable to fall damage. Apple uses OLED displays, a high-end technology contributing to higher repair costs. Metal interferes with wireless charging, so the company uses glass instead, which is expensive to repair. Additionally, the latest models feature Ceramic Shield. This material is four times as resistant to damage when dropped than the glass used on previous models, but when it does break, the glass is costly to repair.
