AppleCare

All new Apple products come with a one-year limited warranty and 90 days of free technical support. If customers want more coverage for their new tech, they can pay for AppleCare+ extended warranty plans directly from Apple.

Customers have 30 to 60 days to activate coverage from the time of purchase. For many Apple products, the coverage can be activated from the Settings app.

How AppleCare Works

Apple's basic device warranties cover manufacturer hardware defects or failures, like bending, dents, or dead pixels. AppleCare builds on this by adding accidental damage repair and remote software support. It functions like car insurance, where you pay for the extended coverage upfront then pay a deductible when needed.

AppleCare+ coverage doesn't protect against user-created damage to Apple products, such as unauthorized repair or modification, illegal software manipulation or download, or other non-accident-related events. In these cases, Apple will turn customers away or require full device replacement.

Apple will not provide support on tech that has not been updated to the latest software version. Devices that have been jailbroken or running unauthorized software aren't eligible for repair either.

Price and Coverage

Mac

Apple sells a variety of Mac laptops and desktops covered by AppleCare.

Products covered by this plan:

• Mac computer
• The battery when less than 80% capacity
• Accessories included in the box
• Apple memory
• AirPort device if purchased within two years of the Mac
• Apple USB SuperDrive

Screen or enclosure damage costs $99 to repair, and any other damage costs $299. Customers only get two out-of-warranty repairs for their Apple device covered by AppleCare+. After using those up, they will have to pay full price.

Coverage is available for all modern Macs and lasts up to three years. It is available in a choice of annual payments or for three years. 

• MacBook Air 13-inch M2 at $64.99 annually or $179 for three years
• MacBook Air 13-inch M3 at $69.99 annually or $199 for three years
• MacBook Air 15-inch M3 at $79.99 annually or $229 for three years
• 14-inch MacBook Pro at $99.99 annually or $279 for three years
• 16-inch MacBook Pro at $149.99 annually or $399 for three years
• Mac mini at $34.99 annually or $99 for three years
• iMac at $59.99 annually or $169 for three years
• Mac Studio at $59.99 annually or $169 for three years
• Mac Pro at $179.99 annually or $499 for three years

Exclusive AppleCare Deals

Adorama is offering AppleInsider readers $80 off AppleCare+ for the 16-inch MacBook Pro. Use coupon code APINSIDER with our special 16-inch MacBook Pro pricing links to get your discount on an eligible 16-inch MacBook Pro.

Adorama is also offering a $60 discount on AppleCare+ for the 14-inch MacBook Pro and $50 off AC for the 2022 M2 13-inch MacBook Pro. Use the same coupon code APINSIDER to get the bonus discount alongside exclusive 14-inch MacBook Pro prices and 13-inch MacBook Pro prices (Need help? Here are step-by-step activation instructions).

iPhone

Any new iPhone purchase is eligible for AppleCare.

Devices covered by this plan:

• iPhone
• The battery when less than 80% capacity
• Accessories included in the box

Screen repair costs $29, and any other damage will cost $99. Customers only get two out-of-warranty repairs covered by AppleCare+ and will pay full price after using those up.

AppleCare+ is available for all currently supported iPhones. There is an additional theft and loss coverage program exclusive to iPhone. Only the models sold by Apple can have a subscription-based AppleCare+ service.

iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and iPhone 15

2 years of AppleCare+ with one-time payment:

• $149 standard
• $219 with theft and lost protection

Up to 5 years of coverage with monthly payments:

• $7.99/mo. standard
• $11.49/mo. with standard theft and loss protection

iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 14 Plus

2 years of AppleCare+ with one-time payment:

• $179 standard
• $249 with theft and lost protection

Up to 5 years of coverage with monthly payments:

• $8.99/mo. standard
• $12.49/mo. with standard theft and loss protection

iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max

2 years of AppleCare+ with one-time payment:

• $199 standard
• $269 with theft and lost protection

Up to 5 years of coverage with monthly payments:

• $9.99/mo. standard
• $13.49/mo. with standard theft and loss protection

iPhone SE (Gen 3)

2 years of AppleCare+ with one-time payment:

• $79 standard
• $149 with theft and lost protection

Up to 5 years of coverage with monthly payments:

• $3.99/mo. standard
• $7.49/mo. with theft and loss protection

Deductibles paid depend on the issue:

• $29 for screen or back glass damage for iPhone SE
• $99.00 for other accidental damage
• $99.00 for theft or loss

iPad

Apple's iPad lineup is full of variety and AppleCare is essential for some of the more expensive models.

Products covered by this plan:

• iPad
• The battery when less than 80% capacity
• One Apple Pencil
• One Apple-branded iPad Keyboard
• AirPort devices if purchased within two years of the iPad
• Accessories included in the box

All repairs for the iPad cost $49 for any accidental damage and $29 for Apple Pencil or Apple-branded keyboard. AppleCare+ covers two incidents.

The insurance is available for all modern iPads and gets you two years of coverage, or you can pay monthly.

• 11-inch iPad Pro with M4 at $149 or $7.49/mo.
• 13-inch iPad Pro with M4 at $169 or $8.49/mo.
• 13-inch iPad Air with M2 at $99 or $4.99/mo
• 11-inch iPad Air with M2 at $79 or $3.99/mo.
• iPad mini at $69 or $3.49/mo.
• iPad at $69 or $3.49/mo.

Deductibles paid depend on the issue:

• $29 for accessories
• $49 for accidental damage of the iPad or iPad mini
• $29 for screen damage of the iPad Pro or iPad Air
• $99 for other accidental damage of the iPad Pro or iPad Air

Apple Watch

Apple Watch has a wide price range, so some may want peace of mind for their more expensive models.

Products covered by this plan:

• Apple Watch
• The battery when less than 80% capacity
• Accessories included in the box

Repairs cost $69 for the standard Apple Watch and Apple Watch Nike. The more expensive Apple Watch Edition and Apple Watch Hermes, as well as the Apple Watch Ultra, can be repaired for $79.

AppleCare+ is available for all modern Apple Watches and covered two accidental damage repairs over two years, three for Apple Watch Hermes.

• Apple Watch Series 9 at $79 or $3.99 per month
• Apple Watch SE at $49 or $2.49 per month
• Apple Watch Ultra 2 at $99 or $4.99 per month
• Apple Watch Hermes at $149 or $4.99 per month

Apple Display

Devices covered by this plan:

• Apple display
• Included power cord
• One Apple-branded display stand and one Apple-branded mount when purchased at the same time

Service costs $99 for a damaged screen or enclosure, and $299 for any other damage. Two incidents are covered by insurance:

AppleCare+ for displays last three years: 

• Pro Display XDR at $499, or $179 annually
• Apple Studio Display at $149, or $49.99 annually. 

HomePod

Apple's HomePod and HomePod mini can be protected with AppleCare. 

Devices covered by this plan:

• HomePod
• AirPort device if purchased within two years of the HomePod

Repairs will cost $39 for any HomePod incident or $15 for any HomePod mini incident, and the insurance will only cover two incidents.

AppleCare+ is available for two years of coverage at $39 for the HomePod and $15 for the HomePod mini.

Headphones

The ease of loss and theft of AirPods mean AppleCare is a must for concerned owners.

Products covered by this plan:

• Your headphones
• Batteries when less than 80% capacity
• Included accessories in the box

All repairs cost $29 for any damage to any model.

AppleCare+ is available for all Apple and Beats by Dre headphones, covering two years at $29 for most models:

• AirPods
• AirPods Pro
• Beats Fit Pro
• Beats Solo3 Wireless
• Beats Studio Buds
• Beats Studio Buds+
• Beats Studio Pro
• Beats Studio3 Wireless
• Powerbeats
• Powerbeats Pro

The only exception is the $549 AirPods Max, which costs $59 for two years of coverage.

Apple TV

Apple TV is a tiny, stationary product that isn't prone to damage, but the remote can be broken or lost. So, AppleCare is still useful.

Devices covered by this plan:

• Apple TV
• Included accessories in the box

AppleCare+ for the Apple TV costs $29 for three years. It includes global repair and replacement coverage, covering the Apple TV itself, the Siri Remote, and power cord.

There are unlimited incidents for accidental damage protection, which costs $15 per incident.

AppleCare is available for the current Apple TV 4K.

Apple Vision Pro

The Apple Vision Pro has its own AppleCare+ plan, which covers the headset, the battery, and cable. It covers unlimited incidents of accidental damage, with each subject to a service fee. 

AppleCare+ costs $499 for two years of coverage, or $24.99 per month. 

Incident fees paid depend on the issue:

• $29 for damage to included accessories
• $299 for other accidental damage

Self Service Repair Program

Apple's Self Service Repair Program gives users a chance to fix  their own iPhones using certified parts and tools. Rather than take the broken device to an Apple Store or Authorized Service Provider, users can contact Apple to rent tools, order parts, and perform the repair at home.

This program exists partially as a response to the Right to Repair movement that has been clamoring for Apple-sourced tools for home repair. While it has finally arrived in some part, it comes at a high cost and moderate risk.

If you rent Apple's 80 pounds of equipment to fix an iPhone, it'll cost you only $50 but a $1,200 hold will be placed on your card in case of damage or failure to return. You get the tools for exactly one week with penalties applied for late returns.

Apple states that the parts are priced the same as if you were buying them from an Apple Store. However, it's important to note that self-repair requires ample space and technical skill. There's also the risk of further damaging your device, which could be a significant setback.

The Self Service Repair Program is a fair alternative for those who don't live near an Authorized Service Provider or tinkerers looking to self-repair. The cost of paying Apple to fix the device for you may be the cheaper, simpler option.

The program is limited to iPhones for now, with plans to expand into M-series Macs later.

AppleCare+ Review

In early 2021, AppleInsider looked at the pros and cons of AppleCare+ for iPhone.

Calculations

Assuming Apple believes that you really are this unlucky, AppleCare+ could cover you for four screen repairs, four other damages, or four battery replacements. Or if you have AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss, it could cover you for four incidents of your iPhone being stolen.

It's four incidents in total, whichever they are. So maybe you could smash the screen, break an internal connection, crack the housing, and then have it stolen.

Unquestionably, Apple has calculated the costs, and it's also added up the odds. Apple knows just how many people buy AppleCare+, and it knows too how many of those ever make any claim on it.

You need to make the same calculation, at least as far as you are able. Maybe you've never cracked an iPhone screen in all the years you've had one, or maybe you always break them.

If you're the most prone to breaking screens, and you have a 2020 iPhone SE, then four repairs outside coverage would cost you $516. Four repairs with the standard AppleCare+ would add up to either $195 or $211.76, depending on whether you pay monthly or not.

Four repairs on the iPhone SE screen under AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss would add up to $265 or $295.76.

Taking just the one-off AppleCare+ cost, without theft and loss, gives a similar picture over all the eligible iPhones. Four screen repairs on the iPhone 11 would total $265, instead of an out-of-coverage total of $796.

With the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini, four screen repairs under AppleCare+ would cost you the same $265, but without the coverage would be $916 for the iPhone 12, and $1,116 for the iPhone 12 mini.

Four screen repairs on the iPhone 12 Pro would cost you $315 with cover, and $1,116 without. And for the iPhone 12 Pro, the total would be the same $315 with AppleCare+, but without it you'd be paying $1,316."

Costs

If you never claim on AppleCare+, then it would appear to be wasted because you got no benefit from the fee. Equally, if you have one incident then under most circumstances, the total cost of repair is less if you have AppleCare+.

That would mean that if you're likely to have more than two incidents of damage in the first two years after buying an iPhone, AppleCare+ is worth it.

Of course, you can't really predict whether you're going to need AppleCare+ or not. But as well as meaning taking out AppleCare+ is a gamble, there is another side to it.

Instead of focusing on the number of times you can have your screen repaired, consider the peace of mind that comes with having AppleCare+. Having AppleCare+ means that the financial impact of something going wrong is reduced.

AppleCare+ includes 24/7 technical support in addition to the tangible benefits of repairs. You may need to utilize this support extensively to justify the cost, but the key point is that it is readily available.

That's the true benefit of AppleCare+. Understanding this and recognizing your proneness to accidents means that AppleCare+ might alleviate your anxiety when you purchase an expensive device.