What’s worth buying depends on the number and type of Apple devices you have.
iPhones, Macs and all other Apple products come with a one-year limited warranty. If you want to extend this duration and ensure that your devices are protected for a longer period of time, you will need to qualify for AppleCare. However, you have a few options under the AppleCare umbrella, and we’ll compare and review them in this article. But to summarize: AppleCare+ protects one device per plan, while an AppleCare One plan offers protection for multiple devices in a single subscription.
Should I get AppleCare+?
If you only own one Apple device, AppleCare+ is the most cost-effective option despite its recent price hike. Different models have different prices, with high-end devices being the most expensive. AppleCare+ for the iPhone 17 Pro Max, for example, costs $14 or $140 per year, while it only costs $10 per month or $100 per year for the iPhone 17e.
A subscription gives you unlimited repairs for accidents like drops and spills, 24/7 priority support, and the ability to have your device repaired at any Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider worldwide. However, its other benefits depend on the type of device you have. You can replace the batteries of devices like iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks for free once their battery health, or current maximum power capacity, reaches 80%. iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches – the devices you’re most likely to take with you when you go out – are covered by theft and loss coverage for up to two claims in a year. Some models also have an express replacement service that will loan you a device to use before you even send in your broken device.
Since AppleCare is a form of insurance, you can expect to pay service fees and deductibles for different types of repairs and replacements. Repairing damage to an iPhone’s screen or back glass will cost you $29, while a replacement if it’s stolen or lost will cost you $149. You can view the full list of franchises on Apple’s website.
To get an AppleCare+ subscription, open Settings on your device, then go to General > AppleCare & Warranty. You can also go to the AppleCare & Warranty page, choose your device, then scan the QR code that appears.
Should I buy AppleCare One instead?
AppleCare One gives you all the benefits of AppleCare+ for up to three devices with a $20 per month payment plan. Depending on your devices, this option may be cheaper than getting AppleCare+ for each one individually. That said, AppleCare One is currently only available in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Australia.
Let’s say you have an iPhone 17 Pro Max, an M4-powered 13-inch iPad Pro, and a pair of AirPods Pro 3, and you live in a region where AppleCare One is available. Getting individual plans for them will cost you $27.47 per month. That’s already a bit more than the base price of AppleCare One, so paying $20 for the subscription would be a no-brainer. Some device combinations will cost you less than $20 per month if you pay AppleCare+ for each, so be sure to check their prices on Apple’s website before making a decision.
If you want to protect more than three Apple products, you can add more at any time, including those you already own, for $6 each. Just note that most devices must be four years old or older to be eligible for AppleCare One. Headphones must be one year or less to qualify. Additionally, you can only add devices registered under your Apple account.
In case you’re wondering, AppleCare+ and AppleCare One will provide you with coverage for all cables and power adapters that come with your product. For iPads, both plans include accidental damage coverage for an Apple Pencil and Apple iPad keyboard.
