AppleCare+ has become almost synonymous with Apple device ownership. But as the extended warranty program enters 2026 with new pricing and features, it’s worth asking: Do you really need it?
A recent social media discussion among iPhone users, paired with insights from Apple’s coverage options, reveals that the answer depends heavily on which devices you own and how you use them.
Who needs AppleCare+ in 2026?
The question of whether to opt for insurance like AppleCare+ is as old as the industry itself, if a spirited discussion on Reddit is anything to go by. What if nothing goes wrong? Do I need it for just certain items? What if the company denies coverage?
Fortunately, Apple doesn’t have that reputation, which is more common (and more feared) when it comes to health insurance. But AppleCare+ can certainly add up to a significant expense, especially if you get it for all of your Apple devices.
The portable device rule
The most consistent advice from Apple users is surprisingly straightforward: Buy AppleCare+ for devices you carry around. Skip it for everything else.
“I only buy AppleCare+ on devices that are portable (phone, laptop, watch, etc.), ” said one Reddit user. “For things like HomePods, AppleTVs or iMacs/Minis, I always skip it since their risk is low to none.”
This approach makes intuitive sense — devices that leave your home face exponentially higher risks of drops, theft and accidental damage.
Another user echoed this strategy, noting they purchase coverage for MacBooks due to their high value, particularly after a family member’s unfortunate ocean incident with an iPhone.
“It did help a lot when my wife dropped hers in the ocean,” they shared.
What AppleCare+ actually covers
Photo: Apple
Apple’s extended warranty provides coverage beyond the standard one-year limited warranty that comes with every device. AppleCare+ extends hardware coverage for two years for most products (three years for Macs and displays). And it includes unlimited incidents of accidental damage protection — though each repair comes with a deductible.
The deductibles are notably lower than out-of-warranty repairs: iPhone screen or back glass damage costs just $29 to repair with AppleCare+, compared to up to $329 without it. Fixing other iPhone accidental damage carries a $99 fee, while full device repairs out of warranty can cost significantly more.
For those concerned about theft or loss, AppleCare+ offers enhanced coverage for iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches through the AppleCare One plan launched in summer 2025, which starts at $19.99 monthly for three devices. This plan also allows coverage for devices up to four years old, extending the traditional 60-day purchase window.
The math problem
Photo: Apple
Several users raised a crucial point about insurance economics.
“Just do the math,” one Redditor advised. “How much have you paid into AppleCare over the years and how much money has it saved you?” They noted that Apple wouldn’t offer the program unless it generated more revenue than payouts — a fundamental insurance principle.
Another user said they’ve been paying roughly $25 monthly for AppleCare+ across multiple devices for a decade — but only used it a couple of times. “I have been contemplating just putting that 25 bucks to the side each month and letting it build up,” they said.
One commenter with 17 years of Apple device ownership — 24 devices total, including iPhones, iPads, Macs and accessories — reported never purchasing AppleCare+.
“Most people never need to file a claim which is why these plans are so profitable for the companies,” they said.
The self-insurance alternative
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac
Several savvy users suggested creating your own “AppleCare fund.”
The strategy: Deposit the cost of AppleCare+ plus the deductible into a high-interest savings account. If you need repairs, the money is there. If not, you keep it.
“Unless you’re breaking your device a ton, that account will likely grow and you could even stop funding it for periods,” one user said.
They also recommended using credit cards with built-in mobile device insurance for phones, which can partially cover repairs in the first two years at no additional cost.
When AppleCare+ makes the most sense
Despite the skeptics, some users swear by AppleCare+. One family of four reported using coverage for two MacBooks, one iMac, three iPhones, one HomePod and one pair of AirPods Pro over 10 to 15 years.
“Ever since the first issue with my old iMac, I’ve made sure all my devices have had AppleCare,” they said. And they even managed to replace a HomePod with just three weeks left on the plan.
The consensus among users who do purchase AppleCare+ is clear: Prioritize it for expensive, portable devices. Several specifically mentioned MacBook Pros as essential coverage targets.
“I spent about $1800 for it,” one user said of their laptop purchase. “I haven’t used it yet but when something happens to my MacBook, I’ll be happy I have AC+.”
For iPhones, the calculus changes based on personal habits. Users who go caseless tend to recommend coverage, while those who use protective cases and screen protectors feel more comfortable skipping it.
One user noted they only keep iPhone coverage for one year: “After a year, if it breaks, I’m fine just replacing it.”
The verdict
Photo: Sora Shimazaki/Pexels CC
AppleCare+ isn’t essential for everyone, but it provides valuable peace of mind for specific use cases. It comes down to user risk tolerance.
The devices especially worth covering in 2026 are MacBooks (especially Pro models), iPhones for clumsy users or those who prefer caseless use, and iPads for frequent travelers. Apple Watches warrant consideration if you’re active or accident-prone.
Desktop Macs, Apple TVs, HomePods and AirPods typically don’t justify the cost unless you have documented bad luck with electronics.
As one user put it about insurance generally: “Get insurance for things you can’t easily replace without significant financial burden. Anything else, you’re just giving money away.”
The final consideration? “It’s annoying until you need it,” as one pragmatic user observed.
For many users in 2026, the smartest move is selective coverage on truly irreplaceable or high-risk devices — not a blanket policy across every Apple product they own.
Learn more about AppleCare+ at Apple.
David Snow, an expert on Apple hardware and software, writes on a variety of technological and cultural topics for Cult of Mac. They include Apple news, technology buying guides, and features about computer setups and Apple TV shows and movies.
With 30 years of experience covering technology and other subjects, he has written and edited for numerous print and online publications, including CMP Media, TechTV.com, CNET, Wired News, Red Herring magazine, Law.com, The National Law Journal and Law Technology News magazine. Among other roles, he served as executive editor of the Law.com network of websites and editorial director, technology, for ALM Media.
Snow graduated with a B.A. from Syracuse University with majors in magazine journalism and psychology. While there, he worked as a reporter for The Daily Orange newspaper and associate editor of Equal Time magazine.
Founder of the blog At the Waterline, he can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) via @atthewaterline and on Mastodon via @dsnow.
