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.
AppleCare+ is getting more expensive, with Apple also moving towards a subscription model. The price hike for AppleCare+ is only applicable to iPhones.
Apple is only raising prices for its protection plan in the United States for now.
Apple reportedly will make a small change to AppleCare+ payments next week. Customers will no longer have the option to prepay for two or three years of AppleCare+ coverage at retail stores.
Instead, they can only purchase AppleCare+ annually or monthly through Apple Stores. The multiyear subscription plan is not going away, though.
Apple is now giving customers an additional 15 days to renew AppleCare+ coverage for their Apple devices after the plan initially expires. The company silently increased the timeframe from 30 days to 45 days.
However, the change only applies to selected EU countries, the US, the UK, and select other markets.
A fantastic deal on the 15-inch MacBook Air knocks its price down by $200. That drops the price of the world’s slimmest laptop to as low as $1,099.
If you are looking for a sleek new laptop, the 15-inch MacBook Air is probably your best option. And that’s why you should not miss this deal.
If you’re in the market for Apple earbuds, second-gen AirPods Pro with a USB-C case are the earbuds to beat. And this hot new AirPods Pro sale slashes the $249 list price down to just $199.99 … and it comes with AppleCare+!
Plus, if you order by 11:59 a.m. Pacific on Wednesday, December 20, you can take delivery by Christmas.
The only (potential) drawback is that this AirPods Pro deal is for Costco members only. But never fear: If you’re not already a member, Cult of Mac Deals offers a great deal on a Costco membership that will let you save money on Apple gear every day of the year.
You can now subscribe to and pay for AppleCare+ annually in Canada, Australia and Japan. All Macs, plus Apple’s Pro Display XDR and Studio Display monitors, are eligible for this yearly plan.
It is also possible to renew your AppleCare+ subscription every year after that — there’s no need to stop after three years.
Apple said Thursday all small businesses in the U.S. can now sign up for its new Apple Business Essentials service. Previously in beta testing, the new service brings together device management, 24/7 Apple support and iCloud storage into flexible subscription plans.
Apple also unveiled new AppleCare+ for Business Essentials insurance options. Cupertino also made a two-month free trial available to all customers, including those who used the service in beta.
Anyone who ever paid to have their Mac or iPhone fixed, and then kicked themselves for not having AppleCare+, reportedly will get a second chance to buy the breakage insurance coverage.
That would help cover the cost of any future repairs.
If you’re planning to buy a HomePod mini and there’s any chance you might break it, you might want to pick up AppleCare+ coverage, too. Getting your speaker repaired without warranty coverage is almost as expensive as buying a brand-new HomePod mini.
Apple just made its AppleCare+ breakage insurance cover more accidents. In some cases, twice and even three times as many.
The program now offers deeply-discounted repairs on two accidents for every twelve months of coverage. Previously, it only covered a total of two repairs.
The window to buy into AppleCare+ breakage insurance is reportedly expanding enormously. Purchasing this service adds accidental damage coverage to an iPhone, Mac or other Apple product. The deadline after buying a new device is currently 60 days, but that’s apparently lengthening to up to a year.
Apple is expanding its AppleCare+ monthly plan outside the United States for the first time. It is making it available in Canada, Japan, and Australia as well.
The month-by-month coverage hasn’t launched yet in these countries. However, Apple has revealed that it is coming to these markets in one of its official support documents.
The just-released iPad Pro Magic Keyboard costs more than some iPads, and it’s possible to get AppleCare+ repair insurance for it. Just not directly.
Purchasing AppleCare+ adds accidental damage coverage to an iPad, as well as some Apple-branded accessories. That includes keyboards, like the very expensive one that debuted last week.
The new iPhone SE comes with one of the lowest-ever pricetags for a new iPhone. Keeping the new device safe from accidental damage is also ridiculously cheap compared to other iPhones as Apple cut $50 off the price tag for AppleCare+ on the iPhone SE.
Some Apple Stores in the U.S. and Canada are trialling extended eligibility periods for AppleCare+, according to a new report.
The trial, which started this week, allows Apple’s extended warranty plan to be purchased beyond the usual 60-day window. But devices must be inspected by the Genius Bar first.
Apple fans will start getting their hands on its brand-new AirPods Pro headphones this week. And they’ll want to make sure they don’t lose them. Replacing a lost bud or charging case is a pricey affair.
Apple has updated AppleCare+ so that it can be paid for on an indefinite rolling monthly basis.
Customers can now continue to receive AppleCare+ coverage for as long as they’re willing to keep paying. (Or, presumably, until Apple is unable to repair your device.) This is in contrast to the previous upfront fixed term customers could buy for Apple devices.
iOS 12.2 brought many changes and additions to the iPhone and iPad — four new Animoji (giraffe! boar!), better-quality voice messages — but one handy new feature may go unnoticed unless you know where to look. Now, you can check the expiration date of your iPhone or iPad warranty right there on the device itself.
No matter what you plan to do with your beautiful new iPad Pro, make sure you never break it. Or if you do, you better buy AppleCare+.
Apple published the pricing for replacing a broken iPad Pro on its website today and the out-of-warranty costs are so high you could nearly buy an entirely new iPad Pro.
Apple has confirmed its pricing for iPhone XR repairs and it’s surprisingly reasonable.
It will certainly leave a dent in your bank account if you break your screen without AppleCare+, but repairing an iPhone XR doesn’t cost much more than repairing an iPhone 8. It’s considerably cheaper than fixing an iPhone XS or XS Max.