What Is AppleCare? (All You Need to Know)

If you recently purchased an Apple device or are thinking about getting one, you may want to know about AppleCare. For instance, what exactly is Apple Care, and how does it work?

Well, I have been looking into this topic and have a lot of useful information that you should know, so keep reading to find out what I’ve discovered about AppleCare!

What Is AppleCare?

AppleCare is the one-year limited warranty that comes free with all Apple devices and gives you device malfunction coverage in 2024. Also, there is extended insurance protection you can purchase called AppleCare+ that gives you more benefits. For example, AppleCare+ covers accidental damage and loss, and you get two claims every 12 months.

Are you looking for additional information about AppleCare, like whether you have to pay for repairs with AppleCare? If so, continue reading as I dive into more details and specifics!

What Does AppleCare Actually Do?

AppleCare is the free limited warranty that comes with any Apple purchase, regardless of where you bought the product.

However, it only gives you hardware failure support and 90 days of phone support.

That being said, there is AppleCare+ insurance that you can purchase, which extends the warranty to two years or three years depending on what Apple device you’ve purchased.

Also, AppleCare+ offers many benefits compared to the free AppleCare coverage, like the ability to make two claims every 12 months, and it covers accidental damage, loss, and theft.

With AppleCare+, you also have priority phone and chat support, an express replacement option, low-cost deductibles, coverage for hardware failures, and more.

Do You Pay Anything If You Have AppleCare?

With AppleCare+, you’ll have to pay the monthly or annual fee to maintain the AppleCare+ coverage, and you’ll still be on the hook for a deductible if you make a claim on your device.

However, the amount of the deductible depends on what the claim is for and what device you own, and can vary greatly, so it’s important to read the details of your specific AppleCare+ plan.

For example, if your screen is cracked, the price to repair or replace it could be $29 or $99 depending on the device, but all iPad services will cost you $49 regardless of the claim.

Does AppleCare Cover a Cracked Screen?

AppleCare+ covers a cracked screen, but the free AppleCare coverage does not. Therefore, if you’re worried about cracking the screen, then it’s worth investing in AppleCare+.

That being said, AppleCare+ cracked screen repair can be $29 to $99 depending on the device, with Mac screen repair costing you $99.

How Long Is AppleCare Good For?

How Long Is AppleCare Good For?

The free AppleCare coverage is good for one year, and gives you 90-day phone and chat support, which isn’t very long since it’s a free limited warranty for all Apple devices.

However, with the AppleCare+ coverage, you’ll get two or three years of coverage depending on the device.

As well, you can extend your coverage if you want for as long as you want to pay for it.

How Much Is AppleCare Per Month?

The cost of AppleCare per month will depend on the device you want to be covered by the insurance, with more expensive Apple devices having a higher monthly AppleCare+ fee.

For example, if you’re getting AppleCare+ with a $199 plan, you will pay $9.99 per month, but a $299 plan will cost you $14.99 per month.

However, paying monthly will cost you more than if you just paid for an annual AppleCare+ insurance plan.

Can I Buy AppleCare After Purchase?

You can buy AppleCare+ 60 days after your initial Apple purchase, and it doesn’t matter where you purchased your Apple device.

Also, in some situations, you can purchase AppleCare+ up to a year later, but you have to go into an Apple Store and have a technician inspect your device.

The technician will check your device to ensure it’s eligible and not damaged already, as damaged devices are ineligible for AppleCare+ insurance coverage. 

Does AppleCare Fix Cracked Back Glass?

If you have an iPhone 12 or iPhone 13, AppleCare will now cover cracked back glass, and you only have to pay $29.

Does AppleCare Cover Scratches?

AppleCare does cover scratches that were caused by either bumps or drops since it’s part of accidental damage protection, and damage caused by everyday use, which is covered.

Does AppleCare Cover Lost or Stolen Devices?

AppleCare+ does cover lost or stolen devices, but you’ll have to pay up to an additional $100 on the AppleCare+ insurance to add lost or stolen coverage.

Furthermore, if you pay the extra $100 for lost or stolen coverage, you can make up to two claims every 12 months of either loss or theft.

To know more, you can also read our posts on Apple One, is AppleCare worth it, and is Anker Apple certified.

Conclusion

AppleCare is the free standard warranty that comes with all Apple devices and only covers hardware malfunctions, but you can opt to purchase extended AppleCare+ coverage.

Furthermore, AppleCare+ offers other benefits including accidental damage protection, and extends the warranty from one year to either two years or three years. That being said, AppleCare+ will vary in price depending on the device and coverage you choose.

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Cara Suppa

Cara Suppa has been freelance writing for over a decade and holds a BA in English and an MS in Integrated Marketing Communications. Outside of work, she is an avid cook, gardener, and discount shopper.

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