Apple's Standard Warranty vs AppleCare+
Every Apple product comes with a free 1-year limited warranty and 90 days of complimentary technical support. AppleCare+ is Apple's paid extended warranty that adds additional coverage time, accidental damage protection, and priority support.
The key difference: the standard warranty only covers manufacturing defects, while AppleCare+ also covers up to 2 incidents of accidental damage per year (with a service fee).
What the Standard Apple Warranty Covers
The free 1-year Apple Limited Warranty covers:
- - Manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship
- - Battery defects (if battery health drops below 80% within the warranty period)
- - Hardware component failures under normal use
- - 90 days of complimentary technical support (phone and chat)
It does NOT cover:
- - Accidental damage (drops, spills, cracked screens)
- - Normal wear and tear
- - Unauthorized modifications or third-party repairs
- - Cosmetic damage that doesn't affect functionality
- - Software issues (though Apple provides free software support)
What AppleCare+ Adds
AppleCare+ extends your coverage and adds features the standard warranty doesn't include:
- - Extended coverage: 2 years for iPhone/iPad, 3 years for Mac
- - Accidental damage protection: Up to 2 incidents per year with service fees
- - Battery service: Free replacement if capacity drops below 80%
- - Priority access to Apple experts via chat and phone
- - Express Replacement Service (iPhone): Apple ships a replacement before you return yours
- - Monthly or upfront payment options
AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss (iPhone only) adds coverage for stolen or lost devices with a deductible.
AppleCare+ Pricing by Device (2026)
| Device | AppleCare+ Price | With Theft & Loss | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16 | $79 or $3.99/mo | $149 or $7.49/mo | 2 years |
| iPhone 16 Pro | $199 or $9.99/mo | $269 or $13.49/mo | 2 years |
| MacBook Air | $199 or $6.64/mo | N/A | 3 years |
| MacBook Pro 14" | $299 or $9.99/mo | N/A | 3 years |
| MacBook Pro 16" | $399 or $13.29/mo | N/A | 3 years |
| iPad | $79 or $3.49/mo | N/A | 2 years |
| iPad Pro | $149 or $7.49/mo | N/A | 2 years |
| Apple Watch | $49-$99 | N/A | 2 years |
| AirPods | $29-$59 | N/A | 2 years |
Prices are approximate and may vary by region.
Accidental Damage Service Fees
With AppleCare+, accidental damage repairs have a fixed service fee:
| Repair Type | iPhone | iPad | Mac |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen damage | $29 | $49 | $99 |
| Back glass (iPhone) | $29 | N/A | N/A |
| Other accidental damage | $99 | $99 | $299 |
| Theft or loss (iPhone) | $149 | N/A | N/A |
Without AppleCare+, these repairs can cost $199-$749+ depending on the device and damage.
Is AppleCare+ Worth It?
AppleCare+ makes sense if:
- - You tend to drop or damage your devices
- - You have an expensive device (MacBook Pro, iPhone Pro Max)
- - You want peace of mind and predictable repair costs
- - You don't have a credit card that offers purchase protection
Skip AppleCare+ if:
- - You're careful with your devices and rarely need repairs
- - You live in the EU (you already get 2 years of legal guarantee for free)
- - Your credit card doubles the manufacturer warranty
- - The device is inexpensive relative to the AppleCare+ cost
- - You replace devices frequently (every 1-2 years)
The math: For an iPhone 16 Pro, AppleCare+ costs $199. Without it, a screen repair costs $279-$379. If there's more than a 50% chance you'll need a screen repair in 2 years, AppleCare+ pays for itself. For Macs, where repairs can exceed $500, the calculation favors AppleCare+ more strongly.
How to Purchase AppleCare+
You can buy AppleCare+ in several ways:
- At purchase — add it when buying your Apple device (online or in-store)
- Within 60 days — buy it within 60 days of your device purchase
- Settings app (iPhone/iPad) — go to Settings → General → About → AppleCare+
- Apple Store app — open the app and go to your device
- Apple Support website — visit support.apple.com
Apple may require a diagnostic check if you add AppleCare+ after the initial purchase.
EU Residents: Do You Need AppleCare+?
If you live in the European Union, you already have a 2-year legal guarantee under EU consumer law (Directive 2019/771). This means:
- - For iPhones and iPads, AppleCare+ only adds accidental damage protection — the coverage duration is the same as your legal right
- - For Macs, AppleCare+ adds a third year of coverage plus accidental damage
- - The legal guarantee covers manufacturing defects, but NOT accidental damage
So for EU residents, AppleCare+ is mainly about accidental damage protection, not extended warranty duration. If you're careful with your devices, the EU legal guarantee may be sufficient.