Moving forward, Apple will be giving customers more options when it comes to protecting their iPhone, iPads and Apple Watch. With the purchase of any of these devices to date, Apple includes a one-year limited warranty. You likely know this. It also gives you the option to buy AppleCare+, which extends the warranty coverage on the purchased Apple device from one year to two. You likely know this, too. What’s new is that after those two years are over, Apple is now allowing you to pay a monthly fee to extend the warranty.
The update to AppleCare+ was first spotted by 9to5Mac, and feels like a pretty big deal. On one hand, yes, it’s an another revenue stream for Apple, but it also gives customers a way to protect their purchase for longer than two years, which is great for people who hold on to their devices for several years. No doubt it’s a cheaper option than less expensive than buying a whole new iPhone or Apple Watch.
Before you get too excited, however, there are a few things to know. First, Apple’s AppleCare+ monthly subscription applies to recently purchased product only, meaning if you’ve already paid for AppleCare+ on a device, or are committed to paying installments, there’s no way to switch over to the new month-to-month plan.
Apple will also automatically cancel your AppleCare+ monthly subscription if it runs out of the necessary parts to fix it; say, in 5 years-time you still have an iPhone XS, Apple could give you a 30-day notice that you’re on-going AppleCare+ subscription will end. This makes sense of course, but it could leave some customers who don’t want to upgrade out in the cold.
It’s true that Apple currently offers AppleCare+ to all its products, including Mac, Apple TV and even AirPods (although it doesn’t cover lost AirPods), but the monthly service seems to only apply to iPhone, iPads and Apple Watch right now – we’ll see if that changes moving forward. As usually, you have 60 days to decide if you want to buy AppleCare+ after you purchase a product.
The best way to catch up on the day’s most important product releases and stories. Read the Story
