Apple Giving Users in U.S. and Canada Up to One Year to Buy AppleCare+

[Shirasaki]

So now the question is, when will Apple roll this out to other markets, like the forgotten Australia (STILL waiting for ECG)? Also, having a whole year before buying AppleCare is kinda nice as 60-day is a bit easy to dismiss when you are occupied and forgot about it.

 

[Foxglove9]

Glad they brought that option back.

 

[Doomtomb]

Do not be fooled, extending the amount of time you have to buy this is just to get more revenue.

 

[unQuestionable]

Does this backdate to date of iPhone purchase or does it begin when from AppleCare+ purchase date?

 

[LeadingHeat]

2 years is 1-year free coverage plus 1-year extension. So you are actually only paying for 1 additional year.

AppleCare+ covers accidental damage. The included 1 year is just for hardware defects.

 

[coolfactor]

Very cool! Thank you Apple!
(seriously though)

This is the right decision. Not everybody is sure about AppleCare+ in the first 30 (or 60) days. A year is very generous, but also makes good sense. Thanks Apple!

 

[simonmet]

Good luck. Keep us posted....

Apple appears to be making it very difficult if not flat out impossible to buy the policy, even when attempting to do so from the US with a US credit card (an Apple card no less).

I don’t fully understand why, because the device could be located in the US and it would be very easy to make it appear so. I could also get my brother who lives in America to temporarily log into the device, but I haven’t tried that yet.

The problem appears to be that it was bought and first activated in Australia, where it currently still resides. It’s currently about 8 months old. I don’t fully understand the problem because Apple’s warranties were always supposed to be global were they not? Before COVID at least people used to move internationally all the time.

I would probably choose to buy AppleCare+ including loss and theft cover were they to make it available here, so they’re only missing out on the sale by not offering it in more regions (yet).

 

[ghanwani]

I tried to buy it for my 11-month old MBA but not being allowed to.

 

[furbzv1]

anyone been able to add to their watch? I missed my window (bought in Nov '19) but cannot seem to add it online.

 

[johnnytravels]

I just want to remind everyone that AppleCare is just insurance.

If you're the type that doesn't drop/break your devices, and you tend to keep your hardware for a long time, it's probably not worth it.

I did the math years ago and stopped buying AppleCare; the money saved on avoiding AppleCare over several phones can easily pay for multiple iPhone repairs at full out of warranty cost. Do the math and avoid possibly wasting your money.

I tend to agree: If you purchase a new device directly from Apple (particularly so in the EU with its two years of mandatory warranty provided for by the vendor) and you generally take good care of your devices, you don't need Apple Care.
I still believe that it is a good option in one particular case: If you get a used Apple device (eBay, Craigslist etc) for a good price, it is a good idea to put some Apple Care on it. Sometimes it's hard to know what the device has actually been through, and having that extra peace of mind is worth the fee in my opinion.

 

[patent10021]

This is how it should've been globally since the beginning. All products have a one year warranty so naturally, you should be allowed to purchase more within that year.

But of course this is groundbreaking right.

 

[TravelsInBlue]

People thanking Apple for allowing them to give them more money for something that's clearly super profitable.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

IIRC, this was changed with AppleCare+ accidental coverage (both Mac and iOS) as an option.

That's actually a good point. I wonder how they'll be verifying that your device didn't break prior to your purchase of AppleCare, since the normal warranty doesn't cover accidental damage. Will there be a waiting period or maybe they'll require you visit an Apple Store for a Genius to verify the device's condition?

edit: Nevermind, I figured it out. They have you run a remote diagnostic when purchasing.

 

[gcooldude86]

Tried contacting Apple support in Canada and the rep said its not official from Apple. Trying to get it on my iPhone 11 Pro Max from last December. Said 60 days after purchase.

 

[beanbaguk]

If the EU and UK warranties extend to accidental damage, then they truly are obviating the need to purchase AC+.

No, they don't. But most banks in the UK offer accidental coverage as standard on current accounts, and regardless of that, you can cover ALL your devices through accidental damage from other providers including banks like Revolut for just a few pennies per month.

As an example, I smashed my iPhone 5S (years ago), while cycling and it came out of my pocket. Called up insurance, paid a £35 excess (at the time), and a new refurbished phone was sent to me within 24 hours. I just had to return the old one in a supplied pre-paid box within 14 days to avoid a pre-approved charge to my credit card. Simple as that.

I've always done the sums and AppleCare+ is just a rip-off in Europe.

 

[ChrisBos]

Sooo...back to the original AppleCare window before + rolled out?

I wonder if they'll bring back the "anytime" EDU discount on AppleCare, too. I recently made my first purchase (MBP) using EDU in a very long time, and received a message at checkout saying the discounted price was only available if you add it when buying your device. I was getting it anyway, but it took me by surprise.

 

[ChrisBos]

2 years is 1-year free coverage plus 1-year extension. So you are actually only paying for 1 additional year.

Well, technically you're getting 1 year, 9mos of phone support as well (2.9 on Mac). It probably doesn't matter as much given things like live chat and the sheer volume of Apple Stores/AASPs out there now, but can still be a game changer for many people.

 

[celo48]

AFAIR, it was this way before. Then they changed. This is a better decision IMO. More people will buy Applecare I think.

 

[Fishcake21]

Nice compliment disguised as an insult

Never own an apple product? You never buy a first generation of anything, because they will iron the issues out on 2nd/3rd gen

 

[RedRaven571]

Someone please correct me, but, if I understand several of the posts here, as long as I continue to pay the monthly Applecare+ subscription, my watch/iPhone/iPad will be covered, INDEFINITELY?

 

[incoherent_1]

This is definitely not true

Came here just to upvote this. What that other user said is incorrect and will give people the wrong idea.

 

[7thson]

Someone please correct me, but, if I understand several of the posts here, as long as I continue to pay the monthly Applecare+ subscription, my watch/iPhone/iPad will be covered, INDEFINITELY?

The monthly AC+ plans seem to be a slightly neutered version of “paid in full” AC+. For example, the monthly plan can’t be transferred when the device is sold or given to another person. I’d say give Apple a call for clarity, but you might need to wait for them to get clarity on the matter first, based on some of the accounts experiences above.

 

[ghanwani]

This stuff is so complex, it's starting to rival the complexity of health insurance plans!

 

[SZhama]

Tried to do this on an iPad purchased in March 2020. Got denied. They said this program is being piloted in Canada not the US.

 

[gcooldude86]

Tried to do this on an iPad purchased in March 2020. Got denied. They said this program is being piloted in Canada not the US.

Weird, I tried adding it to my 11 Pro Max in Canada that was purchased in November 2019 and was denied, only available in Canada 60 days after purchase.