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

[D.T.]

I think what is confusing people is that yes, AppleCare+ begins the day you purchase it. However, it’s coverage ends two years after the activation of the device, at which point month to month coverage can be purchased.

Purchasing AC+ 59 days after the device purchase date isn’t gaming the system into getting 2 years and 59 days of AC+ coverage.

re: the underlined

It must be different for computers (I think you may be referencing iPhones since you say a 2-year plan).

The last two machines I purchased, I wound up getting AC+ ~55 days after the purchase date, and in both cases, when looking up the expiration of the coverage, it's listed as ~55 days later than the activation and/or purchase date of the computer. In other words, it's not getting cut short, it shows a full 3 years of AC+, plus the days I waited.

So my current machine is an '18 Mac Mini. Here's the original purchase:

I activated the machine that same day. That would suggest AC+ added anytime in the 60 days following, would give me AC+ through roughly Sept 20th of 2022.

However, this is my Mini service status:

Note that it's Nov 5th 2022. So at the end of the day, I definitely will have coverage for ~3 years and 55 or so days, even if the first ~55 wasn't technically AC+ (and just the original factory/base warranty).

FYI, we also have an iPad, it was used, originally purchased (first owner) in mid-January, maybe it wasn't activated as it was essentially in mint/unused condition, but I scored AC+ for it when I received it in March of 2020, and it's covered through March 2022. Again, that may be a different case vs. the computer example above

 

[7thson]

re: the underlined

It must be different for computers (I think you may be referencing iPhones since you say a 2-year plan).

The last two machines I purchased, I wound up getting AC+ ~55 days after the purchase date, and in both cases, when looking up the expiration of the coverage, it's listed as ~55 days later than the activation and/or purchase date of the computer. In other words, it's not getting cut short, it shows a full 3 years of AC+, plus the days I waited.

So my current machine is an '18 Mac Mini. Here's the original purchase:

View attachment 945208


I activated the machine that same day. That would suggest AC+ added anytime in the 60 days following, would give me AC+ through roughly Sept 20th of 2022.

However, this is my Mini service status:

View attachment 945213


Note that it's Nov 5th 2022. So at the end of the day, I definitely will have coverage for ~3 years and 55 or so days, even if the first ~55 wasn't technically AC+ (and just the original factory/base warranty).

FYI, we also have an iPad, it was used, originally purchased (first owner) in mid-January, maybe it wasn't activated as it was essentially in mint/unused condition, but I scored AC+ for it when I received it in March of 2020, and it's covered through March 2022. Again, that may be a different case vs. the computer example above

Yes, I was referencing AC+ for iPhones/iPads. It must be different for Macs, because it's always been the activation date for my iPhones. I bought a used MacBook Pro 2015, from here actually, and it was inside the 1 year window to purchase AC+, but I recall the plan expiring 3 years after the activation date of the laptop, not the purchase date of the plan. I'm either very confused or Apple has changed the protocol.

 

[0924487]

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.

That support line limit is only for "your fault" support if it is Apple's fault, phone support etc are free.

For example, if you ask Apple in year 2 how to set up wifi on iPhone for my new home and how to add a new email to iPhone, yes, you have to pay for it.

For example, if you found a bug on your iPhone that you have to plugin to reboot the iPhone, and you have to type in the password 4 times after any reboot, then you don't need to pay for Apple Support.

 

[ghanwani]

I bought a used MacBook Pro 2015, from here actually, and it was inside the 1 year window to purchase AC+...

Was that AC or AC+? It used to be you could add AC within the first year, not AC+. AC+ includes damage from accidents, AC does not. When I was trying to extend the warranty on my 2017 MBP, it was only eligible for AC (not for AC+), and it added a total of 3 years of coverage from the original device purchase date.

 

[7thson]

Was that AC or AC+? It used to be you could add AC within the first year, not AC+. AC+ includes damage from accidents, AC does not. When I was trying to extend the warranty on my 2017 MBP, it was only eligible for AC (not for AC+), and it added a total of 3 years of coverage from the original device purchase date.

AC+. I thought AC (90 days technical support, 1 year hardware support) was what the device came with and AC+ is the upgrade that gives accidental damage protection and another year of hardware support.

 

[D.T.]

Yes, I was referencing AC+ for iPhones/iPads. It must be different for Macs, because it's always been the activation date for my iPhones. I bought a used MacBook Pro 2015, from here actually, and it was inside the 1 year window to purchase AC+, but I recall the plan expiring 3 years after the activation date of the laptop, not the purchase date of the plan. I'm either very confused or Apple has changed the protocol.

Well, I am usually confused so join the club

I'll check Wife or Daughter's iPhones, they both have AC+, I think I got it pretty long after the activation (they were new for Christmas, and sat unactivated for like a month).

Well, heck, let me do it right now ... I know activation was Xmas day 2019 ... just a moment

OK, so Wife's iPhone 11 Pro, I bought Dec 8th (BestBuy), she opened it on Christmas, activated it, so Dec 25th 2019, and her AC+ expiration (since I waited over 30 days), shows Feb 6th, 2022.

 

[7thson]

Well, I am usually confused so join the club

I'll check Wife or Daughter's iPhones, they both have AC+, I think I got it pretty long after the activation (they were new for Christmas, and sat unactivated for like a month).

Well, heck, let me do it right now ... I know activation was Xmas day 2019 ... just a moment

OK, so Wife's iPhone 11 Pro, I bought Dec 8th (BestBuy), she opened it on Christmas, activated it, so Dec 25th 2019, and her AC+ expiration (since I waited over 30 days), shows Feb 6th, 2022.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ just looked at mine and it's tied to the activation. I noticed this bit of info though, it says "estimated expiration date".

 

[D.T.]

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ just looked at mine and it's tied to the activation. I noticed this bit of info though, it says "estimated expiration date".

Hahaha, the ways of Apple are mysterious and unknowable ...

 

[7thson]

I give up. I thought I was bringing clarity to this thread, but clearly not.

 

[UnusedLoginID]

Every apple device I've purchased I wait until day 59 to order Apple Care.

Your 2 years starts from that date.

Wrong! You should read the fine print and never make assumptions.
No matter when you buy it, it starts from the day the product was purchased.

 

[TiggrToo]

That’s not true. It’s from the date of purchase.

AppleCare

Enjoy easy 24/7 support, fast repairs for accidental damage, and peace of mind with theft and loss coverage — for one or all your products.

www.apple.com

 

[erniefairchild1]

Purchase date. Extended warranty is always extended from the provided 12 months.

You are paying for 1 extra year to what you get without it.

if you purchase the full 2-years for AppleCare+ up-front, the 2 years begins on the date you purchase the AppleCare+. It is not retroactive. You pay for two years, you get two years. This is confirmed by Apple.

 

[erniefairchild1]

Wrong! You should read the fine print and never make assumptions.
No matter when you buy it, it starts from the day the product was purchased.

You may have been correct in the past, but you are wrong in the context of the new policy. Elsewhere in this thread someone has posted a screenshot of the relevant text from Apple.com.

 

[erniefairchild1]

Yes, I was referencing AC+ for iPhones/iPads. It must be different for Macs, because it's always been the activation date for my iPhones. I bought a used MacBook Pro 2015, from here actually, and it was inside the 1 year window to purchase AC+, but I recall the plan expiring 3 years after the activation date of the laptop, not the purchase date of the plan. I'm either very confused or Apple has changed the protocol.

It is not different, as far as what Apple has told me.

 

[SZhama]

Soooo...has anybody been able to get the applecare warranty after the 60 days?

 

[Jro29]

if you purchase the full 2-years for AppleCare+ up-front, the 2 years begins on the date you purchase the AppleCare+. It is not retroactive. You pay for two years, you get two years. This is confirmed by Apple.

Yes, but people are claiming to be gaming the system. They think that they are covered under the standard warranty for that first 60 days. But they aren't. If they drop the phone before they buy the AppleCare, they are screwed.

 

[applebro]

This is great news

 

[erniefairchild1]

Yes, but people are claiming to be gaming the system. They think that they are covered under the standard warranty for that first 60 days. But they aren't. If they drop the phone before they buy the AppleCare, they are screwed.

Absolutely, thanks for the clarification on what was being said!

 

[cargobrian]

Soooo...has anybody been able to get the applecare warranty after the 60 days?

I am trying right now. I am on hold with Apple

 

[bag99001]

I was surprised to find that wasn’t the case when I purchased AC+ for my laptop on the last day that it was eligible.

there’s no way it extends it beyond three years from purchase.

 

[TiggrToo]

there’s no way it extends it beyond three years from purchase.

Beyond, no. Until, yes. If you purchase it on the last possible day then yes, it would indeed seem you’d get a total of 3 years of “some sort” of protection.

However AC+ protection is not available in the first year until AC+ is purchased.

 

[erniefairchild1]

Beyond, no. Until, yes. If you purchase it on the last possible day then yes, it would indeed seem you’d get a total of 3 years of “some sort” of protection.

However AC+ protection is not available in the first year until AC+ is purchased.

Ever since AppleCare+ has been available on a monthly payment basis, you can extend coverage until Apple will no longer service the device. That can definitely extend beyond 3 years. Also, if AppleCare+ was purchased in whole first, for the two year period, you can then transition to monthly payments after the 2 years are up, and continue coverage until Apple will no longer service. That could also extend beyond 3 years. At least for mobile devices, as far I was told by Apple.

 

[TiggrToo]

Ever since AppleCare+ has been available on a monthly payment basis, you can extend coverage until Apple will no longer service the device. That can definitely extend beyond 3 years. Also, if AppleCare+ was purchased in whole first, for the two year period, you can then transition to monthly payments after the 2 years are up, and continue coverage until Apple will no longer service. That could also extend beyond 3 years. At least for mobile devices, as far I was told by Apple.

That’s fine, but this conversation is about the initial 2 year plan, not the month to month one.

 

[SZhama]

I am trying right now. I am on hold with Apple

Any news?

 

[gcooldude86]

I am trying right now. I am on hold with Apple

What country are you from? I tried online chat with Apple in Canada earlier today with no luck