AppleCare+ Policy Change Coming to Apple Stores

[FlyingDutch]

I've bought Apple Care for one phone; didn't use it. Bought Apple Care for two laptops; didn't use it. I just don't buy it anymore.

Valid until next time you drop your iPhone or you spill some coffee on your laptop keyboard…

Not particularly dramatic. One of the downsides to an ongoing subscription model, often with an auto-pay arrangement, is that if something serious happens to the person who handles the arrangement, a number of extra payments can get sucked out before a spouse or other relative gets around to checking where credit card and bank transactions are going, gets ahold of log-in info., etc... 'Dangerous' is a bit debatable, but waste is a clear risk (and you put it in quotes, but I don't see where I used the term).

Perhaps everyone 'should' at least be informed of everything, including subscriptions, much as they arguable should diet and exercise in such a way no one is overweight or obese, always wear eye protection when using a hammer, test their smoke alarms monthly and a range of other things many people don't do. Personal responsibility counts for something, but so does grace for human nature.

Which is why I like to see both options, subscription and pay up front, offered together. I have no desire to see the subscription option end.

Wow dude… you are living constantly thinking you could die tomorrow. Seriously… 😵‍💫

There are shades of gray. You're not the 1st to assert Apple's customers don't tend to be financially struggling, but I've seen a number of threads with hand-wringing over whether to get a M4 or M4 Pro, whether to get the 256 gig SSD or pay for the upgrade to 512 gig, or 16 gig RAM should do fine but is the cost of upgrading to 24 gig worth the future proofing? We could quibble over what counts as financially struggling, but clearly a number of Apple's customers don't spend money all that freely.

My point is if you are even considering an M4, your are not financially struggling. You can still want to not waste your money, but you are considering buying an expensive device. So a few dollars for a subscriptions are not such a big drama.

If you're getting new phones and watches annually, why pay for AC+ at all?

Accidental damage. Ever heard about that. I’m using AC+ basically for that.

 

[A1423]

Not particularly dramatic. One of the downsides to an ongoing subscription model, often with an auto-pay arrangement, is that if something serious happens to the person who handles the arrangement, a number of extra payments can get sucked out before a spouse or other relative gets around to checking where credit card and bank transactions are going, gets ahold of log-in info., etc... 'Dangerous' is a bit debatable, but waste is a clear risk (and you put it in quotes, but I don't see where I used the term).

Perhaps everyone 'should' at least be informed of everything, including subscriptions, much as they arguable should diet and exercise in such a way no one is overweight or obese, always wear eye protection when using a hammer, test their smoke alarms monthly and a range of other things many people don't do. Personal responsibility counts for something, but so does grace for human nature.

Which is why I like to see both options, subscription and pay up front, offered together. I have no desire to see the subscription option end.

There are shades of gray. You're not the 1st to assert Apple's customers don't tend to be financially struggling, but I've seen a number of threads with hand-wringing over whether to get a M4 or M4 Pro, whether to get the 256 gig SSD or pay for the upgrade to 512 gig, or 16 gig RAM should do fine but is the cost of upgrading to 24 gig worth the future proofing? We could quibble over what counts as financially struggling, but clearly a number of Apple's customers don't spend money all that freely.

Just because someone can afford something, doesn’t mean they flippantly decide to spend hundreds of dollars just because they can.

I personally have the attitude of buying 2-3 steps above what I need. It’s been working for me so far, over the last couple of decades. Could I just decide to max out my next mbp, yes. Am I, not unless my needs dictate that approach.

The assertion that Apple modify its strategy because people don’t know how to use credit cards, or aren’t financially responsible enough to where at most a $13.49 would screw them up, is ridiculous. And if something serious happens to where the financially literate person, is incapacitated. Well that’s life. I’m guessing explaining the situation to most company’s would get a lot of good will sent your way.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Valid until next time you drop your iPhone or you spill some coffee on your laptop keyboard…

As I said later, I can afford to replace my phone or laptop if anything happens.

The money I would have spent on AppleCare over the years has already bought a new phone and/or laptop.

Edit: I also buy my devices with my AMEX Gold, which gives an additional year warranty.

 

[Yebubbleman]

Can't wait to see what the Apple apologists have to say on this one!

 

[Little Endian]

It’s better monthly as you can extend it beyond the 2 years.

Not really you could buy the 2 years upfront and Apple gives the option to extend after 2 years and go monthly.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

I pay mine monthly anyways. Upfront might be a little bit cheaper, but this way I'm not out if I decide to ditch whatever product at some point.

 

[Student of Life]

I would personally like some clarification here. When AppleCare is purchased in advance, it’s tied to the product and thus transferable.

Month to month plans are not transferable, or had this been changed?

This basically kills the secondary market, I personally only purchase items with apple care for my peace of mind. For example one could be selling an Apple Watch but if it doesnt have AppleCare it no longer interests me.

 

[eXoenDo]

I would personally like some clarification here. When AppleCare is purchased in advance, it’s tied to the product and thus transferable.

Month to month plans are not transferable, or had this been changed?

This basically kills the secondary market, I personally only purchase items with apple care for my peace of mind. For example one could be selling an Apple Watch but if it doesnt have AppleCare it no longer interests me.

According to this support article, Monthly or Annual plans tied to an Apple ID are not transferrable. That being said - it sounds like if you buy in store and never tie it to your Apple ID, there's a chance it can be transferred?

 

[Student of Life]

According to this support article, Monthly or Annual plans tied to an Apple ID are not transferrable. That being said - it sounds like if you buy in store and never tie it to your Apple ID, there's a chance it can be transferred?

Yeah but monthly plans are tied to your Apple ID, how else would they charge you? Basically it's not transferable unfortunately. The annual plans are for computers, that comes into play after the original AppleCare plan expires. Just frustrating overall.

 

[Tagbert]

My MBA is too heavy to bring with me out, comparing to the modells Ive did. My earlier 2018 was going with me on most trips. So I’m fine without AppleCare with this one, as it doesn’t.

FYI There is only a tiny difference in weight between that 2018 and the current MBA and the newer one is lighter. It’s easy to get fooled by that thin leading edge. Overall thickness is greater in the 2018, too, other than that edge. It’s all about appearances.

• 2018 13” MBA 2.75 lb
• 2022 13” MBA 2.7 lb

 

[eXoenDo]

Yeah but monthly plans are tied to your Apple ID, how else would they charge you? Basically it's not transferable unfortunately. The annual plans are for computers, that comes into play after the original AppleCare plan expires. Just frustrating overall.

If you buy via Retail, they're not tied to your Apple ID by default. Whatever card you swipe/pay for it with gets charged and it shows up in the Support/Settings app as a plan you can tie to your Apple ID, but if you don't do that it just keeps charging the original card.

 

[Lioness~]

FYI There is only a tiny difference in weight between that 2018 and the current MBA and the newer one is lighter. It’s easy to get fooled by that thin leading edge. Overall thickness is greater in the 2018, too, other than that edge. It’s all about appearances.

• 2018 13” MBA 2.75 lb
• 2022 13” MBA 2.7 lb

Might be re. weight - the sizes were different, as below, the 2017/2018 case on the 2024
The depth is big difference.

 

[Tomasulu]

I pay mine monthly anyways. Upfront might be a little bit cheaper, but this way I'm not out if I decide to ditch whatever product at some point.

You get refund for any unexpired service when you canceled any Apple subscription.

 

[AppleEnthusiast1995]

Apple really has become more of a service company anyways, where the hardware is the gateway to the services and subscriptions. Framing it this way, the AppleCare+ moving to monthly makes more sense.

 

[maxoakland]

That’s ensh•tt•f•cation

 

[Javert24601]

Rent, health insurance, auto insurance, etc. are all subscriptions.

True, that is an interesting way of looking at things....

 

[brofkand]

If you're getting new phones and watches annually, why pay for AC+ at all?

So he can get an anniversary card from Tim Cook S.W.A.K in the mail.

 

[MacUser09]

Obviously not enough profit in it already.

 

[JippaLippa]

It’s better monthly as you can extend it beyond the 2 years.

I have to say, I kinda wish I went that way with my 2022 mac studio, as it's going to lose its apple care in May.
I thought I was going to replace it with an M4 Ultra this year, but it seems to not be the case.

 

[Student of Life]

I have to say, I kinda wish I went that way with my 2022 mac studio, as it's going to lose its apple care in May.
I thought I was going to replace it with an M4 Ultra this year, but it seems to not be the case.

You can still extend it. When it expires you get 30 days to do a year to year AppleCare on computers. Thats what I am doing on a 27 iMac I have.

The only thing you cant extend are AirPods or AirPods Max which is frustrating.

 

[Osxguy]

Simply untrue it's super easy to cancel, AC+ appears in the App Store under 'Subscriptions' next to every other subscription you have, tap cancel and it's done.

Have you done it. If you return your phone with out unsubscribing to these services it doesn't show up. But thanks

 

[JippaLippa]

You can still extend it. When it expires you get 30 days to do a year to year AppleCare on computers. Thats what I am doing on a 27 iMac I have.

The only thing you cant extend are AirPods or AirPods Max which is frustrating.

Great to know!

 

[aw1998]

Have you done it. If you return your phone with out unsubscribing to these services it doesn't show up. But thanks

Yes, I have done it every year that a new iPhone has launched since the monthly AC+ option was available.

 

[Osxguy]

Yes, I have done it every year that a new iPhone has launched since the monthly AC+ option was available.

But have you done if after you sent the phone in? I’m guessing nope that was what I was saying if you don’t cancel it before sending it in you cannot do it from the phone you have to call customer service.

 

[Momof2.1107]

But have you done if after you sent the phone in? I’m guessing nope that was what I was saying if you don’t cancel it before sending it in you cannot do it.

I didn’t cancel the AppleCare+ on my 14PM before trading it in for the 15PM in 2023. Apple sent me an email stating that I was eligible for a refund of the unused AppleCare+ from my 14PM that I ended up receiving late last year.