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anitak1982

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Nov 10, 2017
565
299
West Central Ohio
I got a new iPhone 12 in March and signed up for AppleCare. I would have preferred to pay the entire year outright but I cannot. I am paying $8 a month. Is it worth keeping? Do you have it? Should I keep it.
 

Spudlicious

macrumors 6502a
Nov 21, 2015
936
818
Bedfordshire, England
Tricky, very tricky. I got AppleCare for the first time with my 12PM bought in February, I just thought it was so expensive and droppable. If I need it then I'll have been wise, if not I'll feel a mug. My advice to the OP is to keep paying the $8, gravity is sure to be nasty if he doesn't.
 

Huntn

macrumors Core
May 5, 2008
23,874
26,950
The Misty Mountains
Can you keep and continue to pay for AppleCare now more than the previous time limit of a year or 2? New iPhones are so expensive, I would think AppleCare is a good gamble.
 

RRC

macrumors 68000
Nov 3, 2020
1,654
2,633
Can you keep and continue to pay for AppleCare now more than the previous time limit of a year or 2? New iPhones are so expensive, I would think AppleCare is a good gamble.

Yes, it will run for as long as you keep paying it (if you select the monthly option).
 

fredriks

macrumors member
Dec 19, 2020
67
38
I think it worth it. I payed for it on my 11 PM and now my 12 PM. If disaster is there it’s cheep
 

Huntn

macrumors Core
May 5, 2008
23,874
26,950
The Misty Mountains
Extended warranties on anything is an extremely profitable item for a business or manufacturer. I have personally never purchased one and have never wished that I had. This is one question that only YOU can answer.
For desktops, I never bought extended warranties, but for Mac laptops, I always did and it paid off half the time. So I thought it was worth it. IPhones being as expensive as they are, I bought the 1 or 2 year AppleCare for those.
 

boss.king

macrumors 603
Apr 8, 2009
6,346
7,550
If you expect to break your phone, sure. Apple charges extortionate repair fees to make it "worth it".

On the other hand, if you're careful with your stuff you might not need it.
 
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BigMcGuire

Cancelled
Jan 10, 2012
9,832
14,032
I err on the side of AppleCare+ just because it isn't that much more and replacing a device that I rely on daily would hurt the bank. It also gives you preferential treatment at Apple Stores - I've walked in with a defective device and walked out in 6 minutes with a replacement.
 

BugeyeSTI

macrumors 604
Aug 19, 2017
7,123
9,002
Arizona/Illinois
I have never purchased AppleCare+ for any of my devices except for my Apple Watch. I've been lucky and never had issues during the life of my devices but as others have stated, the cost of the devices as well as cost to repair out of pocket is getting very expensive so my next device will definitely have AppleCare+ for sure
 

blairh

macrumors 603
Dec 11, 2007
5,963
4,423
I got a new iPhone 12 in March and signed up for AppleCare. I would have preferred to pay the entire year outright but I cannot. I am paying $8 a month. Is it worth keeping? Do you have it? Should I keep it.
I have it and will keep it until I upgrade to the folding iPhone in 2023.
 
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bushman4

macrumors 601
Mar 22, 2011
4,131
3,845
If you drop your iPhone and the back cracks without AppleCare+ it’s over 500 to replace it. The screen is better this year and more resilient to cracks.
However for peace of mind. Apple Care+ is worth it especially if you intend to keep your iPhone for 2 years
 

AppleSmurf

macrumors member
Nov 12, 2020
64
75
100% worth it. Apple is expensive but it does take care of its customers with Apple care. Plus it’s a brand new phone if something goes wrong. Not refurbished
 

anitak1982

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Nov 10, 2017
565
299
West Central Ohio
Thank you. When I purchased my iPhone 10 I purchased AppleCare + and one month before I paid off my 2-year plan it started ghost texting. Craziest thing you've ever seen. I called Apple and they sent me a brand new iPhone 10 and it lasted until March when the sound started going out. Course by now my Applecare had run out. I will keep it.
 

TheGeneralist

macrumors regular
May 1, 2020
144
244
Meanwhile, I buy it for almost all our(us=family) Apple devices.
In the past, for some devices I never needed it, for others I used it.
As a rule of thumb, I'd say if you're not a very unlucky person or one of those permanently dropping your valuable devices on hard surfaces, you can get along a little bit cheaper without buying Apple Care for all devices, counting in all the repairs really required in the end being performed at full quality by Apple or on of their Premium Service Providers themselves at full repair rates.
Well, anything else would be surprising - it's an insurance, and the business model of an insurance just works like that.

But: if you have Apple Care, you can always be sure to receive better service / easier customer complaint processes (like e.g. being able to send your defect device after you received a replacement unit).
That alone is worth it from my perspective, as it makes the individual problem / defect so much easier to handle.

So I'm happy they offer prolongations on a monthly basis after the initial 2-3 year period meanwhile - will make use of that for our devices for sure!
 
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Rainshadow

macrumors 6502a
Feb 16, 2017
643
1,412
I got a new iPhone 12 in March and signed up for AppleCare. I would have preferred to pay the entire year outright but I cannot. I am paying $8 a month. Is it worth keeping? Do you have it? Should I keep it.
It doesn’t seem to be a normal experience on this thread but I’ll throw my experience out there.

I have purchased AppleCare on every iPhone, my Apple Watch once, every MacBook and I normally don’t purchase it with iPads.

I have had to “use” AppleCare on every phone. Not for broken screens - I’ve never done that. But every phone has had some defect or issue that Apple claims wouldn’t be covered. I probably could have duked it out with some genius to make them, but almost every time they tell me how much it will cost (insane) until I point out I have AppleCare. Plus, they usually provide a free replacement for the phone if I need to send it into Apple for more work (happened once).

the one time I didn’t have an issue with an iPhone, I brought the phone in at the end of my AppleCare plan to test the battery and it had depleted enough for them to provide a free replacement (before their cheaper battery policy).

Ipads, I’ve never used AppleCare, so I stopped but I will again for this new 12.9 M1. Just too much money to gamble.

Watch… idk. I haven’t used it but most of my family has broken the screen and needed a replacement. But again, the cost is low enough for me to insure the watch usually.

My MacBooks have been refurbished and it came in handy a few times. But not as crucially as IPhones.

maybe I’m just unlucky… But then again I use my devices for a long time. I think two things should be considered… how often does it leave the house and just how much does it cost to replace. If it stays at home or work and is relatively cheap <$1000-1200 then maybe not. If it’s always with you and exposed to the environment (phone/watch) or prohibitively expensive… then go for it.

?‍♂️
 

MisterMillz

macrumors 6502a
Mar 12, 2011
671
571
FL, USA
Alternatively, you now have up to a year to add AppleCare+ to your device.

My plan is to run the device as is for the first 11 months. It’s covered by Apple’s limited warranty. Then I’ll add the monthly AppleCare+. I don’t have a problem with accidental damage, so, it’ll cost me less and still keep my phone covered once the limited warranty has expired.
 

Apple_Robert

Contributor
Sep 21, 2012
35,389
51,866
In the middle of several books.
Alternatively, you now have up to a year to add AppleCare+ to your device.

My plan is to run the device as is for the first 11 months. It’s covered by Apple’s limited warranty. Then I’ll add the monthly AppleCare+. I don’t have a problem with accidental damage, so, it’ll cost me less and still keep my phone covered once the limited warranty has expired.
That scenario would be good for someone low on funds at the time of purchase. Otherwise, it makes no sense to wait 11 months as the clock for AC+ starts at the time of purchase. You aren't really gaining anything by waiting.
 
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MisterMillz

macrumors 6502a
Mar 12, 2011
671
571
FL, USA
That scenario would be good for someone low on funds at the time of purchase. Otherwise, it makes no sense to wait 11 months as the clock for AC+ starts at the time of purchase. You aren't really gaining anything by waiting.
Except AppleCare+ monthly does not expire any longer. If it did, you would be correct. So, I stand by my point. OP is the exact individual you just described. S/he stated not being able to pay for AC+ upfront. And there is zero incentive for me to pay upfront either as I stated I do not have issues with accidental damage.
 

BigMcGuire

Cancelled
Jan 10, 2012
9,832
14,032
Except AppleCare+ monthly does not expire any longer. If it did, you would be correct. So, I stand by my point. OP is the exact individual you just described. S/he stated not being able to pay for AC+ upfront. And there is zero incentive for me to pay upfront either as I stated I do not have issues with accidental damage.

I realize https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...s-more-time-to-buy-applecare-after-sales-slow says otherwise but I don’t see it on Apples website.

1621181566621.jpeg


I bought a MacBook and an iPad within the last few months and both said I have less than 60 days to purchase AppleCare+. Shrug?

I’m missing something.

”The updated program requires a user to have their device screened by an Apple retail employee to make sure it is not damaged before they can buy the plan.” I guess we would have to go into an Apple store to purchase this?
 

MisterMillz

macrumors 6502a
Mar 12, 2011
671
571
FL, USA

I realize https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...s-more-time-to-buy-applecare-after-sales-slow says otherwise but I don’t see it on Apples website.

View attachment 1775521

I bought a MacBook and an iPad within the last few months and both said I have less than 60 days to purchase AppleCare+. Shrug?

I’m missing something.
Yes, you are missing something. You have 60 days to add AC+ on device.

I would advise calling AppleCare Support or stopping into your local Apple store and speaking with someone to clear your confusion.
 

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BigMcGuire

Cancelled
Jan 10, 2012
9,832
14,032
Yes, you are missing something. You have 60 days to add AC+ on device.

I would advise calling AppleCare Support or stopping into your local Apple store and speaking with someone to clear your confusion.
From what I can see it looks like one can only sign up for this if they go into the Apple store and have their device inspected and approved. The whole point of AppleCare is to have accidental damage covered, so not having that for the first year seems to defeat the purpose for me. But yes, it looks like it could save money if you don’t have it for that first year.
 
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