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iPhone 16 Pro Cant get Applecare+ with the iPhone 16 Pro anymore?

dmccombs

dmccombs

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
May 13, 2013
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I ordered an iPhone 16 Pro today online today, and picked it up in the local store. They asked me I wanted to add Applecare, and I said no, I would add it later at home, and turn it off my old phone.

So I get home today and went to add Applecare+. It looks like I can only add the more expensive Applecare with Theft. I have tried to do it from my phone, and from the Apple website. I can not find an option for the basic Applecare+.

I knew they were removing 2-year plans, but I didn't know getting basic AppleCare+ would be a problem. Does anyone know how to get the Applecare+ added? I don't want the Theft protection. I hope we don't have to call in for this. That would be ridiculous.
 
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dmccombs said:
I ordered an iPhone 16 Pro today online today, and picked it up in the local store. They asked me I wanted to add Applecare, and I said no, I would add it later at home, and turn it off my old phone.

So I get home today and went to add Applecare+. It looks like I can only add the more expensive Applecare with Theft. I have tried to do it from my phone, and from the Apple website. I can not find an option for the basic Applecare+.

I knew they were removing 2-year plans, but I didn't know getting basic AppleCare+ would be a problem. Does anyone know how to get the Applecare+ added? I don't want the Theft protection. I hope we don't have to call in for this. That would be ridiculous.
Click to expand...
Maybe you'll get the option to go monthly AppleCare+ after the factory warranty expires. You should of asked what options were available during purchase. I thought the only way to get the $199 pay upfront option was to purchase it in-store..
 
BugeyeSTI said:
Maybe you'll get the option to go monthly AppleCare+ after the factory warranty expires. You should of asked what options were available during purchase. I thought the only way to get the $199 pay upfront option was to purchase it in-store..
Click to expand...
I had no way of knowing that Apple made this more difficult when I was still in the store. Up until 2 weeks ago, you could add the basic Applecare (monthly or yearly) easily for 60 days, by yourself. I figured I'd just do it myself when I was bored at home.

It looks like Apple has discontinued the basic Applecare and only offers the Applecare w/ Theft. If that is the case, I won't get Applecare. And, if they have made it difficult to sign up for I will also skip Applecare. It looks like Apple is doing another money-grab.
 
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From what I understand, you can only add the basic AppleCare at the time of purchase(online only), or if you do the iPhone upgrade program if you are in the United States. Sucks, but yea, they got rid of it about two weeks ago.
 
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SupremeMayo said:
From what I understand, you can only add the basic AppleCare at the time of purchase(online only), or if you do the iPhone upgrade program if you are in the United States. Sucks, but yea, they got rid of it about two weeks ago.
Click to expand...
Interesting... I guess they could make it harder, ...if they really, really tried...

Well, this is saving me money then. I wont have AC on my new phone, and I just cancelled it one of my ipads (since it mostly stays in the house). I'll be saving $200+ dollars on AC this year. 💩 😂
 
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Honestly, I can’t fault you! . I have AppleCare on most of my products but I am considering cancelling it on my 14 inch M1. Have it on my 16 Pro and iPad, skipped it on my Vision Pro because the deductibles didn’t really make much sense to me. But back to what you said,I am not a fan of how Apple took options away from us. Most people don’t need Theft and Loss…
 
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SupremeMayo said:
From what I understand, you can only add the basic AppleCare at the time of purchase(online only), or if you do the iPhone upgrade program if you are in the United States. Sucks, but yea, they got rid of it about two weeks ago.
Click to expand...
I just went through the paces to purchase a new 16 ProMax online and it only gave the option to purchase AC with theft. Apple Watch still has option for AC+ monthly and so did the iPad. I guess the iPhone is the only one where you have to purchase AC+ in-store. Not sure if you can go back to store and add it or if it's only available at purchase
 
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BugeyeSTI said:
I just went through the paces to purchase a new 16 ProMax online and it only gave the option to purchase AC with theft. Apple Watch still has option for AC+ monthly and so did the iPad. I guess the iPhone is the only one where you have to purchase AC+ in-store. Not sure if you can go back to store and add it or if it's only available at purchase
Click to expand...
Thanks for the additional info.

Maybe I could go back into the store, and maybe I could call Apple and spend 30-60 minutes talking with reps. But, if Apple is going to make it difficult, I will just save my money. 🙄
 
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dmccombs said:
Thanks for the additional info.

Maybe I could go back into the store, and maybe I could call Apple and spend 30-60 minutes talking with reps. But, if Apple is going to make it difficult, I will just save my money. 🙄
Click to expand...
I would think there's a way to add it. Apple definitely wouldn't mind receiving a monthly AC+ payment considering some customers never actually have to use it. It's money in their pocket.. When you find out, update this thread so others will know how to deal with the situation
 
Assuming you're in the US, why not just return and re-purchase the same device? You can keep it set up with all your information, just turn off Find My and ask them to do an open-box return and re-purchase. You might be able to purchase AC+ at that time.
 
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SumYoungGai said:
Assuming you're in the US, why not just return and re-purchase the same device? You can keep it set up with all your information, just turn off Find My and ask them to do an open-box return and re-purchase. You might be able to purchase AC+ at that time.
Click to expand...
As @BugeyeSTI mentioned above, it isn't even an option when purchasing online now. And like I said above, if Apple wants to make it difficult, I will save my money. I definitely am not going to go through the hassle of a return, and re-setup, just to buy AC when Apple is doing a money grab.

This is a greedy move by Apple, and I am voting with my dollars.
 
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dmccombs said:
I ordered an iPhone 16 Pro today online today, and picked it up in the local store. They asked me I wanted to add Applecare, and I said no, I would add it later at home, and turn it off my old phone.

So I get home today and went to add Applecare+. It looks like I can only add the more expensive Applecare with Theft. I have tried to do it from my phone, and from the Apple website. I can not find an option for the basic Applecare+.

I knew they were removing 2-year plans, but I didn't know getting basic AppleCare+ would be a problem. Does anyone know how to get the Applecare+ added? I don't want the Theft protection. I hope we don't have to call in for this. That would be ridiculous.
Click to expand...
I just went through this yesterday when I went to my local Apple Store to add on the AppleCare+ to my new 16. (I had 24 days left to add it on.) Trying to add it on the phone itself gave me only the $11.99 AppleCAre+ with Loss and Theft option. I was told at the store that effective 2/4/25, that was the only option for iPhones. I am so mad, since the chance I will lose my phone or have it stolen is very minimal. I DO NOT want to pay for something I will never use.

If you pay for one year in advance it works out to $10 a month which I believe is what the monthly fee used to be for the regular Apple Care+ on the newer phones. SO if you pay a year at a time, it works out OK, but if you want to pay month to month it's an extra dollar. OR SOMETHING. The point is, Apple SHOULD be above all this petty nickel and dime-ing crap.
 
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If you go to the Apple Store they can sell you AppleCare on the phone for up to two years of purchase (as long as it is not damaged) and they have all AppleCare options available to sell you
 
This was actually reported by Mark Gurman, not sure why MacRumors didn’t pick up on it: https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/busines...nvites-app-care-changes-in-subscription-push/

Also from other tech news sites:

AppleCare Plus is getting more expensive

Theft and Loss coverage will be included automatically for some.
www.theverge.com

AppleCare For IPhone Sees Price Increase: What You Need To Know - AppleMagazine

AppleCare for iPhone just became more expensive. Discover how the price increase affects coverage, service fees, and whether the protection plan is still worth it.
applemagazine.com

Apple to do away with multi-year Apple Care+ option at physical Apple Stores

Apple insider Mark Gurman says Apple will make a change to AppleCare+ next week.
www.phonearena.com

Buying AppleCare+ In-Store? Subscription Is Now Your Only Option

Apple drops the option to pay for two years of coverage upfront in Apple Stores, though you can still do that online. Monthly fees are also now slightly more expensive.
www.pcmag.com
 
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I could only add AC+ monthly or Yearly on my new m4 max, I bought at micro center from the device. I just called Apple and they added the 3 year AC+. Microcenter employees did tell me that I need to add 3 year AC+ at the time of purchase or call Apple after you buy. It took me 2 mins to get it.
 
CrapShack said:
I just went through this yesterday when I went to my local Apple Store to add on the AppleCare+ to my new 16. (I had 24 days left to add it on.) Trying to add it on the phone itself gave me only the $11.99 AppleCAre+ with Loss and Theft option. I was told at the store that effective 2/4/25, that was the only option for iPhones. I am so mad, since the chance I will lose my phone or have it stolen is very minimal. I DO NOT want to pay for something I will never use.

If you pay for one year in advance it works out to $10 a month which I believe is what the monthly fee used to be for the regular Apple Care+ on the newer phones. SO if you pay a year at a time, it works out OK, but if you want to pay month to month it's an extra dollar. OR SOMETHING. The point is, Apple SHOULD be above all this petty nickel and dime-ing crap.
Click to expand...

Agreed. How about iCloud for $1 still being only 50gb after a decade still? I’ve never once paid for it and refuse to on principle. It isn’t about the money, it’s insulting to offer so little storage and now they are starting to paywall new features such as the new invited app behind the iCloud subscription.
 

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