Is AppleCare+ Worth It? An Honest Look at Costs vs. Benefits

AppleCare+ is Apple's extended warranty and accidental damage program — and whether it's worth buying comes down to one simple question: how likely are you to crack your screen or need a repair? For iPhone 17 Pro Max owners facing a $599 out-of-warranty screen repair, the $9.99/month plan can pay for itself after a single incident. For someone who cases their phone religiously and has never broken a screen, the same plan may amount to two years of premiums with nothing to show for it.

The honest answer is that AppleCare+ is worth it for high-value devices and accident-prone users — and probably not worth it for mid-range devices or careful owners. This article walks through the complete pricing, what's actually covered, and a clear framework for making the call.

Table of contents

• What is AppleCare+?
• What is the difference between AppleCare and AppleCare+?
• What are the benefits of having AppleCare+?
• How much does AppleCare+ cost?
  • How much does AppleCare+ for the iPhone cost?
  • How much does AppleCare+ for the iPad cost?
  • How much does AppleCare+ for Macs cost?
  • How much does AppleCare+ for the Apple Display cost?
  • How much does AppleCare+ for the Apple Watch cost?
  • How much does AppleCare+ for AirPods and Beats cost?
• AppleCare One: the multi-device option
• AppleCare+ key points
• Should you get AppleCare+?
• Conclusion: Save money with a better alternative
• FAQ

What is AppleCare+?

AppleCare+ is Apple's paid extended warranty program — available for all new Apple devices, including Apple Certified Refurbished products.

Every Apple device ships with a one-year limited hardware warranty and 90 days of complimentary technical support. AppleCare+ extends that coverage by an additional year (or two, for Macs and Apple Displays), while layering on two things the base warranty never includes: accidental damage protection and 24/7 priority support.

Key facts at a glance:

• Extends coverage to 2 years (most devices) or 3 years (Macs, Apple Displays)
• Covers up to two incidents of accidental damage every 12 months — subject to a service fee
• Includes battery service if the battery retains less than 80% of its original capacity
• Adds 24/7 priority access to Apple experts by phone or chat
• Available for iPhones as AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss — covering up to two theft or loss incidents per year for an additional fee

AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss requires that "Find My" was enabled on the device at the time of the incident.

AppleCare products Image: Apple

What is the difference between AppleCare and AppleCare+?

AppleCare is the standard warranty that ships free with every Apple device. It covers hardware failures and manufacturing defects for one year — nothing more. If your MacBook develops a faulty keyboard or your iPhone has a display issue through no fault of your own, Apple fixes it at no charge. The warranty is also transferable if the device changes hands within that year.

AppleCare+ is a paid upgrade that broadens coverage in three meaningful ways: it extends the warranty period, adds accidental damage protection (which the base warranty explicitly excludes), and unlocks priority support channels.

The pricing for AppleCare+ varies by device and coverage tier — from $29 for two years on AirPods to $499 for three years on a Mac Pro.

What are the benefits of having AppleCare+?

These are the concrete benefits of an AppleCare+ plan:

1. Extended warranty — 2 years for most devices, 3 years for Macs and Apple Displays.
2. Accidental damage protection — up to two incidents per 12 months, subject to a per-incident service fee.
3. Battery service — free replacement if the battery retains less than 80% of its original capacity.
4. Theft or loss coverage — available for iPhones as an add-on; requires "Find My" to have been active.
5. 24/7 priority support — direct access to Apple experts by phone or chat, at any hour.
6. Express Replacement Service — Apple ships a replacement device before you send in your damaged one (eligible devices only).
7. Software support — includes help with macOS, iOS, and Apple's built-in apps and services.
8. Transferability — remaining coverage follows the device if you sell it, which can improve resale value.

How much does AppleCare+ cost?

As a rule, AppleCare+ scales with the device price — the more expensive the product, the more expensive the plan. Most devices can be covered with a monthly subscription or a single upfront payment. Macs are billed annually or as a one-time fee for three years of coverage.

How much does AppleCare+ for the iPhone cost?

The iPhone 17 lineup — launched in September 2025 — brought updated AppleCare+ pricing. The standard and Air models are priced identically, while the Pro models carry a premium.

iPhone accidental damage service fees with AppleCare+:

• Front screen repair: $29
• Back glass repair: $29
• Other accidental damage: $99
• Theft or loss replacement: $149 per incident (up to 2 per 12 months)

Without AppleCare+, an out-of-warranty screen replacement for an iPhone 17 Pro Max costs significantly more — making the plan straightforwardly valuable for anyone who has cracked a screen even once.

How much does AppleCare+ for the iPad cost?

How much does AppleCare+ for Macs cost?

Mac plans are billed annually or as a lump sum for three years. In the US, Apple now allows indefinite annual renewals after the initial three-year period — a change introduced in 2025 that makes continuous coverage possible for users who keep their Macs long-term.

Mac accidental damage service fees with AppleCare+: $99 for screen or external enclosure damage, $299 for all other damage.

How much does AppleCare+ for the Apple Display cost?

How much does AppleCare+ for the Apple Watch cost?

How much does AppleCare+ for AirPods and Beats cost?

AppleCare One: the multi-device option

Apple introduced AppleCare One as a household plan — a single $19.99/month subscription that covers up to three Apple devices simultaneously, with additional devices added for $5.99/month each. For families or individuals with multiple Apple products, this can be significantly cheaper than buying separate plans for each device.

AppleCare One includes the same accidental damage coverage and priority support as individual AppleCare+ plans, and it auto-renews monthly — making it easy to add or drop coverage as devices change.

AppleCare+ key points

1. Extended warranty for 2 years (most devices) or 3 years (Macs, Apple Displays).
2. Covers hardware failures and factory defects beyond the standard one-year warranty.
3. Covers up to two accidental damage incidents every 12 months — subject to a service fee.
4. Battery service is included if capacity drops below 80% of original — due to a defect, not normal aging.
5. Each incident triggers a service fee ($29 for iPhone screens, $99 for other damage on iPhones, $99/$299 on Macs).
6. AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss is available for iPhones — covering up to two theft or loss incidents per year.
7. Includes 24/7 priority access to Apple support by phone or chat.
8. Covers software support for macOS and iOS, including Apple's own apps.
9. Transferable — if you sell your device, the remaining coverage transfers to the new owner, which can support a higher resale price.
10. Can be purchased at the time of sale or within 60 days of the original purchase date.
11. Plans are per device — each device needs its own plan, unless you use AppleCare One.
12. In the US, Mac coverage can now be renewed indefinitely after the initial three-year plan via annual auto-renewal.
13. AppleCare+ is also available for Help Desks, IT Departments, and Enterprises.

Should you get AppleCare+?

There is no universal answer — but there is a clear framework.

The math favors AppleCare+ when:

• You own a high-value device — an iPhone 17 Pro Max, a MacBook Pro 16-inch, or an iPad Pro — where a single repair can cost hundreds of dollars more than the plan itself.
• You have a history of accidental damage: cracked screens, dropped devices, liquid incidents.
• You rely on your device for work, and downtime would cost you more than the plan fee.
• You plan to sell the device — transferable coverage can meaningfully increase resale value.

The math works against AppleCare+ when:

• You consistently use a protective case and screen protector and have never broken a screen.
• Your device is mid-range or entry-level — paying $69–$99 for AppleCare+ on a $329 iPad may not be rational.
• You already carry homeowner's or renter's insurance that covers electronics — many policies include accidental damage at a lower marginal cost.
• You prefer to self-insure by setting aside the premium amount each month.

For context: Apple will replace the screen of an iPhone 17 without AppleCare+ for a price that, in many cases, exceeds the cost of a two-year plan. If you've cracked a screen before — even once — the plan typically wins on pure math. If you've never cracked a screen in five or ten years of iPhone ownership, paying for the plan represents a transfer of risk you've consistently managed on your own.

The clearest cases for skipping AppleCare+ are devices like Apple TVs and HomePods, where accidental drop damage is far less likely than with a pocket-sized phone or a daily-carry laptop.

Conclusion: Save money with a better alternative

There is a fundamentally different way to reduce your Apple spending — one that doesn't depend on whether you break your device: buying refurbished.

A refurbished Apple device has been returned, inspected, repaired to factory spec, and relisted — typically at 15–40% below the new price. The savings on a refurbished MacBook or refurbished iPhone often exceed what AppleCare+ would cost over two or three years, and you get that discount regardless of whether anything ever goes wrong. The two approaches are not mutually exclusive — you can buy refurbished and still add AppleCare+ — but refurbished savings do change the calculus considerably.

Refurbishers listed on RefurbMe all carry a professional warranty. For buyers who want to go deeper on warranty comparisons, our refurbisher warranty specs comparison shows exactly what each seller covers and for how long.

Compare live deals on refurbished Apple products right now:

MacBook Air 13.3"

256GB SSD
1.6Ghz Intel Dual-Core i5 8th gen
8GB memory • Silver
with Touch Id • 2018 release

Fair condition, by Mac of All Trades

$228

new $1,399 -84%

View deal

iPhone X

Unlocked
64GB storage
Space Gray

Excellent condition, by Back Market

$142

new $999 -86%

View deal

iPhone Xs

Unlocked
64GB storage
Space Gray

Good condition, by Back Market

$142

new $999 -86%

View deal

Compare all Refurbished Apple Products

FAQ

Is AppleCare+ worth it for an iPhone?

For high-end iPhones — the Pro and Pro Max models — AppleCare+ is typically worth it if you've ever cracked a screen. An out-of-warranty screen repair for a flagship iPhone can cost more than a two-year AppleCare+ plan. For standard and entry-level iPhones, the value depends more on your personal history with accidental damage.

What is the disadvantage of AppleCare+?

The primary disadvantage is cost relative to risk. AppleCare+ premiums can add up to a significant percentage of the device's purchase price — and if you never need a repair, you receive nothing in return. Service fees still apply per incident, so AppleCare+ is not a zero-cost repair solution. For lower-priced devices, the plan may cost more than a replacement would.

What is covered under AppleCare and the AppleCare+ warranty?

AppleCare (the standard warranty) covers hardware failures and manufacturing defects for one year, plus 90 days of technical support. AppleCare+ extends that to two or three years and adds accidental damage coverage — including cracked screens, liquid damage, and hardware failures caused by drops or accidents — subject to per-incident service fees.

What is not covered under AppleCare and the AppleCare+ warranty?

Neither plan covers normal wear and tear, cosmetic damage that doesn't affect function, pre-existing conditions, intentional damage, or damage from unauthorized modifications. The base AppleCare warranty does not cover accidental damage at all. AppleCare+ does cover accidental damage, but excludes catastrophic destruction (such as a device run over by a car) and theft — unless you have the Theft and Loss add-on for iPhones.

What is the AppleCare Express Replacement Service?

The Express Replacement Service ships a replacement device to you before you send in your damaged one. It's available for hardware failures on iPhones, iPads, Apple Watch, HomePod, and Apple TV — but not for accidental damage claims. Apple includes a box and shipping label for the damaged device; alternatively, you can drop it at a UPS Store using a Repair ID from Apple.

What is AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss?

AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss is an iPhone-only add-on that covers up to two theft or loss incidents per 12 months. To qualify, "Find My" must have been enabled on the device at the time it was lost or stolen. Each incident carries a $149 replacement fee.

Is screen repair free with AppleCare+?

No — but the cost is significantly reduced. With AppleCare+, a front screen repair on an iPhone costs $29 per incident (back glass also $29). Without AppleCare+, the same repair is billed at Apple's full out-of-warranty rate, which varies by model.

Why is it so expensive to fix an iPhone without AppleCare+?

iPhones use OLED displays — a premium technology that is expensive to replace. Both the front and back are made of glass, making the entire device vulnerable to drop damage. The latest models feature Ceramic Shield on the front, which reduces the likelihood of cracking but increases repair costs when damage does occur. Apple's Genuine Parts standard also means that non-Apple repairs may affect device functionality, limiting low-cost third-party options for many users.

Can I get AppleCare+ for a refurbished iPhone?

Yes. AppleCare+ is available for Apple Certified Refurbished devices. Third-party refurbished iPhones from sellers like Back Market or Amazon Renewed are not eligible for AppleCare+, but those sellers offer their own warranty programs.