AppleCare — How Much? | Real-World Prices

Budgeting protection for a new iPhone, Mac, or Watch? This guide shows the numbers that matter and quick ways to judge value.

What Affects The Price

Rates track the device category, model tier, and plan type. Bigger screens and “Pro” lines sit higher. Adding theft and loss on phones nudges the monthly bill. Many items allow monthly or annual billing; others use a fixed multi-year term.

• Device family: Phone, tablet, earbuds, watch, Mac, display, or TV box use different rate cards.
• Model tier: Base, Plus/Max, Air, Pro, or Ultra shift the band.
• Plan type: Damage coverage vs. phone plans that add theft and loss.
• Billing choice: Monthly, annual, or one-time terms by product.
• Multi-device plan: AppleCare One can bundle several products under one payment.

Typical Ranges By Device (Quick Look)

The table below shows ballpark pricing many shoppers see today. Exact figures depend on the model and plan.

Device	Common Plan Options	Typical Price Range
iPhone	Damage only; or with theft & loss	$10–$14/mo or $99–$279/yr
Mac	3-year term (subscription or fixed)	$79–$349/yr or $229–$399 one-time
iPad	2-year term; Pencil/keyboard covered	$4–$7/mo or $79–$149 one-time
Apple Watch	Standard; Ultra/Hermès tier	$4–$10/mo or $79–$149 one-time
AirPods/Beats	2-year term	$29 one-time total
Apple Displays	2- or 3-year term	$149–$499 one-time
Apple TV/HomePod	2-year term	$15–$49 one-time
AppleCare One	Bundle up to three devices	$19.99/mo for three; +$5.99/mo per extra

Use these as starting points, then check your model at checkout or in Settings on setup today.

AppleCare Pricing: What You’ll Pay In 2025

Phones

Current iPhone plans hover around $10–$14 per month. Adding theft and loss pushes you toward the top of that band. Annual billing usually equals roughly a year of monthly payments. You can add it later, too.

Out-of-warranty screen work often costs far more than a year of coverage, which is why many buyers add the plan during the return window.

Mac Computers

Coverage for laptops and desktops typically runs as a 3-year term. You’ll see options to pay annually, monthly, or as one single charge at checkout. Pricing climbs with screen size and chip tier. A MacBook Air sits lower than a MacBook Pro; a Pro Max class machine sits near the top of the range.

iPad Family

iPad coverage is usually a 2-year term with battery, accidental damage, and coverage for Apple Pencil and Apple-branded keyboards. Rates stay modest, and many students pick it up because the per-incident fee for a cracked screen is low compared with a full display swap.

Apple Watch

Watches bill monthly or as a one-time term. The aluminum models sit at the low end, stainless steel rises a bit, and the rugged line sits in its own tier. Daily wear means bumps and scrapes; one incident can make the plan pay for itself.

AirPods And Beats

Earbuds and headphones use a simple 2-year, one-time plan. The fee is small, and the per-incident service fee for damage is also small. Battery service is included when capacity dips below Apple’s threshold within the term.

Displays, TV, And Speakers

Studio Display and Pro Display XDR carry higher one-time fees. Apple TV and HomePod use modest fixed terms.

What The Plan Actually Covers

Every plan includes hardware coverage and 24/7 help. Modern plans include unlimited accidental damage incidents, each with a small service fee. Phone plans can include theft and loss with a deductible when you file a claim. Terms vary by device family.

• Accidental damage: Drops, cracked screens, liquid events, and similar mishaps.
• Battery service: When capacity falls below Apple’s stated threshold during the term.
• Express replacement: For many devices, Apple ships a replacement before you send yours in.
• Theft and loss (phones): Two incidents in a 12-month period with an approved claim.

When you file a claim, you’ll pick mail-in, carry-in, or on-site (for some Macs). Repairs finish quickly. Theft and loss claims go through Apple’s partner; you’ll disable the device in Find My before a replacement ships. Keep a backup and have your Apple ID to speed things up.

See Apple’s fees list and the multi-device bundle for up-to-date details.

Service Fees At A Glance

The table below summarizes common per-incident costs in the U.S. These apply each time you request service and are separate from the plan price.

Device	Accidental Damage Fee	Theft/Loss Deductible
iPhone	$29 (screen/back glass); $99 other damage	$149 per approved claim
Apple Watch	$69; $79 on Ultra/Hermès	$119 per approved claim
iPad	$29 screen or accessory; $49 other damage	Not offered on iPad
Mac	Varies by model and part	Not offered on Mac
AirPods/Beats	$29 per incident	Not offered on AirPods/Beats
Displays/Apple TV/HomePod	Varies by device	Not offered on these

AppleCare Price Guide: When The Math Works

Think in two lines: the plan cost vs. a likely repair. If one cracked screen would cost more than a year of coverage plus the service fee, the plan often pays for itself. Two quick scenarios show the idea.

Phone Owners

Screen repair on a modern phone can run well over a hundred dollars without a plan. With coverage, that becomes a small service fee. If you bump your device often, a monthly plan is easy to justify. If you rarely drop your phone, the bundled option can cover several devices for less.

Laptop Users

Portable Macs see drops and liquid events more than desktops. A top case swap or display assembly can be pricey. A 3-year plan spreads risk across the period you’ll likely own the machine.

How To Buy And When

You can add coverage at checkout, from the device settings after setup, at an Apple Store, or through select partners. Phones often allow monthly or annual billing. Other items use fixed terms. You can usually add coverage within a set window after purchase, sometimes with a remote diagnostic or in-store inspection.

1. At checkout: choose the plan type and billing you prefer.
2. After setup: open Settings > General > Coverage (or the Watch app) and look for add-on options.
3. In person: bring a receipt and a charged device for a short check.

Ways To Stretch Value

• Bundle plan: If you carry several devices, the multi-device bundle can lower your total bill while adding theft and loss on phones.
• Pay annually: On phones, the yearly option often equals about ten to twelve monthly bills.
• Match the term to ownership: Pick a length that fits how long you keep the device.

Coverage Limits And Fine Print

Plans renew until you cancel, or they run through a fixed term. Theft and loss claims require Find My enabled and other conditions. Accidental damage still carries a per-incident fee. Certain cosmetic or intentional damage is not covered. Each category has its own terms, so check the live page for your exact model before you buy.

Fast Price Check

Phones sit near $10–$14 per month, watches near $4–$10 per month, iPads and earbuds use modest fixed terms, and Macs and displays carry larger one-time or annual costs. Add the service fee in the table above to see your true worst-case bill. If that number beats an out-of-warranty repair, you have your answer now.

For exact pricing, see the AppleCare plan pages. Apple updates model-specific numbers there.