AppleCare coverage extends hardware warranty and tech support; AppleCare+ adds accidental damage, with optional theft and loss for iPhone.
Apple sells two layers of protection. The standard limited warranty and free tech support ship with every device. The paid add-on, AppleCare+, lengthens that safety net and adds damage protection. Pick the plan that fits your gear, your risk level, and how you prefer to get service.
Applecare Coverage Breakdown: What’s Included
Think of coverage in three buckets: hardware defects, help from Apple experts, and damage plans. AppleCare+ folds all three into a single contract, with service fees when you break something. The scope changes a bit by product, but the core ideas stay the same.
Coverage At A Glance By Product
This quick view shows the common pattern across Apple devices. Exact terms vary by region and model, but the structure below holds up for the lineup.
| Device | With Limited Warranty | With AppleCare+ |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone | Hardware defect fixes + phone/chat help | Unlimited accidental damage service; battery service if capacity is low; 24/7 priority help; Theft & Loss option |
| Mac | Hardware defect fixes + phone/chat help | Unlimited accidental damage service; battery service when worn; onsite or carry-in options; priority help |
| iPad | Hardware defect fixes + phone/chat help | Unlimited accidental damage service; battery service when worn; priority help |
| Apple Watch | Hardware defect fixes + phone/chat help | Unlimited accidental damage service; battery service when worn; priority help |
| AirPods/Beats | Hardware defect fixes | Accidental damage service for buds/case; priority help |
| HomePod/Apple TV | Hardware defect fixes | Accidental damage service; priority help |
| Apple Display | Hardware defect fixes | Accidental damage service for screen/enclosure; priority help |
| Vision Pro | Hardware defect fixes + phone/chat help | Accidental damage service; battery/strap coverage per plan; priority help |
What Hardware And Parts Are Covered
Both the free warranty and AppleCare+ handle defects in materials or workmanship. That includes internal boards, screens, microphones, speakers, cameras, and the included cable or power adapter that shipped with the device. If something fails under normal use, Apple or an authorized provider repairs or swaps the part. If a fix is not practical, a replacement unit of the same model and capacity is the usual next step.
Battery Service Rules
Battery aging is expected, but AppleCare+ adds a perk. If Apple tests your device and the battery holds 80% or less of original capacity, you get a battery replacement with no extra labor fee under the plan. This applies across iPhone, Mac notebooks, iPad, and Apple Watch. The test happens at intake, and the advisor will confirm eligibility.
Included Accessories
Accessories that ship in the box are treated as part of the product for defect coverage. AirPods and Beats have their own AppleCare+ plans as well, which extend protection to the case and the earbuds. Third-party chargers and cables aren’t covered unless they shipped in the Apple box.
Accidental Damage Under Applecare+
AppleCare+ adds damage coverage for drops, spills, and cracked glass. You can file as many incidents as you need during the life of the plan, and each visit has a flat service fee set by Apple. Screen-only damage has a lower fee than full enclosure or liquid damage. The advisor will quote the exact amount before booking the repair.
What Counts As Accidental Damage
Anything sudden and unintentional that breaks the device qualifies: a fall off the table, a splash that takes out the keyboard, or a cracked back glass on a phone. Wear and tear, scratches, and cosmetic scuffs that do not affect function are not covered as damage events.
Service Methods You Can Choose
For small products, Apple can ship you a box so you can mail it in. Many cities also offer same-day service at Apple Stores or authorized partners. Phones and tablets may qualify for express replacement: Apple sends a device first, then you return the old one. For desktop Macs and some displays, onsite service may be available through authorized providers.
Theft And Loss For IPhone Plans
There’s a special iPhone tier that includes theft and loss coverage. That option adds up to two approved theft or loss claims in a twelve-month window. Each claim carries a deductible, and you must keep Find My turned on at the time of the event and through the claim process. If approved, Apple replaces the phone with the same model and capacity or with a comparable unit.
Support You Get With Every Plan
AppleCare+ gives you priority access to advisors by chat or phone, day or night. That help spans setup, iCloud, Apple ID issues, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth pairing, and built-in apps. Mac users can also get help with Time Machine and basic network settings. If a case needs a screen share, the advisor will walk you through secure steps to confirm consent and start the session.
Plan Length, Payments, And When You Can Buy
You can buy AppleCare+ when you purchase the device or add it within a set window after activation. In many regions that window is 60 days for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and AirPods. You can prepay for a fixed term or choose monthly billing that renews until you cancel. If your plan lapses, some regions allow a short grace period to buy new coverage again after a check on device condition.
What The Service Fees Look Like
Apple publishes a public fee table for each region and device class. Screen-only repairs sit at the low end. Other damage lands at a higher flat amount. Battery service under the plan has no added labor fee when the battery meets the wear threshold. Theft and loss claims use a deductible that depends on phone tier. To see current numbers for your region and model, check Apple’s fees and deductibles chart.
What’s Not Covered Under Any Plan
Plans don’t cover everything. If a device is lost or stolen without the theft and loss option on your iPhone plan, that’s outside coverage. Intentional damage, tampering, or repairs using non-genuine parts voids eligibility. Damage from unsafe modifications or unsafe chargers can be declined. Data recovery isn’t part of the package, so always keep backups. Cosmetic chips that don’t affect function and minor button wear are also excluded.
How Claims Usually Work
Start in the Support app or on Apple’s site. Pick the symptom, run the guided steps, and choose a service method. An advisor checks the serial number to confirm your plan and quotes any fee. If parts are on hand, in-store repairs are often same day for screens and batteries. Mail-in repairs add shipping time, but Apple provides labels and packaging. After service, you’ll see a repair record tied to your Apple ID.
How To Check Your Coverage Right Now
Open Settings on your device, then head to General > About > Coverage on iPhone or iPad, or System Settings > General > Coverage on Mac. You can also enter a serial number on Apple’s coverage page to view plan type, end date, and service options. If coverage is missing and you’re inside the purchase window, the app will offer the option to add a plan after a quick device check.
Region Nuances You Should Know
Service fees and options vary by country. In some places, consumer law adds rights beyond Apple’s warranty term, and AppleCare+ sits on top of those rights. Theft and loss plans are limited to selected regions. If you move to a new country, service continues, but fees may change to match local rates. Always match your choices to your region’s terms.
Battery Health And When To Seek Service
If your phone or notebook feels sluggish, check the battery health screen. When capacity dips to the threshold stated by Apple, AppleCare+ covers a replacement with no added labor fee. You’ll get a part sourced by Apple and a device-level test before it’s returned to you. That keeps performance steady and helps avoid random shutdowns under peak load.
Covered Versus Not Covered Snapshot
This table gives you a plain-English filter for common scenarios. Use it to sense whether your issue aligns with defect repair, damage service, or an uncovered case.
| Scenario | Covered? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Screen crack from a drop | Yes, with AppleCare+ | Flat service fee applies; pricing depends on device tier |
| Liquid spill on a MacBook | Yes, with AppleCare+ | Handled as accidental damage; higher fee tier |
| Defective speaker or camera | Yes | Handled as a hardware defect within plan term |
| Battery capacity at or under 80% | Yes, with AppleCare+ | No added labor fee for the battery service |
| Cosmetic scratch with normal function | No | Cosmetic issues aren’t covered as a service event |
| Lost or stolen iPhone | Yes, with theft & loss option | Find My must be on; deductible applies per claim |
| Third-party repair damage | No | Non-genuine parts or tampering can void coverage |
When Applecare+ Makes Sense
Think about your device type, usage pattern, and repair prices in your region. Phones see daily travel, so cracked glass and splash events aren’t rare. Notebooks leave the desk and deal with packed bags and coffee shops. Tablets live with kids and on couches, which can mean drops. If the flat service fee plus the plan price is easier on your wallet than a surprise full repair, the plan earns its spot.
How To Get The Most From Your Plan
Save time by pairing your device with the Support app and turning on express replacement where it’s offered. Keep Find My enabled on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Back up to iCloud or a Mac before handing a device to a technician. Hold on to your receipt and plan email; those documents speed up edge cases at intake. If a part keeps failing, ask for a repair history so the next tech sees the timeline.
A Few Mid-Plan Tips
Set a calendar reminder thirty days before your plan’s renewal or end date, then review device condition and resale value. If you switch phones, check whether your wireless carrier sold you a separate protection plan and make sure you don’t pay for two overlapping policies. If you move countries, compare local fee charts and service methods near your new address.
Where To Verify Details And File A Claim
Apple keeps a live chart of plan fees and deductibles and updates it when models change. You can find that chart through the link above. If you need theft or loss protection for iPhone, review Apple’s page on that option in your region and confirm the Find My requirement before you file a claim. Here’s a handy reference link for the iPhone tier: theft and loss coverage.
Quick Takeaways
AppleCare+ wraps defect repair, priority help, and drop-and-spill protection into one plan, with flat fees per incident. iPhone plans can add theft and loss for peace of mind when you travel. Battery service kicks in at the defined health threshold. The exact dollars and the claim steps vary by region, so always check the official chart and use the Support app to book service. With those pieces in place, you’ll know exactly what will be fixed, how fast it can happen, and what you’ll pay.