🛡️ AppleCare+ Complete Guide (2026)

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🛡️ iPhone 2yr / Mac+iPad 3yr coverage. 2 accidents/year. Screen $29 / other $99. Theft+Loss = +$4/mo. Battery service if <80%.

AppleCare+ = Apple's extended warranty + accident protection. 2-3 year coverage, 2 accident incidents/year, Theft+Loss option. Here's the 2026 complete guide.

🛡️ AppleCare+ Complete Guide (2026)

AppleCare+ = Apple's extended warranty + accident protection

AppleOfficial

AppleCare+ = Apple's official extended warranty PLUS accident protection. Adds to default 1-year warranty.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: knowing

AppleCare+ →

2 years coverage on iPhone (or monthly indefinite)

Coverage periodiPhone

iPhone AppleCare+: 2 years one-time payment OR monthly subscription that continues indefinitely until canceled.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: iPhone

iPhone Coverage →

3 years coverage on Mac/iPad/Watch (or monthly indefinite)

Coverage periodMac/iPad

Mac + iPad + Apple Watch AppleCare+: 3 years one-time OR monthly indefinite.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: Mac/iPad

Mac/iPad Coverage →

2 incidents of accidental damage per 12 months (deductibles apply)

Accident coverageLimit

AppleCare+ covers 2 accidental damage incidents per 12 months. Service fees (deductibles) apply per incident.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: knowing

Accident →

Theft + Loss available (iPhone only, extra $4/month)

Theft + LossiPhone add-on

AppleCare+ with Theft + Loss available for iPhone only. Extra ~$4/month. Covers stolen/lost iPhones.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: iPhone users

Theft + Loss →

💰 AppleCare+ Pricing (2026)

iPhone 16 Pro Max: $13.99/mo or $269 (2 years one-time)

iPhone 16 Pro MaxPremium

iPhone 16 Pro Max AppleCare+: $13.99/mo subscription OR $269 for 2 years. Theft+Loss: +$4/mo.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: Pro Max owners

Pro Max →

iPhone 16 Pro: $11.99/mo or $229 (2 years)

iPhone 16 ProPremium

iPhone 16 Pro AppleCare+: $11.99/mo or $229 for 2 years. Theft+Loss: +$4/mo.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: Pro owners

Pro →

iPhone 16 Plus: $10.99/mo or $209 (2 years)

iPhone 16 PlusMainstream

iPhone 16 Plus AppleCare+: $10.99/mo or $209 for 2 years. Theft+Loss: +$4/mo.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: Plus owners

Plus →

iPhone 16: $9.99/mo or $189 (2 years)

iPhone 16Mainstream

iPhone 16 AppleCare+: $9.99/mo or $189 for 2 years. Theft+Loss: +$4/mo.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: iPhone 16 owners

iPhone 16 →

iPad Pro M4: $9.99/mo or $199 (3 years)

iPad Pro M4Premium iPad

iPad Pro M4 AppleCare+: $9.99/mo or $199 for 3 years coverage. Includes Pencil Pro.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: iPad Pro owners

iPad Pro M4 →

MacBook Pro 14/16 M4: $14.99/mo or $379 (3 years)

MBP M4Mac

MacBook Pro 14/16 M4 AppleCare+: $14.99/mo or $379 for 3 years. Pro Mac coverage.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: MBP owners

MBP M4 →

MacBook Air M3: $9.99/mo or $249 (3 years)

MBA M3Mac

MacBook Air M3 AppleCare+: $9.99/mo or $249 for 3 years. Air coverage.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: MBA owners

MBA M3 →

Apple Watch Series 10: $3.49/mo or $79 (2 years)

Watch S10Watch

Apple Watch Series 10 AppleCare+: $3.49/mo or $79 for 2 years.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: Watch owners

Watch S10 →

🔧 Service Fees / Deductibles

iPhone Pro/Pro Max screen damage: $29 service fee

ScreenPro

iPhone Pro/Pro Max with AppleCare+: $29 screen repair service fee. Without: $379-549.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: screen repair

Screen $29 →

iPhone Pro/Pro Max other damage: $99 service fee

Other damagePro

iPhone Pro/Pro Max other damage (back glass, battery, etc.): $99 fee. Without: $400-650.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: physical damage

Other Damage $99 →

iPhone 16/Plus screen damage: $29 service fee

ScreenStandard

iPhone 16/16 Plus with AppleCare+: $29 screen repair. Without: $279-329.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: standard iPhones

Screen Standard →

iPhone 16/Plus other damage: $99 service fee

Other damageStandard

iPhone 16/16 Plus other damage: $99 fee. Without: $400+.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: standard iPhones

Other Standard →

iPhone theft/loss replacement: $149 service fee + monthly fee

TheftReplace

iPhone Theft+Loss replacement = $149 service fee. Plus pay continued monthly. Pro Max replacement otherwise ~$1,199.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: theft cover

Theft Fee →

Mac screen damage: $99-299 service fee

Mac screenVariable

Mac screen damage with AppleCare+: $99-299 depending on model. Without: $400-700+.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: Mac users

Mac Screen →

iPad screen damage: $49-99 service fee

iPad screenVariable

iPad screen damage with AppleCare+: $49-99 depending on model. Without: $250-500+.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: iPad users

iPad Screen →

🎁 AppleCare+ Benefits Beyond Repair

Priority Apple Support (skip queues)

SupportPriority

AppleCare+ = priority Apple Support. Skip queues. Faster response. Phone + chat 24/7.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: support users

Priority Support →

Battery service if degraded below 80% capacity

BatteryService

AppleCare+ covers battery replacement when capacity drops below 80%. iPhone battery $0 (otherwise $99).

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: battery degradation

Battery 80% →

Express Replacement Service (ERS) — get replacement first, send old in

ExpressMajor

Express Replacement = Apple ships replacement first. Send broken in after. No downtime. Pro perk.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: avoid downtime

Express Replace →

Software support beyond default 90 days

SoftwareExtended

AppleCare+ extends software support (Mac/iPad) beyond default 90 days. Help with macOS/iPadOS issues.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: complex software

Software Support →

Genius Bar priority booking + walk-in service

Genius BarConvenience

AppleCare+ = Genius Bar priority booking. Walk-in service prioritized. Faster Apple Store visits.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: Store users

Genius Bar →

⚠️ AppleCare+ Limitations + Exclusions

Doesn't cover: intentional damage, modifications, cosmetic damage

ExcludedLimits

Excluded: intentional damage, modifications, cosmetic-only damage. Only functional damage covered.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: knowing

Exclusions →

Limit: 2 accidental damage claims per 12 months

LimitYearly

Max 2 accidental claims per 12 months. Beyond = not covered + need to wait 12 months.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: knowing

Claim Limit →

Theft + Loss: only if Find My was ON before theft/loss

Theft requirementCritical

Theft + Loss claim requires Find My was ON. Without Find My, claim denied. Critical to enable.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: theft cover

Find My Required →

Pre-existing damage: not covered (must buy within 60 days of purchase or device must pass inspection)

Pre-existingRestriction

Pre-existing damage NOT covered. Must buy AppleCare+ within 60 days of new purchase OR device passes inspection.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: knowing

Pre-Existing →

International coverage limited (varies by country)

InternationalVaries

International AppleCare+ coverage varies. Some countries limited. Check before international travel.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: travelers

International →

🛡️ AppleCare+ Complete Guide (2026)