Didn't Get AppleCare+? Getting Your iPhone Repaired May Extend Your Eligibility Up to Two Years

Apple in recent months began providing customers in the U.S. with an extended opportunity to purchase AppleCare+ coverage for their iPhone after a qualifying out-of-warranty repair at an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider, according to internal Apple documentation reviewed by MacRumors.

applecare apple care banner
The so-called "AppleCare+ Enrollment Exceptions" policy began in late 2021, but it was originally limited to one year after an iPhone's original purchase date. Now, the eligibility window has been extended to two years after purchase for iPhones in the U.S. only. Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers can only inform customers that this policy exists after an iPhone has been serviced, and customers have 10 days to act on it.

Normally, a customer has only 60 days after purchasing an iPhone to add AppleCare+ to the device in the U.S., but this policy gives customers who experienced a costly out-of-pocket repair a chance to reconsider AppleCare+ coverage for future repairs. The repaired iPhone must pass a visual and mechanical inspection in order to qualify.

MacRumors confirmed this policy with multiple sources, but given it is not publicly announced by Apple, we cannot guarantee that it will always be honored.

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Plus Feature

iPhone 17 'Slim': Everything We Know So Far

Friday July 5, 2024 5:13 am PDT by
In 2025, Apple is expected to discontinue the iPhone "Plus" device in its iPhone 17 lineup to make way for an iPhone "Slim" – although it may not actually be called this when it debuts in the fall of next year. Even though the iPhone 16 series launch is still over two months away, when you consider that we learned about larger displays on the iPhone 16 Pro models way back in May 2023, rumors...
iPhone 16 Camera Lozenge 2

Apple Leak Confirms Four iPhone 16 Models With Same A18 Chip

Tuesday July 2, 2024 9:48 am PDT by
Code discovered in Apple's backend by Nicolás Alvarez and shared with MacRumors confirms Apple's plans to release four iPhone 16 models this year, and it indicates that the devices will all have the same A-series chip. There are mentions of new model numbers that are not associated with existing iPhones, and that have the numbering scheme Apple uses for its flagship devices. The code...
f1662570472

Report: Apple Watch Series 10 to Offer Larger Screens and Faster Chip, but New Health Features in Trouble

Sunday July 7, 2024 8:31 am PDT by
The Apple Watch Series 10 will feature a larger display and a new chip, but new health monitoring features for the device are now in question, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports. In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that the design of the Apple Watch Series 10 is "unlikely to look much different" to its predecessor, but it will be thinner. Meanwhile, the Apple Watch...
macbook pro blue

Best Buy Takes Up to $500 Off M3 MacBook Pro in New Sale

Sunday July 7, 2024 10:40 am PDT by
Best Buy this weekend is offering a big selection of discounts on Apple's late 2023 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro, with up to $500 off select models. These deals are available to all shoppers and do not require a My Best Buy Plus or Total membership. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps...
HomePod G4 Feature

Leak Confirms Apple's Work On 'Home Accessory'

Thursday July 4, 2024 9:15 am PDT by
Code discovered on Apple's backend by MacRumors confirms Apple is indeed working on a long-rumored home accessory in addition to the HomePod and Apple TV. The code references a device with the identifier "HomeAccessory17,1," which is a new identifier category. The name is similar to the HomePod's "AudioAccessory" identifier. Interestingly, the 17,1 in the identifier name suggests that...

Top Rated Comments

erikkfi Avatar
11 months ago
It makes sense. Your repair is a chance for them to look at your iPhone, assess its condition personally, and then offer you an option to make a purchase that nets them a 60+% profit margin.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
now i see it Avatar
11 months ago
Apple Care is a huge cash cow for .
That’s why they push it.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
11 months ago
Good to have that option but the problem is I upgrade my iPhone every single year since 2008.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
contacos Avatar
11 months ago
The battery replacement under AppleCare+ seems almost like a fraud. My Apple Watch has been conveniently sitting at 80% health for MONTHS and my iPhone also hasn’t dropped from 88% in like forever either. In fact, one Apple Watch update actually had it go up from 81% to 83% again at some point ?‍?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
anshuvorty Avatar
11 months ago
Services, services, services....ARPU baby!! ARPU (average revenue per user)!!!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
StaceyMJ86 Avatar
11 months ago

As someone who has had to use AppleCare+ - nothing beats the ability to walk into the Apple Store, show then your borked device (either by your doing or their doing) and walk out with a new device in 5 mins. IMO that's worth all the $ I throw at AppleCare+. Can't get this with a Credit Card warranty.

My wife's MBP battery failed 2 years 10 months into our 3 year AppleCare+ and we got a free battery replacement (and top end case).

AppleCare+ has been good to me as has our local Apple Store. Works for me - I get it on all our devices. I understand why some people would prefer not to spend the $.
I get it for all of my devices as well, and also for my kids 9th generation iPads I purchased last year. It feel good going into an Apple Store and know that Apple will either or replace the device free of charge. I rather have the sense of peace by having AppleCare+.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)