AppleCare+ tends to be worth it if you have an expensive iPhone, you're hard on your phones, and you'd want every repair done by Apple. Paying per repair often works out cheaper if you're careful, keep your phones a long time, or are happy with an independent shop. Check Apple's current prices and service fees for your model, then compare them with what a repair would cost you.
What AppleCare+ is
AppleCare+ is Apple's extended coverage plan. It extends hardware coverage and adds accidental damage protection, with a service fee each time you claim. Plans, prices, service fees and what's covered vary by model and country and change over time, so check Apple's website for the current details for your iPhone.
Do the math for your phone
- Look up the total cost of AppleCare+ for your model for as long as you'll keep the phone.
- Add the service fee you'd pay for the repairs you're likely to need, such as a screen.
- Compare that with what those same repairs would cost you out of pocket. Our starting prices are a good reference.
If one cracked screen during the plan would cost you more without coverage than with it, coverage starts to make sense. If you rarely break phones, paying per repair usually wins.
AppleCare+ tends to make sense if
- You have a new, expensive iPhone, especially a Pro or Pro Max.
- You've broken a phone before, or your phone lives in a busy, drop-prone life.
- You want every repair done by Apple with genuine parts.
- You value predictable costs over the chance of saving money.
Paying per repair tends to make sense if
- You're careful, use a good case and screen protector, and rarely break phones.
- You keep your phones for years, beyond when most plans end.
- You're happy with a quality independent shop, which is often cheaper out of warranty.
- You'd rather set aside the money and keep it if nothing breaks.
Questions to ask yourself
- How many phones have I cracked or damaged in the last few years?
- How long will I keep this phone? Coverage that ends before I'd upgrade is worth less.
- If it broke, would I want Apple to fix it, or would a quality independent shop be fine?
- Could I comfortably pay for a screen or battery repair if I needed one?
- Do I already have phone protection through a card, carrier or insurance policy?
If your answers point to rarely breaking phones, keeping them a long time and being happy with an independent shop, paying per repair is usually cheaper. If you break phones often and want Apple-only repairs, coverage is easier to justify.
Whatever you decide, a good case and screen protector do more than any plan to keep repair costs down.
Check what you already have
Before buying any plan, check whether you're already covered. Some credit cards, home insurance policies and carrier plans include phone protection. Read the terms carefully, because deductibles and exclusions vary a lot.
Batteries and older phones
Battery wear is one of the most common reasons people repair an older iPhone. A battery replacement is inexpensive whether or not you have coverage, and ours start at $49.99. For older phones out of coverage, a new battery is often the best-value way to keep going. See iPhone battery replacement cost.
Frequently asked questions
Does AppleCare+ cover a cracked screen?
Accidental damage, including screen damage, is generally covered with a service fee. Check Apple's current terms and fees for your model.
Can I still use an independent shop if I have AppleCare+?
You can, but you'd be paying for the repair yourself, and damage caused by a third-party repair isn't covered by Apple. If you have AppleCare+, using it is usually the better deal.
Is AppleCare+ worth it for an older iPhone?
Usually less so. Repairs on older models cost less, and a battery or screen repair out of pocket is often cheaper than coverage.
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