AppleCare+ vs. AppleCare One: One Device or Three, and What Each Plan Covers
AppleCare+ covers one device, while AppleCare One covers up to three for $20 a month. Coverage and pricing differ.
AppleCare+ remains the more cost-effective option for people with only one Apple device, despite a recent price increase. Pricing varies by model. For an iPhone 17 Pro Max, AppleCare+ costs $14 a month or $140 a year, while an iPhone 17e costs $10 a month or $100 a year, Engadget reported.
The subscription includes unlimited repairs for accidental damage such as drops and spills, 24/7 priority support, and service at any Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider worldwide. Other benefits depend on the device. Batteries in iPhones, iPads and MacBooks can be replaced for free once battery health, or current maximum energy capacity, reaches 80 percent. iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches include theft and loss coverage for up to two claims a year. Some models also offer an express replacement service that lends a device before the broken one is sent in.
Because AppleCare is a form of insurance, repairs and replacements carry service fees and deductibles. Repairing screen or back glass damage on an iPhone costs $29, for example, while a theft or loss replacement costs $149. The full list is available on Apple's website, according to Engadget.
To start AppleCare+, users open Settings, then go to General > AppleCare & Warranty. They can also visit the AppleCare & Warranty page, choose a device and scan the QR code that appears.
AppleCare One provides all AppleCare+ benefits for up to three devices for $20 a month. Depending on the devices, it can be cheaper than buying separate AppleCare+ plans. The plan is currently available only in the US, the UK, France, Germany and Australia.
Engadget gave the example of an iPhone 17 Pro Max, a 13-inch iPad Pro with M4 and AirPods Pro 3. Individual AppleCare+ plans for those devices would cost $27.47 a month, making the $20 AppleCare One subscription less expensive. Some combinations would cost less than $20 a month under separate AppleCare+ plans, so checking Apple's website before deciding is necessary.
Additional devices can be added to AppleCare One at any time, including devices already owned, for $6 each. Most devices must be four years old or newer to qualify, while headphones must be one year old or less. Only devices registered under the user's Apple account can be added.
Both plans cover any in-box cables and power adapters that came with the product. For iPads, both plans include accidental damage coverage for one Apple Pencil and one Apple iPad keyboard.