When you buy a new iPhone, it can be tough to decide if you want to spend the extra money to get AppleCare+ along with it. Now you’ll have more time to make that decision.
Apple has extended the AppleCare+ eligibility of new iPhone hardware. Previously, you had 60 days from the purchase of your new iPhone to sign up for AppleCare+. That timeframe been extended to one year after the purchase of a new iPhone, according to sources speaking to MacRumors as well as a senior AppleCare advisor.
This extension only applies to the iPhone, meaning that the iPad, Apple Watch, and iPod touch still have 60-day eligibility windows, said the senior AppleCare advisor. They added that the change is retroactive, so iPhones sold within the last year still qualify for AppleCare+.
AppleCare+ costs $129 and extends your warranty coverage to two years from your purchase date. It also includes two incidents of accidental damage coverage that are each subject to a $29 service fee for screen damage. You’ll pay $99 for any other damage. Also included with AppleCare+ is 24/7 priority access to Apple support.
Having the added insurance protection of AppleCare+ can be nice, but sometimes folks may be hesitant to spend another $129 on it after spending a bunch of money (or agreeing to a bunch of payments) on a new iPhone. Now those people will have plenty of time to add AppleCare+ later on, so long as they keep their device in good condition.
Do you ever buy protection plans for your smartphones?
