Select Apple Stores Piloting Extended AppleCare+ Eligibility Beyond Usual 60 Days

A small number of Apple Stores in the United States and Canada are piloting a new program that allows customers to purchase AppleCare+ for devices beyond the usual limit of 60 days after the purchase date, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. The pilot program began this week.

applecare plus logo
The pilot program allows customers to add AppleCare+ to a device between 61 days and one year after the device was purchased. To do so, a customer must book a Genius Bar appointment, during which a technician will run diagnostics on the device and perform a visual inspection to confirm eligibility.

We were initially told the extended eligibility was for up to two years, but another source said the period was shortened to one year.

The pilot program is rolling out to 50 or so Apple Stores in the United States, as well as all 29 locations in Canada, one of our sources said. It is unclear how long the program will remain available.

MacRumors contacted a participating Apple Store that confirmed existence of the pilot program. It applies to the iPhone for certain, and likely extends to the iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and other devices. We don't want anyone to be disappointed, so keep in mind that the pilot is subject to change.

AppleCare+ provides two or three years of extended hardware coverage and technical support depending on the type of device. This includes up to two incidents of accidental damage, each subject to a service fee.

Update: We've received additional info on the pilot program, which covers iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. It allows people to add AppleCare to their devices for up to two years after purchase, either as a two year contract or on a monthly basis. It's still not known how long the program will last, but as of January 2020, it's ongoing.

Top Rated Comments

mannyvel Avatar
44 months ago
Really, you should be able to enroll up until your standard warranty runs out.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
OriginalClone Avatar
44 months ago
So they’re going back to how it used to be..
Apple seems to be backtracking on quite a few decisions lately.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
porscherain Avatar
44 months ago
Anyone have a list of stores? I need to add AppleCare ASAP.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dmylrea Avatar
44 months ago
I know there are many fans of AppleCare plans, but not me. I've got many Apple devices and if I paid for AppleCare+ on all of them, plus the deductible if I actually needed a repair (unlikely), I could have just taken the premiums i paid and paid for a repair.

But, I'm not clumsy and have never broken an iPhone screen or had any real problem with any Apple device that required repair.

Plus, I always pay with a CC that extends the warranty 1-2 years, and that is free.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Amazing Iceman Avatar
44 months ago
Nice! I would like to put my 2016 MacBook under AppleCare+
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fmcshan Avatar
44 months ago
Hopefully this rolls out nationwide. It would nice to have longer than 60 days to decide if I want to purchase AppleCare+ or not.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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