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.

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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.

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Top Rated Comments

erikkfi Avatar
24 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
24 months ago
Apple Care is a huge cash cow for .
That’s why they push it.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
24 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
24 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
24 months ago
Services, services, services....ARPU baby!! ARPU (average revenue per user)!!!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Momof2.1107 Avatar
24 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)