All the Changes to AppleCare+ This Month

I think I've bought AppleCare for the last time. I never use it for as much as I paid for it, and even then, use is extremely rare.

However as an Apple shareholder I encourage all of you to buy it because it's almost pure profit for Apple.

Wish you could switch from monthly to annual plans. Asked Apple but it seems you're stuck with whatever you signed up with.

I think I've bought AppleCare for the last time. I never use it for as much as I paid for it, and even then, use is extremely rare.

However as an Apple shareholder I encourage all of you to buy it because it's almost pure profit for Apple.

Love the duality! 🫡

But it’s more expensive now, isn’t it? One year is about the same as the 3 years used to be? The one year price only looks good compared to the monthly price. Although, I’m not sure when theft and loss were included, they may not have been as part of the one time purchase. I’d really like a comparison matrix.

No, the annual price is “close” to 1/3 of what the old 3yr price would be. It’s a little more than 1/3, but in the ballpark.

Yes, part of the sneakiness, is that when Apple came out with the AC1, they also changed all the regular AC+ options where you can now only get it with Theft and Loss protection. I think part of it was to make AC1 look like a “better deal”, they would compare it to the AC+ plans that had T&L.

But that just got rid of the cheaper AC+ plans without T&L…. It’s a bummer, because in the situations I did buy AC+, I would never buy the T&L option.

Yep, correct - paying AppleCare on the phone since day one launch day. Apple Retail and Apple Phone support both are very firm on the "no". I swear the phone support person said they'd need an exception to "allow" me to pay the $99 since it's passing apple care, they weren't sure how they would write it up. I know it sounds crazy but just sharing my recent experience. I'll take your advice and try another shot at Apple Genuis Bar Store appointment.

So this is actually my first scenario (AC+), so maybe initially trying to get it covered for free under the AC+ plan.

This is a bit tougher, anecdotally, if their diagnostics don’t say it’s <80%. Ironically, it’s actually easier if you don’t have AC+, so right from the get-go, you’re saying you’ll pay for it.

Conclusion’s the same though. You just have to be a little more persistent - and say that you understand it’s showing >80% on their diagnostics, but real-world experience, there’s some issue. You’re not asking for it to be covered for free under AC+. But you’re asking to pay the battery replacement fee and get it replaced.

If you go in with that perspective / goal, I think you can have luck (even if they say, they’re not sure how they’ll “code” it internally).

So it's literally just a price increase for North America? Meanwhile I can't get my 81% battery health (just over 500 cycle) iPhone 15 PM from launch day's Battery replaced. It'll truly drop ~12% after a short phone call or uploading cellular data but "Passes all Apple's Tests". Good times...

To be clear, you have AppleCare+ on this iPhone (eg. You’re trying to get the free battery replacement?) Or are you non-AC+ but just trying to pay for the battery repair and Apple is refusing?

If it’s the latter, if you push (politely and without attitude), Apple will usually do it if you’re paying the $99 battery replacement fee. They are much more strict with iPads and Watches because they don’t actually replace the battery, they give you a new (refurbished) device for the battery replacement fee… so they are ultra strict on it having to be <80% Health.

But for iPhones, because they actually just replace the battery, if you are persistent (and tell them stories like battery drops 12% after a short phone call, can’t last anywhere close to a full day), they’ll usually do it if you’re paying for it.