If you just bought a new iPhone and then decided you want to get AppleCare+ for it, you can do so within a limited time period, even if you didn't buy the ‌iPhone‌ directly from Apple. Keep reading to learn how.

applecare iphone 8
Apple offers ‌AppleCare‌+ protection to customers going through the ‌iPhone‌ order process on its online store, but it's perfectly possible to get coverage after you've received your ‌iPhone‌, even if it's a refurbished device.

What is AppleCare+ and How Much Does it Cost?

Apple includes a one-year limited warranty with all hardware and up to 90 days of technical support, so if a manufacturing defect arises within this period, you’re automatically covered.

Buying ‌AppleCare‌+ basically extends your ‌iPhone‌ warranty to two years and also includes protection for physical damage, including up to two incidents of accidental damage, each subject to an excess fee of $29 for screen damage, or $99 for any other damage. In addition, ‌AppleCare‌+ gets you 24/7 priority access to Apple experts via chat or phone.

‌AppleCare‌+ prices depend on the model of ‌iPhone‌ you have. As of writing, Apple's prices are as follows:

  • ‌iPhone‌ 8 – ‌AppleCare‌+ cost $129
  • ‌iPhone‌ 8 Plus and ‌iPhone‌ XR – ‌AppleCare‌+ cost $149.
  • ‌iPhone‌ 11 and ‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro – ‌AppleCare‌+ cost $199.

What About Coverage for Theft and Loss?

‌AppleCare‌+ coverage for theft and loss is a separate plan, and theft and loss coverage requires you to have Find My ‌iPhone‌ enabled on your device at the time it is lost or stolen. ‌AppleCare‌+ with Theft and Loss prices depend on the model of ‌iPhone‌ you have. As of writing, Apple's prices are as follows:

  • ‌iPhone‌ 8 – $199
  • ‌iPhone‌ 8 Plus and ‌iPhone‌ XR – $249
  • ‌iPhone‌ 11 and ‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro – $299

Theft and loss deductibles are as follows:

  • ‌iPhone‌ 8 – $199
  • ‌iPhone‌ 11, ‌iPhone‌ XR, ‌iPhone‌ 8 Plus – $229
  • ‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max – $269

How Long Do I Have to Buy AppleCare+?

You can order ‌AppleCare‌+ within 60 days of receiving your ‌iPhone‌, and this applies regardless of whether you bought the phone from Apple or whether you got it from a carrier or another retailer.

You can check how many days you have remaining to add ‌AppleCare‌+ coverage right on your ‌iPhone‌, just below your name banner the Settings app.

Note that ‌AppleCare‌+ coverage starts from the day you originally bought your device, so you won't get 60 days of extra coverage if you wait until the last minute to buy the plan. Also, your ‌iPhone‌ needs to be in normal working condition and not damaged to add ‌AppleCare‌+.

Can I Get More Than 2 Years' of AppleCare+?

If you want coverage beyond the two years offered by a fixed ‌AppleCare‌+ plan, Apple also offers rolling monthly subscription plans that automatically renew until canceled by the customer. So you can pay for the first two years upfront, and then at the end of those two years, you can roll into the monthly plan going forward.

applecare monthly renewal option

‌‌AppleCare‌‌+ renewable monthly plan offered at checkout

You can continue to pay for monthly ‌‌AppleCare‌‌+ coverage for as long as you like, or until Apple can no longer service the device. Bear in mind though that the monthly ‌‌AppleCare‌‌+ plans do cost more than paying an upfront price. For example, upfront ‌AppleCare‌+ pricing for a new ‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro is $199, but rolling coverage is $9.99 per month, which works out at $239.76 over two years.

How to Add AppleCare+ to Your iPhone

You can add ‌AppleCare‌+ to your ‌iPhone‌ after purchase in a number of ways. The first series of steps show how to do it directly on your ‌iPhone‌ and are followed by steps for doing so online via a browser.

On iPhone

  1. Launch the Settings app on your ‌iPhone‌.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Tap About.
  4. Tap AppleCare+ Coverage Available.
  5. Follow the onscreen instructions to choose and purchase ‌AppleCare‌+

ios13 iphone xs settings general about applecare

Online

  1. Open a browser and visit the AppleCare+ website.
  2. Choose ‌iPhone‌ from the product categories.
  3. Enter your ‌iPhone‌'s serial number or sign in with your Apple ID.
  4. Follow the instructions to purchase AppleCase. You'll also need to allow a remote diagnostic on your ‌iPhone‌.

Alternatively, you can call Apple Support on 800.275.2273 (800.APL.CARE) or head to an Apple Store and ask to add ‌AppleCare‌+ to your ‌iPhone‌. Either way, you'll need to have proof of purchase handy and you'll have to allow a remote diagnostic or a visual inspection of your ‌iPhone‌ to take place.

Popular Stories

Apple Watch Ultra Night Mode Screen

Apple Watch Ultra 3 Launching Later This Year With Two Key Upgrades

Wednesday July 2, 2025 1:13 pm PDT by
The long wait for an Apple Watch Ultra 3 appears to be nearly over, and it is rumored to feature both satellite connectivity and 5G support. Apple Watch Ultra's existing Night Mode In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is on track to launch this year with "significant" new features, including satellite connectivity, which would let you...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Friday July 4, 2025 1:05 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are just over two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:Apple logo repositioned: Apple's logo may have a lower position on the back of the iPhone 17 Pro models, compared to previous...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Max Battery Capacity Leaked

Thursday July 3, 2025 5:40 am PDT by
The iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature the biggest ever battery in an iPhone, according to the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital." In a new post, the leaker listed the battery capacities of the iPhone 11 Pro Max through to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and added that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature a battery capacity of 5,000mAh: iPhone 11 Pro Max: 3,969mAh iPhone 12 Pro Max: 3,687mAh...
airpods pro 2

AirPods Pro 3 to Help Maintain Apple's Place in Earbud Market Amid Increasing Low-Cost Competition

Thursday July 3, 2025 7:25 am PDT by
Apple's position as the dominant force in the global true wireless stereo (TWS) earbud market is expected to continue through 2025, according to Counterpoint Research. The forecast outlines a 3% year-over-year increase in global TWS unit shipments for 2025, signaling a transition from rapid growth to a more mature phase for the category. While Apple is set to remain the leading brand by...
apple silicon mac lineup 2024 feature purple m5

Apple's Upcoming Macs Listed in New Report

Thursday July 3, 2025 9:09 am PDT by
AppleInsider's Marko Zivkovic today shared a list of alleged identifiers for future Mac models, which should roll out over the next year or so. The report does not reveal anything too surprising, but it does serve as further evidence that Apple is seemingly working on new models of every Mac, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro. Apple is...
iphone 16 pro models 1

Here's How the iPhone 17 Pro Max Will Compare to the iPhone 17 Pro

Saturday July 5, 2025 1:00 pm PDT by
Apple should unveil the iPhone 17 series in September, and there might be one bigger difference between the Pro and Pro Max models this year. As always, the Pro Max model will be larger than the Pro model:iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch display iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch displayGiven the Pro Max is physically larger than the Pro, it has more internal space, allowing for a larger battery and...