Apple this week launched a new AppleCare One plan – a way to buy AppleCare+ for multiple devices for one monthly fee.The exact coverage it offers depends on the mix of devices you have, and the cost depends on how many, but you’ll almost certainly save money over buying separate plans for each.Does this mean you should subscribe? That depends … Understanding AppleCare AppleCare can be somewhat confusing, because the company has historically used the branding to describe both the standard warranty you get when you buy a new product its optional paid policies.
AppleCare has also evolved over time.What was initially a one-off payment you had to make at the time of purchase gradually became more flexible, with the ability to add it later, subject to a device condition check.The paid cover subsequently evolved into AppleCare+, which extends the standard warranty and adds accidental damage cover.
Under this element, you still have to pay for repair or replacement of damaged devices, but at a cheaper price.Additional benefits include the option of a subsidized battery replacement if your battery health falls below 80%, and access to free 24/7 tech support for your Apple products.AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss also adds in coverage for these eventualities, offering device replacement on payment of an excess fee, but this has so far only been offered for iPhones.
Perhaps most significantly, Apple has effectively turned extended warranties and insurance into a subscription product, with an ongoing monthly or annual payment.How does AppleCare One change things? AppleCare One changes things in two main ways.First, it allows you to replace individual AppleCare+ plans for each product with a single plan covering all your Apple devices (with some important disclaimers we’ll get to in a moment).
Second, it extends theft and loss cover from iPhone only to Apple Watch and iPad also.Additionally, when you upgrade an existing product, your coverage automatically switches to the new device.How much does AppleCare One cost? Currently, it is available in the US only.
The plan costs $19.99 per month for up to three devices, and $5.99/month for each additional device.In most cases, this will save you a worthwhile amount of money over individual AppleCare+ plans – plus it’s the only way to add theft and loss cover to your Apple Watch and iPad.What about the small-print? There are four pieces of small-print you need to be aware of.
First – and this is a big one given the headline claim of being able to protect all your Apple devices – all products covered by the plan must be less than four years old.Given that many people keep Apple Watches, iPads, and Macs for longer than this, this is a substantial (if understandable) limitation.Second, there’s an even tighter age limit for AirPods – these need to be less than a year old.
Since they are already covered under warranty for hardware defects for the first year, and you don’t get any theft or loss cover, there is very little benefit in including these in an AppleCare One policy.Essentially you are only getting accidental damage cover for something you are way more likely to lose than to damage.Third, all devices must be linked to your own Apple account.
That is, if you open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap your name then scroll down to your devices, the product must appear in that list.This means you include products belonging to family members when those devices are linked to their Apple accounts.Finally, all devices must currently be “in good condition,” and you may need to prove this by running diagnostic checks and/or having them inspected at an Apple store.
Will AppleCare One save you money? Provided you have at least three Apple products, and you are currently paying for AppleCare+ for each of them, then you’ll almost certainly save money by combing coverage into an AppleCare One account.In my checks, I couldn’t find any circumstances in which there wouldn’t be at least saving, even if it was a tiny one.However, it’s worth considering the alternatives to AppleCare before signing up.
What are the AppleCare alternatives? Self-insuring Aka, nothing at all.There are people who are exceptionally careful with their possessions, live in safe neighbourhoods, are not clumsy, and so on.If you’re one of these fortunate people, you may be better off self-insuring – in other words, not buying any insurance cover at all, and just paying the full cost of any devices you do damage or lose.
I’m too clumsy to consider this for possessions, but I have always done this for pets.Over the years, I’ve had occasional large vet bills, but the total cost has been lower than the total pet insurance premiums I’d have paid throughout my life to date.Property or renter’s insurance Your property or renter’s insurance will typically cover all the possessions while they are in your home, and there may be all-risks add-ons you can buy to cover mobile use too.
However, check the small-print carefully as there are often limits on the value of any one item, or specific limits on things like laptops, that may be way below the actual value.You might also need to pay extra for new-for-old coverage to cover the cost of buying a new device rather than a used one of the equivalent age.Other third-party coverage It’s worth checking whether you already have coverage.
For example, some credit cards include insurance when used to make a purchase – though this may be limited to a very short time, like 90 days.Some premium bank accounts include insurance for valuables.You carrier may include insurance on iPhones bought through them.
Even if you don’t have any free coverage, third-party policies may offer a better deal than Apple.Wrap up If you’re already convinced by the benefits of AppleCare+, own at least three Apple devices, you’re not including AirPods in that count, they satisfy all the conditions in the small-print above, then AppleCare One is a no-brainer.But if you are open to alternatives, or have older Apple kit, then there may be better options.
You do, however, need to carefully read the small-print of form of insurance before purchasing.What’s your view? Will you be buying AppleCare One? Please share your thoughts in the comments.Highlighted accessories Official Apple Store on Amazon Anker 511 Nano Pro ultra-compact iPhone charger Spigen MagFit case for iPhone 16e – adds MagSafe support Apple MagSafe Charger with 25w power for iPhone 16 models Apple 30W charger for above Anker 240W braided USB-C to USB-C cable You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day.
Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop.Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel
