Want to keep your older model iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch but worried because it’s about to lose Apple Care+ warranty coverage? Thinking of purchasing a new device since repairing an older, out of warranty device costs almost as much as a new one?
How would you like to extend your Apple Care+ coverage beyond the normal 2 years? If you answered yes, we have great news for you! Apple is allowing users to purchase monthly Apple Care+ plans following the normal expiration of their current device’s Apple Care plans!
With the launch of Apple’s iPhone 11 Series models, Apple introduces a new option for folks wanting to ensure their devices using Apple Care: a monthly plan that automatically renews every month until you cancel it!
That means that you can have an Apple Care+ warranty on your device for as long as you own it–not just the first 2 years!
Can I purchase a monthly Apple Care+ plan for my older Apple device?
But what about those of us with Apple Care+ plans that paid upfront a few years ago–and have devices that run out of Apple Care+ coverage in the coming months?
Well, there’s good news there too!
If you paid upfront for Apple Care within the last two years (24 months) for most Apple Watches, and all iPhones and iPads or last three years for certain Apple Watch models, you can renew coverage on an on-going monthly basis after that initial Apple Care+ warranty of 24 or 36 months is over.
For folks hesitant to upgrade iPhones, iPad, or Watches that are just about 2 years old and near the expiration date of their Apple Care+ plan, this is awesome news!
The main caveat:
you must sign up for this monthly Apple Care+ subscription within 60 days from the end of your original Apple Care+ warranty’s expiration date.
So, let’s say your iPhone X warranty expires on Nov. 20, 2019. You have until Jan. 19, 2020 to sign up for warranty continuation, paid monthly until you cancel.
How do I renew Apple Care+ coverage for my iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch?
1) Check when your current coverage ends
Visit mysupport.apple.com, sign in with your Apple ID., and select your device
If your device currently is covered by Apple Care, you see the Apple Care logo beneath it
Tap it to see the details including coverage end date and original purchase date as well as other vital warranty information
Or use Apple’s Support app, tap your name, and choose Check Coverage
Open the App Support app on one of your devices
Tap your picture or profile icon
Choose Check Coverage
Tap the device you want to look up information for–a snapshot of warranty information appears beneath the device’s name
See the details of your current Apple Care warranty including expiration date
2) Sign up monthly and renew your coverage
Visit mysupport.apple.com, sign in with your Apple ID, and select your device
If you are within that 60-day window, you are able to sign up for a monthly plan that extends the life of your Apple Care+ plan for that device indefinitely, as long as you pay the monthly premium
Monthly plans automatically renew until canceled so if you give away, sell, or recycle your device, make sure you cancel its Apple Care+ plan
How do I cancel my Apple Care+ monthly plan?
Apple views your Apple Care+ plan as a subscription, just like Apple Music or Apple News+. So it’s easy to cancel it from your device itself.
Go to Settings > Apple ID > Subscriptions
Tap your Apple Care+ plan
Choose Cancel Subscription
What countries offer the monthly Apple Care+ plans?
Since this option is so new, we know it’s offered to US customers and our Canadian neighbors tell us they can purchase these plans as well.
We fully expect most countries that have traditional Apple Care+ warranties to offer these subscription service plans moving forward.
If your country or region offers the monthly Apple Care+ extension plan, let us know in the comments!
For most of her professional life, Amanda Elizabeth (Liz for short) trained all sorts of folks on how to use media as a tool to tell their own unique stories. She knows a thing or two about teaching others and creating how-to guides!
Her clients include Edutopia, Scribe Video Center, Third Path Institute, Bracket, The Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Big Picture Alliance.
Elizabeth received her Master of Fine Arts degree in media making from Temple University, where she also taught undergrads as an adjunct faculty member in their department of Film and Media Arts.
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