AppleCare+ Policy Change Coming to Apple Stores

Starting next week, Apple's retail stores will no longer offer AppleCare+ plans as a one-time purchase, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

applecare apple care banner
Instead, he said the stores will only offer AppleCare+ as a subscription. For example, AppleCare+ for the iPhone 16 Pro Max costs $9.99 per month, or $199 upfront for two years. The latter option would no longer be available at Apple's stores.

Fortunately, Gurman said AppleCare+ will remain available as a one-time purchase on Apple's online store, at least for now.

It is unclear if this policy change is limited to the U.S. or will apply worldwide.

Apple likely profits more by offering AppleCare+ as a monthly or annual subscription, which helps to boost the company's services revenue.

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Top Rated Comments

Chet-NYC Avatar
9 weeks ago
That's a HUGE change. The one time $199 was $40 cheaper than doing it monthly. I also figure that people won't, or will forget to unsubscribe after two years. Someone keeps their phone three years, that's another $120 of revenue.

I hate how seemingly everything in life is becoming a subscription.
Score: 66 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Expos of 1969 Avatar
9 weeks ago
Soon you will have to buy a subscription "Shop Apple" to buy any products...
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thefrost Avatar
9 weeks ago
What's next? Subscription for viewing the App Store?
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Plutonius Avatar
9 weeks ago
I don't bother with AppleCare on any of my products anymore.

Like any insurance, it's priced such that Apple makes a profit.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
McNads Avatar
9 weeks ago

It’s better monthly as you can extend it beyond the 2 years.
You can extend one-time purchase AC+ after two years in quite a few regions.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ThomasJL Avatar
9 weeks ago
Tim Crook just keeps getting worse and worse.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)