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AppleCare One vs AppleCare+: Which One Should You Choose?
Not sure whether to choose AppleCare+ or the new AppleCare One? This guide compares coverage, pricing, and key benefits to help you pick the right protection plan.
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Key Takeaways:
- What AppleCare+ covers: It’s Apple’s single-device warranty with hardware repairs, accidental damage protection, 24/7 support, and coverage for theft or loss.
- What AppleCare One adds: It’s a flexible plan for up to three devices, offering the same coverage across the board, and makes it easy to swap or add devices anytime.
- Key difference between the two: AppleCare+ is one-device only with custom plans, while AppleCare One lets you manage multiple devices under one subscription-handy for folks deep in the Apple ecosystem.
- Which one saves you more: If you’ve got premium devices or multiple iPhones, AppleCare One’s flat coverage could be the smarter buy. But for just one device, AppleCare+ might still edge out on price.
- How to pick the right one: Stick with AppleCare+ if your setup’s simple. Go with AppleCare One if you juggle several devices or just like keeping things flexible. Trust me, it’s nice not having to think too hard about switching coverage.
If you’re buying an Apple device, chances are you’ve come across AppleCare+ as an optional add-on. But now, there’s a new player in town: AppleCare One. This multi-device protection plan aims to simplify coverage, especially if you own multiple Apple products. So, which one is right for you?
Let’s break it down to help you figure out which plan fits your setup better and which one could actually save you money.
What Is AppleCare+?
AppleCare+ is Apple’s extended warranty program. It offers coverage that goes beyond the standard 1-year limited warranty and includes:
- Hardware repairs for manufacturing defects
- Accidental damage protection (with service fees)
- Express Replacement Service so you receive a new device before returning the damaged one
- 24/7 Apple support via chat or phone
- Theft and loss protection (iPhone only, available in most countries)
The catch is that AppleCare+ is tied to just one device. So, if you own an iPhone, iPad, and MacBook, you’ll need to purchase three separate AppleCare+ plans.
Related: How to Check the Warranty Status of your iPhone, Mac, and other Apple Devices
What Is AppleCare One?
AppleCare One is Apple’s new multi-device protection subscription designed to simplify support for users with multiple Apple products. For $19.99/month, you can cover up to three Apple devices, mixing and matching iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and even the Vision Pro. Want to cover more? You can add extra devices for $5.99/month each.
Here’s what AppleCare One includes:
- Everything that AppleCare+ offers, including accidental damage coverage
- Theft and loss protection for iPads and Apple Watches in addition to iPhones
- Coverage for devices up to 4 years old if they’re in good condition
- Unlimited accidental damage repairs (subject to deductibles)
- Three theft or loss claims per year, shared across all covered devices
Important: All devices must be linked to the same Apple ID. AppleCare One does not support Family Sharing.
AppleCare+ vs AppleCare One: A Quick Comparison
Here’s a side-by-side breakdown of both plans so you can compare them at a glance:
| Feature | AppleCare+ | AppleCare One |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Devices Covered | One device per plan | Up to 3 devices for $19.99/month |
| Add More Devices | Buy separate plans | Add extra devices for $5.99/month each |
| Eligible Device Age | Within 60 days of purchase | Devices up to 4 years old if in good condition |
| Device Flexibility | Fixed once purchased | Add or remove devices anytime |
| Monthly Coverage Extension | Yes, if you don’t cancel | Yes, while subscription stays active |
| Accidental Damage Coverage | Yes (unlimited with deductibles) | Yes (unlimited with deductibles) |
| Theft and Loss Coverage | iPhone only (select regions) | iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch (U.S. only) |
| Support | 24/7 Apple support | 24/7 Apple support |
| Express Replacement | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing Structure | Varies per device | Flat $19.99/month for 3 devices |
| Best For | Single-device or low-cost users | Multi-device users with premium devices |
AppleCare+ vs AppleCare One: Which Offers Better Value?
In many cases, AppleCare One is the more attractive choice:
- AppleCare+ limits theft or loss coverage to iPhones, while AppleCare One adds protection for iPads and Apple Watches.
- AppleCare+ only lets you enroll devices within 60 days of purchase. AppleCare One allows protection for devices up to 4 years old.
- You can easily add or remove devices under AppleCare One, with no need to cancel or restart your plan.
- Vision Pro alone costs $24.99/month under AppleCare+. AppleCare One covers it and two additional devices for only $19.99/month.
When AppleCare+ Makes More Sense
Just because AppleCare One is bundled does not mean it’s always the cheaper option. If you own less expensive devices, AppleCare+ might still save you money. For example:
- Mac Mini ($3.49) + iPad mini ($4.99) + Apple Watch SE ($2.99) = $11.47/month with AppleCare+
This is significantly cheaper than the $19.99/month AppleCare One plan.
When AppleCare One Makes More Sense
But for premium devices:
- iPhone 16 Pro Max ($13.99) + iPad Pro 13-inch ($10.99) + MacBook Pro 14-inch ($9.99) = $34.97/month with AppleCare+. You save almost $15/month by switching to AppleCare One.
- Add Vision Pro, and the savings can go up to $35/month.
So whether to get AppleCare One or AppleCare+ boils down to one thing: Calculation.
Let’s Do the Math
Here’s a list of AppleCare+ pricing by device (as of July 2025):
| Device Category | Model / Device | AppleCare+ Price |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone | iPhone 16e | $9.99/month |
| iPhone 16, 15 | $11.99/month | |
| iPhone 16 Plus, 15 Plus | $12.99/month | |
| iPhone 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max | $13.99/month | |
| Mac | Mac mini | $3.49/month |
| Mac Studio / iMac | $5.99/month | |
| MacBook Air (13″) | $6.99/month | |
| MacBook Air (15″) | $7.99/month | |
| MacBook Pro (14″) | $9.99/month | |
| MacBook Pro (16″) | $14.99/month | |
| Mac Pro | $17.99/month | |
| iPad | iPad / iPad mini | $4.99/month |
| iPad Air (11″) | $5.99/month | |
| iPad Air (13″) | $6.99/month | |
| iPad Pro (11″) | $9.99/month | |
| iPad Pro (13″) | $10.99/month | |
| Apple Watch | Watch SE | $2.99/month |
| Watch Series 10 | $4.99/month | |
| Watch Ultra / Hermès | $5.99/month | |
| Other Devices | Vision Pro | $24.99/month |
| AirPods / Beats | $1.49/month | |
| AirPods Max | $2.99/month | |
| Apple TV | $9.99/year | |
| HomePod mini | $9.99/year | |
| HomePod | $19.99/year | |
| Studio Display | $4.99/month | |
| Pro Display XDR | $17.99/month |
Note: Adding a fourth device to AppleCare One costs $5.99/month. Only add it if the individual AppleCare+ cost of that device is more than $5.99/month. Otherwise, buy its coverage separately.
So, What Should You Choose?
Each plan has its own pros and cons to begin with. AppleCare One is limited to the US, whereas AppleCare+ is available in over 44 countries, including the US, Canada, India, and many countries in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
On the other hand, AppleCare One lets you subscribe even for older devices, which is not an option with the Plus plan.
| When to Get AppleCare+ | When to Get AppleCare One |
|---|---|
| 1. You own 1 or 2 Apple devices | 1. You own 3 or more Apple devices |
| 2. Individual subscription costs are less than $19.99/month | 2. Individual subscription costs are more than $19.99/month |
| 3. You want 2 theft/loss claims per device | 3. You need theft/loss coverage for Apple Watch or iPad |
| 4. You’re on the iPhone Upgrade Program or have carrier-bundled AppleCare+ | 4. Your device is older than 60 days (up to 4 years old, if in good condition) |
| 5. You prefer annual billing options | 5. You want flexibility to add/remove devices as needed |
| 6. You are outside the U.S. (AppleCare One is U.S.-only for now) | 6. You’re fine with a monthly subscription only |
If it comes down to value, then as mentioned, pick AppleCare One when your top three devices cost more than $20/month combined. Stick to AppleCare+ if not. And for extras, only add them to AppleCare One if they cost more than $5.99/month. Otherwise, go with individual AppleCare+.
Don’t miss these related reads:
- Apple Service Programs: How to Get Free Fixes Even Without Warranty
- How to use Apple’s Self Service Repair Program to fix your iPhone, iPad, or Mac
- How to add AppleCare plan to iPhone and Mac after purchase
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