AppleCare+ is most likely to be worth it if a cracked screen or a lost phone would be a big bill for you. It turns damage limited to the outer screen or back glass into a $29 fee and other accidental damage into $99, with no limit on how many times you claim. If you rarely damage or lose a phone, the plan may cost more than the repairs it saves.
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What AppleCare+ costs for current iPhones
Apple's US terms, dated October 28, 2026, list these prices for AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss:
- iPhone Duo: $19.99 a month, $199.99 a year or $399 for two years.
- iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max: $14.99 a month, $149.99 a year or $299 for two years.
- iPhone Air: $14.99 a month, $149.99 a year or $299 for two years.
- iPhone 17 and iPhone 16: $12.99 a month, $129.99 a year or $259 for two years.
- iPhone 17e: $10.99 a month, $109.99 a year or $219 for two years.
AppleCare+ without theft and loss cover is also sold separately, through Apple Support or by calling Apple, as a two-year plan: $329 for iPhone Duo, $229 for iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max and Air, $189 for iPhone 17 and 16, and $149 for iPhone 17e.
You can add AppleCare+ when you buy the phone or within 60 days of purchase.
What you pay when something breaks
- Outer screen or back glass only: $29 each before tax, so $58 if both break with no other damage.
- Other accidental damage: $99 per repair, which also applies if you choose Express Replacement.
- iPhone Duo inner display: $99.
- Theft or loss: $149 per approved replacement.
Accidental damage cover has no limit on the number of incidents while the plan is active. Theft and loss claims are limited to two every 12 months, and Find My has to be turned on when the phone goes missing and stay on during the claim.
Battery and support
AppleCare+ replaces the battery at no extra cost once it holds less than 80% of its original capacity. Without it, Apple's standard warranty covers defects for one year and gives you 90 days of free support, but it doesn't cover accidental damage or normal battery wear.
AppleCare One if you have several Apple devices
AppleCare One costs $19.99 a month for up to three eligible products, plus $5.99 a month for each extra one. It includes AppleCare+ benefits and theft and loss cover for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, with up to three theft or loss claims a year across your devices. AppleCare One Family costs $49.99 a month and covers eligible devices for up to six people in a Family Sharing group, with up to six claims a year.
If you would otherwise buy separate AppleCare+ plans for an iPhone plus an iPad or Apple Watch, add up their monthly prices and compare the total with the $19.99 bundle.
Working out whether it pays for you
On an iPhone 17, two years of AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss costs $259, and a repair limited to the outer screen then costs $29. Compare that with what you would pay for a repair or a replacement phone without the plan, and with how often you have needed one before.
