Apple is making changes to the window of time customers have to buy its AppleCare+ extended warranty for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other products. According to Bloomberg, Apple has stretched the eligibility for AppleCare+ to an entire year after the purchase of whatever device you’re covering. Retail staff and customer support staff were informed of the change on Monday, though Apple’s website still doesn’t reflect any update.
Buyers used to have a year-long window to make a decision about buying Apple’s extended warranty, but when the company added accidental damage coverage to the plans, that timeframe tightened to 60 days. Apple has gone back and forth on how long iPhone customers have, alternating between a year and the current 60 days more than once.
When purchased up front, AppleCare+ provides one additional year of warranty coverage for iPhones and iPads and two added years for Mac, plus covers accidental damage. AppleCare+ is also available for Apple Watch, AirPods and Beats headphones, HomePod, the Pro Display XDR, and iPod touch. Apple has said that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected AppleCare+ demand as consumers rethink their spending during an economic downturn. Giving them more time could help further boost the company’s services business.
