Apple is reportedly preparing to transition away from its traditional two-to-three-year AppleCare+ subscriptions in favor of offering shorter, more flexible plans. Currently, AppleCare+ provides customers with extended hardware coverage and accidental damage protection for up to two years, with options to purchase at the time of device purchase or within 60 days afterward. However, a recent claim by well-known Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman suggests that Apple is shifting toward offering only monthly and annual subscription options for AppleCare+, starting as early as next week. This change will significantly alter how customers access and manage their device coverage.
Under the new plan, Apple will phase out the two- and three-year AppleCare+ packages, which have been available for customers purchasing Apple devices either in retail stores or online. Instead, customers will be given the choice of enrolling in monthly or annual subscriptions for the service. This change is expected to make the AppleCare+ service more adaptable to customers’ needs but may also complicate access for those who did not purchase coverage at the time of their device’s initial purchase. The switch could also affect those hoping to buy AppleCare+ at a later date through device settings, as this option may be discontinued in the future.
Gurman’s report suggests that customers purchasing an Apple device online will likely be the only ones able to opt for the longer AppleCare+ plans, and only if they buy the device directly through Apple’s online store at the time of purchase. In-store buyers or those who purchase through other means might be restricted to the monthly or annual subscription models. This change may be an attempt to offer more flexibility, allowing customers to adjust their coverage based on their needs, but it also means the once-available long-term plans will no longer be an option for many.
This shift toward shorter-term subscriptions represents a broader trend in Apple’s service offerings, which increasingly emphasize subscription-based models. While the transition might bring more predictable costs for customers who prefer ongoing service, it may also lead to confusion or frustration for those accustomed to the traditional upfront, long-term AppleCare+ options. As Apple finalizes these changes, it remains to be seen how customers will respond to this new structure and what additional adjustments might occur in the future.