Set Up an AppleCare One Plan

This user tip will explain AppleCare One setup and some of the requirements and features.

AppleCare One is a great coverage plan for your devices that first released in July 2025. Learn more about AppleCare at this link: AppleCare - Apple.

What Does AppleCare One Cover?

AppleCare One has the same coverage and deductibles as an AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss plan, but rather than an individual device, AppleCare One covers 3 devices under the subscription for $19.99/month. You may add more devices, but each one after the third is an additional $5.99/month. For example, a Pro model iPhone costs $13.99 individually, and an entry level MacBook Pro costs $9.99 individually - so even with just two devices in that scenario, you would still save around $4/month, and even more if you add a third device. Note that Theft and Loss coverage is only available for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, and that the Find My feature must be enabled on the device at the time of loss for the claim to be accepted. For Apple Watch, replacements obtained under a theft/loss claim are not guaranteed to come with the same band/color as the original. AppleCare will also cover accidental damage, i.e. physical damage the device may incur as a result of a drop, spill, etc., as well as extending the limited warranty beyond the first year to cover any manufacturing defects in the product. You do not need to pay a deductible for any hardware repair if it is the result of a defect and not accidental damage. Only accidental damage and theft/loss claims have an associated deductible, and most products will have separate deductibles for screen only damage vs. more extensive damage, with the former having a lower deductible. For a complete list of deductibles per product category, see this link: Legal - AppleCare Fees and Deductibles - Apple. To compare with out-of-warranty pricing, see this link: iPhone Repair and Service - Apple Support. You may get an unlimited number of repairs done per year for defects or accidental damage. As of July 2025, the limit for theft/loss claims per year increased from 2 to 3.

Requirements

• As of the time of this post, AppleCare One is available in the U.S. so you must have a U.S. Apple Account
• Any device added to the plan must be no more than four years old (or no more than one year old for headphones like AirPods or Beats)
• The device must be running iOS/iPadOS 18.5, macOS 15.5, visionOS 2.5, or a newer software version
• Certain devices may be required to pass a diagnostic test before they can be added depending on how old they are, and in some cases you may be prompted to visit an Apple Store so a physical check can be completed
• Devices added to AppleCare One must all be signed into the same Apple Account. At the time of this post, you cannot add family members' devices to the plan, even if using Family Sharing in iCloud
• You must have a valid payment method on file for your Apple Account, since AppleCare One is billed as a monthly subscription
• As mentioned earlier, Find My must remain enabled on the device in the event a theft or loss claim is needed
• Accessories that came with the product are also covered for defects. For iPad, the accidental damage coverage also extends to one Magic Keyboard and one Apple Pencil, however theft and loss coverage is only for the iPad itself

How Do I Set it Up?

If you are enrolling in AppleCare One when purchasing a new device, AppleCare One can be added to your bag for an online order, or a specialist at an Apple Store can help you enroll for an in-store purchase. Only the purchased device will be added to AppleCare One; to add additional devices, see the method to add them from Settings or online, explained below. If you are purchasing in-store, it helps to ensure you have the Apple Store app and that it is up to date to help save time, as the app is used to help link the AppleCare One plan to your Apple Account.

If you are enrolling in AppleCare One post-purchase, you can do so online at https://agreementsales.apple.com/acsales/, or from the Settings app (called System Settings on Mac) on an eligible device. To add it from Settings, follow the steps below:

If you purchased the device recently, you may see the option to add AppleCare as a banner in the main page of the Settings app, as shown below:

Otherwise, from your Home Screen / desktop / Home View, navigate to Settings > General > AppleCare and Warranty.

If you are already enrolled in AppleCare One, the devices on the plan will appear at the top, as shown in the image on the right above. Below that, you will find your other devices, including those that are on an individual AppleCare plan. If the device is not currently covered but is eligible, it will display a message stating this in orange text.

If you already have three devices on AppleCare One, selecting Add Device will give you the option to add an additional one for another $5.99/month, or you can also choose to swap out with another device already on the plan.

Managing the Plan and Swapping Devices

You may change which devices are covered or cancel the coverage at any time. Go to the AppleCare & Warranty option in the General menu in Settings again. You can select any of the currently covered devices, and there will be an option to Manage Subscription if you want to cancel, or the option to remove that particular device from AppleCare One, as shown below. Removing a device will free up a slot for another to be added at no additional cost as long as you stay within the limit of three devices. To cancel or manage the plan, you can also go to Settings > your name > Subscriptions. More information available at this link: Add or remove a device from your AppleCare One plan - Apple Support.

My Device was Damaged or Lost/Stolen. What do I do Now?

For defect or accidental damage issues, you can visit the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store, or arrange a mail-in repair by either:

• Calling or chatting with Apple Support (1-800-APL-CARE)
• Through the Apple Support app
• Scheduling a reservation at the Genius Bar at the nearest Apple Store

Some devices may have the option for express replacement service - another AppleCare benefit - when doing a mail-in repair, entitling you to a loaner while your device is being repaired. If you prefer an in-person repair but are not located near an Apple Store, you can also find Apple Authorized Service Providers near you at this link: Explore Service Locations. If you are in a country outside of the U.S., you can change the "en_US" locale at the end of the above URL to your country code to see local service options.

For theft and loss claims, the replacements are not issued in-store, but rather by filling out the form at: mysupport.apple.com/theftandloss. Ensure that you have another Apple device signed into your Apple Account, or a trusted phone number with you when you file the claim, as you will need to receive a six-digit code to sign into this page if two-factor authentication is turned on for your Apple Account.

Theft and loss claims can be filed from anywhere, but the replacement can only be delivered to a supported country. To see which countries are supported for theft and loss claims, see this link: AppleCare Theft and Loss Coverage for iPhone - Official Apple Support.