Want to renew AppleCare+? You have to wait until it expires

Macworld

My spouse’s notes indicated the AppleCare+ coverage on her iPhone was ending within a few weeks. Try as she might, she couldn’t find a way to renew coverage even though Apple’s documentation and her Apple Account said it could be extended. We finally called Apple: the answer was that until coverage expired, it couldn’t be re-upped.

If you read Apple’s main support note on the topic, the company does tell us that–in anything but plain language. “If you paid upfront for an AppleCare+ plan, you might be able to purchase new coverage within 45 days after your original coverage ends.” Note that it says within 45 days after, which implies any period of time before that, but it is literal here: only from 0 to 45 days of expiration.

Once AppleCare+ expires, your iPhone, iPad, or Mac starts alerting you with a badge on Settings or System Settings and a banner within settings about renewing AppleCare+. That was the case for my partner, who saw the banner a day after its expiration and was then able to renew it. She also received an email that day.

You’re warned in advance about an upcoming AppleCare+ expiration (left, bottom) but can’t do anything about it. Once that date passes, you can renew (right).

Read Apple’s support note in depth, as extending coverage depends on your country and product combination. Some renewals can be extended one month at a time; others, only by a year for each renewal. Coverage ends forever if you miss the 45-day window (30 days in China).

To renew AppleCare+ on a device or for other hardware, including devices that lack a display:

On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > AppleCare & Warranty and tap the name of your device.

On a Mac, go to  > System Settings > General > AppleCare & Warranty and click the name of your device.

Log in to your Apple Account at mysupport.apple.com and click your device. Click “Show all my devices” if it’s not displayed at the top.

In both places, you’ll see a list of your hardware. If AppleCare+ is active, it’s noted with a label underneath: AppleCare+ or AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss. You can use the device details above to access support options: on an iPhone or iPad, tap Open for the Apple Support app (or install and return); on a Mac, click Details, which opens the Apple Support page for the product, first having you log in if you haven’t recently done so.

If AppleCare+ has lapsed, you see either Coverage Expired (iPhone, iPad, or Mac) or the serial number (Apple Support site).

You can find your coverage through macOS System Settings (shown), iOS/iPadOS Settings, and the Apple Support website.

Follow these steps if you have an option to renew:

Click or tap Renew AppleCare+.

Choose a monthly or annual renewal if the option is provided. (This varies by product and country.)

Proceed to agree to terms and pay.

AppleCare+ coverage will continue to renew until canceled.

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