Never had Apple Care for any of my devices. Used only Apple devices for the past 15 years. Nothing ever broke, and usually, my credit card company has some insurances in place for me being clumsy. Which I have not been…
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iPad Pro Apple Care for iPad or not?
- Thread starter AVBeatMan
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Nope. Use a good screen protector and a rugged case, never bought Apple care for any of my devices
It is finally worth it for me. I just had my iPad 12.9 M2 replaced because the screen had some serious dead pixels that were so obvious. Now it is hard for me to upgrade to the new M4 since I just got this brand new M2 again…
Yes, AC+ was worth it. Australian customer here.
Unfortunately the outright 2 year purchase price has gone up to about $250 AUD - knocked down to $220 with corporate discount.
Take note of the following:
-Screen damage - $45. Any other damage - $165. Either provides a massive saving over if “other damage” happens to the device without AC+, which will set you back $1439 AUD - basically almost as much as a new device itself. Also keep in mind iPad doesn’t have the same water resistance as iPhone and accidents happen.
-For the above, the specialist confirmed for either incident, you will get a new iPad Pro replacement - they are unable to just replace the screen. So same with AppleWatch AC+.
-Expensive Magic Keyboard ($500) and Apple Pencil Pro ($220) are also covered for a full replacement for $45 if anything other than loss or theft happens to them.
To me, the $220 for two years peace of mind was more than worth it.
Unfortunately the outright 2 year purchase price has gone up to about $250 AUD - knocked down to $220 with corporate discount.
Take note of the following:
-Screen damage - $45. Any other damage - $165. Either provides a massive saving over if “other damage” happens to the device without AC+, which will set you back $1439 AUD - basically almost as much as a new device itself. Also keep in mind iPad doesn’t have the same water resistance as iPhone and accidents happen.
-For the above, the specialist confirmed for either incident, you will get a new iPad Pro replacement - they are unable to just replace the screen. So same with AppleWatch AC+.
-Expensive Magic Keyboard ($500) and Apple Pencil Pro ($220) are also covered for a full replacement for $45 if anything other than loss or theft happens to them.
To me, the $220 for two years peace of mind was more than worth it.
Yes! I dropped my M2 Pro and cracked the screen. It was only $49+ tax to get a replacement. Never say never, anyone can have an accident at any time!
I always try to get Apple care on my products. You never know when things can fall, a slip etc. If you have toddlers please get it asap, it's just so worth it for peace of mind.
You may be a very careful person with your Apple toys. However, hardware can fail at any time. Unless you are willing to self-insure, AppleCare+ is definitely a good option. Don’t forget that AC+ also includes Express Replacement (like the iPhone).
Years ago, when I got my first iPad, I went without AC, because I thought it was a waste because I respect my things and take really good care of them.
A couple of my students pointed out that the people around you might not be, you could be jostled or have it knocked out of your hands by anything/anyone... I bought AC, and have continued to do so.
It's worth it for the peace of mind for me.
A couple of my students pointed out that the people around you might not be, you could be jostled or have it knocked out of your hands by anything/anyone... I bought AC, and have continued to do so.
It's worth it for the peace of mind for me.
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It's an age old expression. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
I think of the AppleCare+ decision on a spectrum. There are factors that make it more logical to get, or less “value”. Things like:
- Use case of the device - travel with it a lot?
- Are you a clumsy person? Do you have young kids who will use it / be around it?
- Do you have a higher-priced config? AppleCare+ is the same cost regardless, so cost of AppleCare+ is a lower % of the “buy-new” price for higher configs
- Typical insurance logic: if you had to replace it outright, how much would that $ outlay hurt? This is a relative / subjective question
For me, I have AppleCare+ on my iPhone (as I use it naked w/out a case, and take it with me everywhere) and my MBP (more expensive config, if it breaks, the $ outlay is significant). I don’t on any of my iPads (even my new M4 11” iPad Pro I just got), my Apple Watch (cheap enough would just buy a new one if it breaks), or any of my Apple TVs or Apple Homepod Minis (never moves).
- Use case of the device - travel with it a lot?
- Are you a clumsy person? Do you have young kids who will use it / be around it?
- Do you have a higher-priced config? AppleCare+ is the same cost regardless, so cost of AppleCare+ is a lower % of the “buy-new” price for higher configs
- Typical insurance logic: if you had to replace it outright, how much would that $ outlay hurt? This is a relative / subjective question
For me, I have AppleCare+ on my iPhone (as I use it naked w/out a case, and take it with me everywhere) and my MBP (more expensive config, if it breaks, the $ outlay is significant). I don’t on any of my iPads (even my new M4 11” iPad Pro I just got), my Apple Watch (cheap enough would just buy a new one if it breaks), or any of my Apple TVs or Apple Homepod Minis (never moves).
Let me add to that peace of mind. I don't worry if something might happen to my expensive devices.
Plus….devices can go wacko by themselves.
If your iPad has a fault once out of warranty, it’s gonna cost you to get repaired.
Normally I wouldn’t get it for the iPad, but repair and replacement costs for the new Pros are extremely high so this time I added AppleCare. Mentally, I just saw it as a part of the price. A requirement. A bit like sales tax. You know you need to add it on top of the base price.
Yes, someone said it earlier in the thread, but the fact that this is a new model update (eg. with a first generation Tandem OLED screen), all things equal, may make more sense to have AppleCare+ just in case things get unreliable down the road... Apple may put in some kind of extended warranty program if there are issues, but they've also been late / hesitant to do so unless forced, so may make more sense for the M4 iPP, than for example the 2020 - 2023 versions...
Question for you guys... my M2 iPad Pro was on a 2-year AppleCare and then I switched it to a monthly payment. After I gave it to my spouse, the device is no longer under my list of device. Does that mean the AppleCare will stop as well?
I bought a new M4 with Apple.com with the Pencil Pro and the Magic Keyboard. Somehow, only the Pencil's serial number shows up as with AppleCare, but not the keyboard. I don't care about the coverage. I should have bought the iPad with Keyboard and buy the pencil later.
I bought a new M4 with Apple.com with the Pencil Pro and the Magic Keyboard. Somehow, only the Pencil's serial number shows up as with AppleCare, but not the keyboard. I don't care about the coverage. I should have bought the iPad with Keyboard and buy the pencil later.
On the first issue, my understanding is that the AppleCare+ is tied to the device, not the Apple ID. This is the same reason AppleCare+ transfers after a device is sold to a different person.
On the second issue, from what others here have said, for some reason Apple only lists one accessory in the system as being covered, but both are actually covered. I don’t have personal experience with this but others have said they were able to get both accessories serviced without issues, regardless of which is shown as being covered. They are both tied to the iPad’s serial number.
So you are able to buy for two years and then add monthly after the two years expires?
I got the monthly plan for my new iPad Pro recently, I just like having the extra peace of mind for the first couple of months in which I use it. Once the novelty wears off I‘ll probably cancel it, my main concerns are always display scratches and such and it usually turns out not to be a problem (or I end up getting a screen protector anyway).
Like any insurance purchase it's a judgement call depending on your individual circumstances. Friends often ask me the same question. I tell them that if they have young children or pets they should probably buy AC+ as kids/pets significantly increase the chance of damage/spills. If not, they might do better spending that $$$ on an external Time Machine SSD instead.
I think the best thing about the iPad plan is it also covers the Magic Keyboard and Pencil. My last Magic Keyboard started peeling, so would be nice to have the replaced under warranty. Doubt if this one will be any different, as still the same material in the back and bottom.
So AppleCare+ is only tied to the device if you buy the 2yr plan. If you buy (or once you switch to) the monthly plan, it’s tied to your Apple ID. So unfortunately, once you give it to your spouse, and assuming she “takes ownership of it” under her Apple ID, the AppleCare+ is over and cannot be transferred / device can’t be covered. This is one of the somewhat lesser known downsides to going with the monthly plan - if you sell it (common scenario), the new owner can’t keep the AppleCare, nor can it be added again once they take ownership.
I‘m someone that has the monthly AppleCare+ plan for my 1) 2021 14” M1 Pro MBP (annual plan in this case), and 2) iPhone 15 Pro Max. As I plan to own all my devices long-term, it’s not as big an issue for me. But I recently thought about selling my MBP, but made note of the fact that if I sell it (eg. on Swappa), the new buyer can’t keep the AppleCare+. Whereas if you bought the 3yr plan (and it’s still in the term), it transfers to the new buyer.
Good call, this is true. I spoke with Apple Support just now because this is actually relevant to me (transferring AppleCare+ on a 13” iPad to my spouse for use under her Apple ID), and what they said is that since it’s still within the 60 day window to purchase AppleCare+, even if I were to cancel my plan, once she signs in using her Apple ID, she would still get the option to purchase a plan, either monthly or annual. Outside of the 60 day window, you are absolutely correct, there doesn’t seem to be a way around transferring the AppleCare+ agreement.
Note, monthly AC+ keeps on going unless you manually cancel it.
Even if you transfer to your spouse and she signs in using her Apple ID, the monthly AC+ will continue to show up and be paid under your subscriptions. This is fine within a family setting. Not so much if you’re selling devices.