Other When Does AppleCare+ Activate? Purchase Date vs. Delivery Date vs. Later Purchase

[everestsky]

I’m trying to figure out exactly when AppleCare+ coverage starts and expires in different scenarios. Does anyone know for sure?


Situation 1:

• I purchase a Mac or iphone on April 1, 2025, and it gets delivered on April 20, 2025, sometime shipping takes 2-3 weeks.
• I also buy the 2 or 3-year AppleCare+ plan with the iphone or Mac.
• Does AppleCare+ start on April 1, 2025 (purchase date) and expire on March 31, 2028 for mac (2027 for iphone)?
• Or does it start on April 20, 2025 (delivery date) and expire on April 19, 2028 for mac (2027 for iphone)?

Situation 2:

• I receive and activate my Mac or iphone on April 23, 2025.
• I decide to buy the AppleCare+ annual plan on May 3, 2025, within the 60-day eligibility window.
• Does my first year of AppleCare+ expire on April 22, 2026 (one year from Mac/iphone activation)?
• Or does it expire on May 2, 2026 (one year from AppleCare+ purchase)?

If anyone has experience with this or has confirmed it with Apple, I’d love to know how it works! Thanks in advance.

 

[chrfr]

Applecare expiration is based on the computer's purchase date. You don't get additional coverage by buying it later.

 

[everestsky]

Applecare expiration is based on the computer's purchase date. You don't get additional coverage by buying it later.

what about shipping? sometimes shipping takes 3 weeks, does that mean the apple care+ is already in active for 3 weeks before i get the device?

 

[Bigwaff]

what about shipping? sometimes shipping takes 3 weeks, does that mean the apple care+ is already in active for 3 weeks before i get the device?

Not necessarily.. right from the Terms and Conditions...

"Plan coverage begins when the Plan is purchased or when the Covered Device is shipped (if shipping is necessary – adjustments are made to account for shipping times) and continues, unless cancelled, through the date specified in your Plan Confirmation (the “Plan Term”)."

https://www.apple.com/legal/sales-support/applecare/applecareplus/2503/250305_applecareplusmac_us.pdf