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DeanL

macrumors 65816
Original poster
May 29, 2014
1,363
1,302
London
Updated: as of October 2023
Guys, my original post is no longer inaccurate.

The monthly AppleCare+ can be transferred by cancelling the subscription from one Apple ID and immediately subscribing again from the new Apple ID.

Hello!

For those like me that enjoy upgrading to new devices every year, be warned that unlike the "single payment" AppleCare+, you can't transfer the monthly AppleCare+.

That means if you buy the 11 Pro Max on the monthly AppleCare+, then want to sell it next year, the buyer won't have AppleCare+ unless you keep paying for it because as Apple states on their website, it's linked to your Apple ID for billing purposes and they can't transfer it. Therefore your device will lose resale value because it won't have AppleCare+.

You've been warned! :)
 
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Hello!

For those like me that enjoy upgrading to new devices every year, be warned that unlike the "single payment" AppleCare+, you can't transfer the monthly AppleCare+.

That means if you buy the 11 Pro Max on the monthly AppleCare+, then want to sell it next year, the buyer won't have AppleCare+ unless you keep paying for it because as Apple states on their website, it's liked to your Apple ID for billing purposes and they can't transfer it. Therefore your device will lose resale value because it won't have AppleCare+.

You've been warned! :)

I am actually willing to pay for it . So it would be then ?
 
How much extra do you really net for having AC? $50 at most?

thanks for the heads up though.
 
Is this still true? Thinking of upgrading a pair of iPhone XS with monthly AppleCare+ to the iPhone 11 Pro and recalled normal AppleCare+ could be transferred
 
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Is this still true? Thinking of upgrading a pair of iPhone XS with monthly AppleCare+ to the iPhone 11 Pro and recalled normal AppleCare+ could be transferred

you are good if you get a new phone. Not being transferable effects people selling a phone with AC+.
 
I don't think this is surprising, but it's a good reminder. Monthly-billed AC/AC+ is basically a subscription by you. The fully pre-paid AC/AC+ is more like a product that was purchased and attached to the iPhone or iPad or MacBook.
 
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Curious.

If having AC+ on monthly payment basis for Apple Watch, since non transferable …. Once cancelled and sold to the new owner can the new owner initiate AC+ full or monthly?

Furthermore if I get a replacement device can THAT replacement be available to for full AppleCare+ to the new owner?
 
Curious.

If having AC+ on monthly payment basis for Apple Watch, since non transferable …. Once cancelled and sold to the new owner can the new owner initiate AC+ full or monthly?

Furthermore if I get a replacement device can THAT replacement be available to for full AppleCare+ to the new owner?

The plan is linked to your Apple ID and is not available to be restarted after canceling. The new owner will not have access to AppleCare or any of the benefits of extended coverage.
 
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I’m not sure why this is surprising, it’s my understanding that Apple care is only available for the first 2 months of a new purchase anyway. I remember my 14 pro max saying I had so many days left to subscribe or I’d lose the ability to get it. Surely someone buying one second hand won’t be expecting to have Apple care.
 
Why would that matter. I’m the one offering to pay it . My question stands ....would it work .
That just seems odd. If it's a friend or a family member that makes sense and I guess would. If it's a random stranger you sold to that's just odd. I would be very leery from buying from a 3rd party I don't know personally doing that.
 
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The plan is linked to your Apple ID and is not available to be restarted after canceling. The new owner will not have access to AppleCare or any of the benefits of extended coverage.
Mid cycle I accidentally cancelled my monthly AC+ subscription and in 24hrs was able to restart it. Maybe cause the end of month period had not been reached. I detest blanket statements without evidence.

Also, I wasn't asking if it can be 'restarted' = that would mean I'd have to restart the existing plan. I pretty much was asking if I cancelled my monthly subscription would Apple allow a new buyer to purchase a monthly or yearly subscription say within a 5 business day or 30 day time frame or at all. This would effectively not 'restart' a plan (which would mean an existing plan) but start a NEW one.

Cheers.
 
Mid cycle I accidentally cancelled my monthly AC+ subscription and in 24hrs was able to restart it. Maybe cause the end of month period had not been reached. I detest blanket statements without evidence.

Also, I wasn't asking if it can be 'restarted' = that would mean I'd have to restart the existing plan. I pretty much was asking if I cancelled my monthly subscription would Apple allow a new buyer to purchase a monthly or yearly subscription say within a 5 business day or 30 day time frame or at all. This would effectively not 'restart' a plan (which would mean an existing plan) but start a NEW one.

Cheers.

To be fair Apple states themselves that once Apple care is cancelled it is unable to be restarted. I’m looking at my email now for the Apple care on my iPhone and it’s there. It’s great you were able to restart it but Apple don’t make this clear it’s possible, not at least from the documentation I’ve seen. I think you’re right that if it was allowed to lapse beyond your next bill date then it wouldn’t then be possible but again it’s not clear.
 

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I’m not sure why people don’t read what they are actually signing up to, all of the information regarding AppleCare is available from the Apple website or when you actually sign up to it via email confirmation.
 
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Yes, if you cancel it you can restart it up to the start of the next billing period. I sold my old iPad Air and cancelled the AC+ monthly subscription, and there was a big notice in the subscription settings telling me this (and a button allowing me to restart it). Once that date goes by, the ship has sailed, the button disappears, and there is no way to restart it (or for the new buyer to purchase a plan).

I think Apple have communicated this fairly well.
 
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Hello!

For those like me that enjoy upgrading to new devices every year, be warned that unlike the "single payment" AppleCare+, you can't transfer the monthly AppleCare+.

That means if you buy the 11 Pro Max on the monthly AppleCare+, then want to sell it next year, the buyer won't have AppleCare+ unless you keep paying for it because as Apple states on their website, it's linked to your Apple ID for billing purposes and they can't transfer it. Therefore your device will lose resale value because it won't have AppleCare+.

You've been warned! :)
It makes sense, since the Apple care+ is pay as you go. You have to continue to pay for it for It to be valid.
 
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I have monthly AC+ on my 14 Pro Max that my wife is having next week. Is it still covered if my wife's AppleID is signed into instead of mine? Or does my AppleID have to stay on the phone? Would prefer to carry it on but worried it's not possible if I'm not using that phone.
 
I have monthly AC+ on my 14 Pro Max that my wife is having next week. Is it still covered if my wife's AppleID is signed into instead of mine? Or does my AppleID have to stay on the phone? Would prefer to carry it on but worried it's not possible if I'm not using that phone.
I have the same question and havent been able to find the answer either. Theoretically it should be ok, Id love to hear if someone actually did it
 
Hello!

For those like me that enjoy upgrading to new devices every year, be warned that unlike the "single payment" AppleCare+, you can't transfer the monthly AppleCare+.

That means if you buy the 11 Pro Max on the monthly AppleCare+, then want to sell it next year, the buyer won't have AppleCare+ unless you keep paying for it because as Apple states on their website, it's linked to your Apple ID for billing purposes and they can't transfer it. Therefore your device will lose resale value because it won't have AppleCare+.

You've been warned! :)
Monthly Apple Care + is never transferable since it was created, per my understanding. However, thank you for the reminder 😊
 
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