Apple Launches $20 Subscription Service for Better Gadget Protection

Tech giant introduces AppleCare One, offering bundled device protection for multiple products at significant savings.

Apple unveiled AppleCare One on Tuesday, a streamlined subscription service that allows customers to protect multiple devices under a single plan for $19.99 per month. The new offering marks a big shift in Apple's device protection strategy. It can potentially save customers up to $11 monthly compared to individual AppleCare+ plans.

The service, launching Thursday in the United States, covers up to three Apple products under one subscription, with additional devices available for $5.99 per month each. This represents a major departure from Apple's traditional approach of requiring separate protection plans for each device.

"At Apple, we're focused on creating and delivering exceptional experiences," said Bob Borchers, Apple's vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "Built on the trusted foundation of AppleCare+, AppleCare One extends that same reliability and makes it easier than ever to protect the products you love and depend on like iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, combining simplicity and exceptional value."

Key Features and Coverage

AppleCare One includes all the benefits of the existing AppleCare+ service, including:

• Unlimited repairs for accidental damage such as drops and spills
• 24/7 priority support from Apple experts
• Battery service coverage
• Quick and convenient Apple-certified repairs

In a notable expansion, AppleCare One also expands theft and loss protection beyond iPhone to also cover iPad and Apple Watch. This feature, previously exclusive to iPhone coverage, now extends protection across Apple's primary mobile devices.

Breaking the 60-Day Barrier

Perhaps most significantly, AppleCare One dramatically extends the enrollment window. With AppleCare One, customers can now add products they already own that are up to four years old if they are in good condition. This represents a substantial change from the current 60-day window for purchasing AppleCare+.

To verify device eligibility, products may need to undergo a diagnostic check using a customer's iPhone or iPad, or at an Apple Store, before being added to the plan.

Simplified Device Management

The new service streamlines coverage management in several ways. When a customer trades in a covered product directly to Apple, it is automatically removed from their AppleCare One plan and replaced with the new device. This automatic transfer eliminates the hassle of canceling old coverage and purchasing new plans during device upgrades.

As a monthly subscription, AppleCare One allows customers to maintain coverage indefinitely and move products in and out of their plan at any time, providing unprecedented flexibility for multi-device households.

With subscription fatigue becoming a growing concern among consumers, Apple's strategy of compiling multiple protection plans into one may resonate with customers in a big way.

AppleCare One will be available starting Thursday, July 24, 2025, through Apple's website, retail stores, and directly through device settings on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.