AppleCare Plus Is Getting More Expensive for Mac and iPad

Apple is increasing the price of AppleCare Plus for Macs and iPads. New subscribers will pay $0.50 more each month or $5 more annually, as reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. Current subscribers will maintain their existing rates, but anyone signing up will face the new prices right away.

What Is AppleCare Plus?

AppleCare Plus is Apple’s extended warranty and accidental damage protection plan. Think of it as insurance for your device. You pay a monthly or annual fee, and Apple covers repairs for issues like cracked screens or water damage, usually at a reduced service fee. Without this plan, replacing a MacBook screen or fixing a cracked iPad display can cost you hundreds of dollars.

You can purchase the plan as a one-time payment or as a subscription. Gurman mentions that with the new pricing, a plan for a Mac will be about $14.99 per month, up from $14.49. iPad plans will see a similar increase, with annual pricing going up by $5 across the board.

Who Gets Hit and Who Doesn’t

The price hike applies only to new sign-ups. If you’re currently subscribed to AppleCare Plus for your Mac or iPad, your rate remains the same for now. This is a common strategy companies use when raising subscription prices: keep existing customers happy to minimize backlash while increasing revenue from new subscribers.

The timing is interesting. Apple faces pressure to expand its Services segment, which includes AppleCare, iCloud, Apple Music, and the App Store. As iPhone hardware sales encounter stiff competition, increasing Services revenue—known for higher profit margins—can provide a valuable financial boost.

What This Means for Everyday Users

If you already have AppleCare Plus for your Mac or iPad, nothing changes for you today. But if your plan expires and you need to re-subscribe, or if you’re getting a new device and considering coverage, you’ll have to pay the higher rate.

For most folks, the extra costs are minimal—an additional $6 per year is unlikely to break the bank. However, it’s worth considering if AppleCare Plus is the right choice for you. If you use a protective case, don’t often travel with your device, and have a solid track record of keeping things safe, saving that monthly fee in a separate account might be wiser. On the other hand, if you tend to be accident-prone or rely heavily on your Mac for work, having coverage can pay off after just one repair.

Community Reactions

“50 cents a month is basically nothing but it’s the principle of it. They’re already making record Services revenue and now they’re nickel-and-diming AppleCare.”

“Honestly surprised it took this long. AppleCare pricing has been the same for a while. Still worth it if you have kids using an iPad.”

The Bigger Picture

This price increase doesn’t happen in isolation. Apple is reportedly exploring acquisitions of AI chip companies to enhance its server infrastructure, indicating significant investments in upcoming AI features. Meanwhile, Apple recently updated its website to showcase products eligible for sales tax holidays in 10 U.S. states, emphasizing its focus on boosting hardware sales while continuing to grow its Services segment.

Sources: The Verge — AppleCare Plus price increase report | MacRumors — Apple tax holiday listings | Engadget — Apple AI chip acquisition talks

What To Watch

• When the new pricing goes live: Gurman’s report didn’t provide an exact date, so keep an eye on Apple’s AppleCare page for the official update.
• Whether iPhones are next: This price increase applies to Macs and iPads. If Apple faces little backlash, iPhone AppleCare pricing might follow suit.
• Apple’s Q3 2026 earnings: The figures for Services revenue will reveal if these small price bumps are making an impact on Apple’s highest-margin business.
• AI chip acquisition news: Any confirmed deals for AI chip companies could indicate the direction of Apple’s server and on-device AI capabilities in 2027 and beyond.