AppleCare Plus Warranty Program Sign-Ups Extended To 12 Months

Apple is now allowing customers to subscribe to its AppleCare+ service up to a year after purchasing a new iDevice, a report says.

Cupertino tech giant Apple previously gave customers 60 days after the date of purchase to sign up to get AppleCare+ coverage for their devices. Signing up for this provides users with warranty and support for their new iPhone, iPad, MacBook and other iDevices against accidental damage.

Now, Apple is extending that sign-up period. According to an internal memo seen by Bloomberg, Apple told its employees to allow customers to sign up for AppleCare+ coverage up to 12 months from the date of purchase. This will give the company's clients more time to think and save up for the support plan.

“This gives customers another opportunity to protect their device and have access to all the AppleCare+ benefits,” Apple said in the memo.

Apple told its employees that customers will be allowed to avail of AppleCare+ after 60 days if they are paying for the service in full or if they will subscribe via installments on the Apple Card. Those who will pay on a monthly basis will not be allowed to sign up for the service.

Those who are interested in the AppleCare+ coverage will need to have their device screened by an Apple employee before being allowed to purchase. This is to verify that the device hasn't been damaged prior to getting the service. Owners of damaged devices will not be able to sign up for AppleCare+.

AppleCare+ can be a bit costly, but it provides subscribers with some peace of mind knowing that their new iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch or other iDevices can be repaired for less in the event of an accident.

An iPhone AppleCare+ plan, for example, can cost about $200. It does, however, significantly reduce the amount needed to repair the device, down to as low as $29 for screen damage.

AppleCare+ also includes coverage for accessories such as AirPods, AirPods Pro Beats-branded headphones. It can also include coverage for iPad input devices: the Apple Pencil and iPad keyboards (such as the Magic Keyboard with floating hinge).