AppleCare for a MacBook, what it covers and what it costs

AppleCare+ for a Mac adds unlimited repairs for accidental damage, battery replacement and 24/7 priority support on top of Apple's one-year limited warranty. In the UK it costs from £4.99 a month for MacBook Neo to £15.99 a month for the 16-inch MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display. All figures here are from Apple's AppleCare pages, as of 30 October 2026.

What does AppleCare+ cover on a Mac?

Apple's AppleCare page lists three things for Mac plans:

• Unlimited repairs for accidents like drops and spills. Apple says liquid damage is covered as part of accidental damage protection. Each repair has a fee, listed below.
• Battery replacements at no extra charge if your Mac battery holds less than 80 percent of its original capacity.
• 24/7 priority support from Apple experts, by text, the Apple Support app, phone, online or in person at an Apple Store.

Apple says AppleCare plans extend the hardware cover of the limited warranty, which for most Apple products is one year. Plans also cover the cables and power adapter that came in the box with your Mac.

For Mac repairs, the UK page lists onsite service, where a courier collects your Mac, and repairs by post. The US page says Apple will send a technician to you or have a courier pick up your Mac.

Does AppleCare cover a stolen MacBook?

No. Apple's FAQ says: "Theft and loss coverage is included for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch with both your AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss and AppleCare One plans." Mac isn't on that list. If your MacBook is stolen, see MacBook stolen, what to do.

How much is AppleCare+ for each MacBook?

Apple's "AppleCare pricing for all Mac models" table, as shown on its UK and US pages. Plans run until cancelled, paid monthly or yearly.

What do you pay for each Mac repair?

Each accidental damage repair carries a fee. Apple calls it an excess fee in the UK and a service fee in the US:

Apple says separate charges apply to each repair or replacement.

What is AppleCare One?

AppleCare One covers several Apple products in one plan, with all the AppleCare+ benefits plus theft and loss cover for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.

• UK: from £16.99 a month until cancelled, for up to three products, and £4.99 a month for each one you add. Apple's UK FAQ says it covers devices on the same Apple Account as the subscriber.
• US, Individual: up to three products from $19.99 a month, and $5.99 a month for each one you add.
• US, Family: $49.99 a month for all eligible products of up to six people in your Family Sharing group.

You can add devices you already own if they're in good condition and four years old or newer, and Apple says a diagnostic check or inspection may be required.

When can you buy AppleCare for a Mac?

Apple says you can start an AppleCare+ or AppleCare One plan when you buy a new product from Apple in person, online or in the Apple Store app. For 60 days after a new Apple purchase, you can get a plan through the Settings app on your Mac. Coverage starts when your device ships, is picked up, or on the purchase date if you already have it, and it can be cancelled at any time.

In the UK, Apple says AppleCare+ and AppleCare One aren't available in the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

What should UK buyers know?

Apple's UK page says AppleCare+ products are insurance policies issued by American International Group UK Limited. It also says AppleCare+ benefits are separate from your right to a free repair or replacement from the seller for goods that don't conform with the contract of sale, and that under English law consumers have up to six years from delivery to use those rights, though various factors may affect eligibility.

How do you decide whether it's worth it?

Apple's figures give you the numbers to work with. Questions to answer for yourself:

1. What would one repair cost you? Compare the yearly price for your model with the excess or service fee for the damage you're most likely to have.
2. Where do you use your Mac? Drops and spills are what the accidental damage cover is for.
3. How long will you keep it? The plan runs until cancelled, and battery replacement applies when capacity falls below 80 percent.
4. Do you have several Apple devices? AppleCare One covers up to three for one price, with theft and loss cover for the iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch among them.

Where Failshot fits

AppleCare looks after the hardware. Your password is the first layer. Failshot is the second: second layer device security that, while it's on, photographs whoever unlocks your Mac, then, with Pro, records a 5-second video. With Pro, turn on alerts and Failshot emails you about an unlock you don't confirm as yours.

Failshot is for macOS 14 or later. Free to download. It's free to use. Pro adds video, email alerts and the encrypted vault, and you can try Pro free for 7 days. The trial is on failshot.app, for the Mac. iPhone, Android and Windows are coming soon.

More questions

How much is AppleCare+ for the new MacBook Pro with M6?

Apple lists £9.99 a month or £99.99 a year in the UK, and $10.99 a month or $109.99 a year in the US, for the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6.

Can I buy AppleCare after buying my MacBook?

Yes, within 60 days of a new Apple purchase. Apple says you can get a plan through the Settings app on your Mac during that time.

Does AppleCare+ cover liquid damage on a Mac?

Yes. Apple says liquid damage is covered as part of accidental damage protection, with a fee of £109 to £229 in the UK or $149 to $299 in the US for other accidental damage.

Does AppleCare+ cover the MacBook battery?

Yes. Apple replaces the battery at no additional fee if it holds less than 80 percent of its original capacity.

Is AppleCare+ the same as the Apple warranty?

No. Apple says most products come with one year of hardware cover through the limited warranty, and AppleCare plans extend that and add accidental damage protection and 24/7 priority support.

Sources

• AppleCare, Apple (UK)
• AppleCare, Apple (US)
• Apple introduces the new 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6, Apple Newsroom (UK), 27 October 2026