In general, the editors at MacRumors feel that AppleCare is worth getting for Apple laptops that you plan on keeping for longer than one year, and iPhone, iPads, and Apple Watches due to the accidental damage coverage. AppleCare is certainly not essential, and can be worth the additional peace of mind.
The Bottom Line. All in all, if you use a simple screen lock passcode or you disable Find My iPhone feature, your iPhone will be easily unlocked once it's lost or stolen. So for security reasons, be sure to use a strong passcode and turn on Find My iPhone at any time to prevent accidents.
For iPhone, use the “Find My Phone” app and for Android, use the “Android Device Manager” app. Yes, the police can track a stolen phone using either your phone number or the phone's IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity). Whether or not the police prioritize looking for your stolen phone is another matter.
What that means is even when a thief or a third-party has your iPhone, it's still tied to your Apple ID and can't be used with any other account. Your iPhone can even be wiped completely and it will still be locked down, making it almost useless to anyone but you.
If you've only damaged the screen, a screen replacement is only $29. But if the iPhone has other damage, the fee is $99. iPhones are eligible for the Express Replacement Service, letting you request a replacement device in the mail before you send your original damaged device in for repair.
If your phone goes missing or gets stolen, your carrier should be your first call (though you'll have to borrow someone else's phone, obviously). The network operator can make sure no one is running up a bill using your texts or call credits, or tried to impersonate you using your mobile number.
Including loss and theft protection: $150 or $8 per month. If you're prone to breaking or losing your phone, AppleCare+ could save you money. But if you're the type of person who doesn't generally lose or drop a phone, that $200 to $270 coverage fee could easily be money down the drain.
For any model iPhone under either AppleCare+ or AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss, replacing a phone with screen damage will cost you an extra $29. Replacing a phone with any other accidental damage will bring the price to $99.
Is the AppleCare Protection Plan or AppleCare+ transferable? Yes. If you choose to sell or give away your Apple product, you can also transfer the ownership of the AppleCare Protection Plan or AppleCare+.
Apple provides a simple way to exchange your old iPhone for a new one. You don't even have to go into an Apple Retail Store if you don't want to. You can mail in your old device for a gift card that you can use at Apple online or at a retail store near you to put toward your new iPhone or any store purchase.
If it was in warranty it should be new. As per the warranty terms or out of warranty terms, your replacement phone "can" be a refurbished unit, which will be indistinguishable from new. Most replacement units are refurbished. You might want to read the warranty terms, as nothing could be further from the truth.
If your iPhone issue is covered by the Apple warranty, AppleCare+, or consumer law, there's no charge. This does not include accidental damage, which requires a fee. These out-of-warranty prices are for repairs made by Apple.
No. What you cannot do is track your device using a serial number or other identifying number. You cannot expect Apple or anyone else to find your device for you. You cannot recover your loss unless you insure your device for such loss.
How to Claim Your $25 from the iPhone Batterygate Settlement
- From the settlement page, click Claim Form Online.
- Find your iPhone's serial number under Settings > General > About > Serial Number.
- If you no longer have your phone or can't find your serial number, you can look it up by entering your Apple ID, the device type, and your name and address.
AppleCare+ does not cover a stolen Apple Watch. No - neither Apple's Limited Warranty nor AppleCare+ provides for a replacement Apple Watch in the event that yours is stolen. Be sure to follow the instructions here in respect of your stolen Apple Watch: If your Apple Watch is lost or stolen - Apple Support.
