Apple’s iPhone customers now have the option to upgrade warranties for much longer a period of time than in the past.
Existing iPhone owners can purchase AppleCare+, Apple’s repair and warranty service, for up to one year after they buy their iPhones, according to Apple-tracking site MacRumors. Apple previously only allowed for the AppleCare+ upgrade up to 60 days after the iPhone purchase.
Coins2Day confirmed the change with an Apple support representative. Apple’s (AAPL) Service and Support tool also reflects the change.
Get Data Sheet, Coins2Day ’s technology newsletter
Apple offers one year of service and 90 days of telephone technical support with the purchase of an iPhone. Customers who buy AppleCare+ can extend those services to two years. Apple charges $129 for iPhone 6s and newer and $99 for its iPhone SE AppleCare+ plans. AppleCare+ also reduces the cost of common repairs. Screen damage, for example, costs $29 on an AppleCare+ warranty. Those outside the warranty can pay significantly more for a fix, depending on the damage.
The iPhone is a rather expensive device to fix due to design features, making it difficult for non-Apple technicians to break it open and repair. Thus, AppleCare+ can come in handy. But some customers have complained on social media and forums that the 60-day window for buying AppleCare+ is too restrictive. While it’s unclear why Apple made the change, the company already offers an AppleCare extension within one year of purchasing a Mac or Apple TV.
Apple’s iPhone extension is retroactively available. So those who have purchased a recently released iPhone in the last year can take advantage of the offer.
