All About the iPhone Warranty and AppleCare

Every iPhone comes with a warranty from Apple that provides its owner free tech support and low or no-cost repairs. Warranties don't last forever, though, and they don't cover everything. If your iPhone is behaving strangely and the standard fixes — like restarting it or updating the operating system — don't solve the problem, you might need to take advantage of your warranty. Knowing the details of your iPhone warranty before heading to the Apple Store can mean the difference between a free repair or one that costs hundreds of dollars. 

Details of the Standard iPhone Warranty

The standard iPhone warranty that comes with all new phones includes:

• One year of hardware repairs
• 90 days of telephone support.

iPhone Warranty Exclusions

The iPhone warranty does not cover issues related to:

• Batteries
• Cosmetic damage such as scratches and dents
• Water damage and other accidents
• Damage from using another product, such as a case
• Changes made to the phone by the user, such as jailbreaking
• Repairs made by non-Apple-authorized providers
• Normal wear and tear
• Theft

The warranty applies only to new purchases in official Apple packaging. If you bought your iPhone used, the warranty no longer applies.

Details of the Standard iPod Warranty

The standard warranty for iPods is identical to the iPhone warranty.

Is Your iPhone Still Under Warranty?

Apple provides a simple tool to help you find out if your iPhone is still under warranty.

The AppleCare Extended Warranty

Apple offers an extended warranty program called AppleCare. An Apple customer can extend a device's standard warranty by buying an AppleCare protection plan within 60 days of purchasing the device. It adds to the standard warranty for an iPhone or iPod and extends support to two full years for both hardware repairs and phone support.

If you don't buy AppleCare, and your device needs a repair later, you may have another opportunity to purchase the coverage. It won't apply to the current issue, but you'll have it in place if anything else happens.

• AppleCare+ — There are two kinds of AppleCare: standard and AppleCare+. Macs and Apple TV are eligible for traditional AppleCare, while the iPhone, iPod Touch, Apple Watch, and iPad use AppleCare+. AppleCare+ extends the standard warranty to two total years of coverage and repairs for two incidents of damage. Each repair has a fee attached to it ($29 for screen repairs, $99 for any other repairs), but that's still cheaper than most repairs without extra coverage. AppleCare+ for the iPhone costs $99-$129, depending on your iPhone model (it costs more for newer models).
• AppleCare Registration — To make sure your AppleCare protection plan goes into full effect, register it with Apple online, over the phone, or by mail.

Is AppleCare Returnable? 

Though it may seem like a good idea to buy AppleCare, the company realizes you might have second thoughts after the purchase. You can "return" AppleCare for a refund — but you won't get your full purchase price back. Instead, you'll get a prorated refund based on how long you had the plan before returning it.

If you decide you want to return your AppleCare plan, call 1-800-APL-CARE and ask to speak to someone about an AppleCare return. You might have to dial the operator for this, as there's no obvious option for it in the phone menu.

The person you speak to will ask for your information on your receipt, so make sure to have it handy. You'll then be transferred to a specialist who can confirm the return. Expect to see your refund check or account credit anywhere from a few days to a few months later.

Insurance and Extended Warranties

AppleCare isn't the only extended warranty available for the iPhone. A number of third parties offer other coverage options. We don't recommend most third-party iPhone insurance options, though.

How to Get Support From Apple

Now that you know all about your iPhone warranty coverage and options, learn how to make an appointment with your Apple store's Genius Bar. That's where you'll need to head if tech trouble arises.