Apple Announces New Protection Service

Apple unveiled a new multi-device protection plan. AppleCare One will bundle coverage under a single monthly subscription. The new plan enables users to cover up to three Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, and Apple TV units, for $19.99 per month.

Additional devices can be added for $5.99 each per month, and customers will be able to mix models and product categories without affecting the base monthly fee. The new plan, already available in the US, includes unlimited accidental damage repairs, battery replacements, round-the-clock customer support, and now extends theft and loss protection beyond the iPhone to cover iPads and Apple Watches. Apple stated the service offers a cost-saving alternative to individual AppleCare+ plans, with the potential to save users up to $11 per month when covering multiple products.

Users can enrol in AppleCare One through their devices or at retail locations. The service can also be applied to existing products up to four years old, subject to diagnostic testing and photo checks to confirm the device’s condition, expanding beyond the current 60-day purchase window tied to AppleCare+. The plan will also automatically update to cover new devices when users trade in old ones. The company will continue to offer its standalone AppleCare+ plans.

The move is part of the company's broader strategy to grow its services division, which includes AppleCare, iCloud, the App Store, and media offerings such as Apple TV+ and Apple Music. Their services business is on track to exceed $100 billion in revenue this year to become the company’s second-largest business segment behind the iPhone. Indeed, Apple reported an all-time high for the division earlier this year with $26.3 billion in revenue for the quarter ending 28 December 2024, marking a 14% increase.