Remember the days when protecting your Apple devices meant juggling multiple warranty plans, keeping track of different coverage dates, and trying to figure out which plan covered what? Well, Apple just threw all that complexity out the window with their brand-new AppleCare One service, and honestly, it’s about time.

Yesterday, Apple announced what might be their smartest move in device protection yet. Instead of forcing customers to buy separate AppleCare+ plans for each device, they’re rolling everything into one simple monthly subscription. For just $19.99 per month, you can protect up to three Apple devices under a single plan. Need more coverage? Each additional device costs just $5.99 monthly.

What Exactly Is AppleCare One?

Think of AppleCare One as Netflix for device protection. You pay one monthly fee, and boom – all your Apple gadgets are covered. Whether you’re clutching your iPhone, scrolling on your iPad, or checking your Apple Watch, they’re all protected under the same umbrella.

Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, put it perfectly: “Built on the trusted foundation of AppleCare+, AppleCare One extends that same reliability and makes it easier than ever to protect the products you love.”

The service launches today (July 24, 2025) in the United States, and you can sign up directly through your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or by visiting an Apple Store. The company promises this is just the beginning, with more countries likely to follow.

The Money Talk: How Much You’ll Actually Save

Let’s be real – most of us have multiple Apple devices. I’ve got an iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, and I bet you do too. Previously, protecting all three meant separate AppleCare+ plans that could easily run $30+ monthly combined. With AppleCare One, that same protection costs just $19.99.

Apple claims customers can “save up to $11 a month over enrolling in separate AppleCare+ plans for each device.” That’s real money – we’re talking about $132 in annual savings. Over two years, you’re looking at over $250 back in your pocket.

But here’s the kicker: “AppleCare One pricing is the same regardless of the products that are covered.” This means whether you’re protecting a basic iPad and iPhone combo or covering a maxed-out iPhone Pro, iPad Pro, and Apple Watch Ultra, you pay the same base price. That’s pretty incredible value for power users.

What’s Actually Covered?

AppleCare One isn’t just repackaged basic coverage. You’re getting the full AppleCare+ experience across all your devices. This includes:

Accident Protection: Dropped your iPhone down the stairs? Spilled coffee on your iPad? No problem. You get unlimited repairs for accidental damage, though you’ll still pay service fees for each incident.

24/7 Expert Support: When something goes wrong at 2 AM (because tech problems never happen during business hours), Apple’s support team is there to help.

Battery Coverage: If your device battery drops below 80% capacity, Apple will replace it at no additional cost.

Certified Service: All repairs use genuine Apple parts and are performed by Apple-certified technicians.

Theft and Loss Protection: Here’s where things get interesting. Previously, only iPhones could get theft and loss coverage. AppleCare One “expands theft and loss protection beyond iPhone to also cover iPad and Apple Watch.” So if someone swipes your iPad from a coffee shop or you lose your Apple Watch at the gym, you’re covered.

The Four-Year Game Changer

Perhaps the biggest surprise in Apple’s announcement is the extended grace period for adding devices. Previously, you had just 60 days after purchase to add AppleCare+ coverage. Miss that window, and you were out of luck.

With AppleCare One, “customers can now add products they already own that are up to four years old if they are in good condition.” Four years! That’s a massive shift that opens the door for millions of Apple users who thought they’d missed their chance.

There’s a catch, of course. Your devices need to pass a diagnostic check to prove they’re in good condition. This can be done through your iPhone or iPad, or at an Apple Store. But still, this flexibility is a game-changer for anyone with older devices they want to protect.

Smart Features That Actually Make Sense

Apple clearly thought about real-world usage when designing AppleCare One. The plan includes several features that show they understand how people actually use their devices:

Automatic Device Swapping: When you trade in a covered device directly to Apple, it automatically gets removed from your plan and replaced with your new device. No need to call customer service or fill out forms.

Flexible Management: You can add or remove devices from your plan at any time. Sold your iPad? Remove it. Bought a new Apple Watch? Add it instantly.

Unified Support: Instead of trying to remember which device has which coverage, everything flows through one support channel. One plan, one point of contact, one less headache.

The Timing Couldn’t Be Better

Apple’s launch of AppleCare One comes at a perfect time. We’re living in an era where the average person owns multiple Apple devices, and the cost of repairing modern gadgets has skyrocketed. A cracked iPhone screen can cost $200+ to fix. An iPad repair might run $300-400. An Apple Watch replacement? Don’t even ask.

With devices becoming more integral to our daily lives – especially post-pandemic – the stakes are higher when something breaks. You can’t just “make do” without your phone for a week anymore. You need it fixed, and you need it fixed fast.

Who Should (And Shouldn’t) Consider AppleCare One

AppleCare One makes the most sense if you own multiple Apple devices and want comprehensive protection. If you’re the type who upgrades regularly, carries your devices everywhere, or has a history of accidents, this plan is practically a no-brainer.

It’s especially valuable for families. If you’re managing devices for multiple family members, having everything under one plan simplifies billing and support. Parents will love not having to track separate coverage for their kids’ iPads and their own devices.

However, if you’re super careful with your devices, rarely have accidents, and are comfortable with standard manufacturer warranties, AppleCare One might be overkill. Similarly, if you only own one Apple device, you’re probably better off with traditional AppleCare+.

The Bigger Picture: Apple’s Services Strategy

AppleCare One fits perfectly into Apple’s broader push toward services revenue. They’ve bundled everything from music and storage to fitness classes, and now device protection joins the subscription party.

This move also strengthens customer loyalty. Once you’re paying monthly for device protection, you’re more likely to stay within Apple’s ecosystem when upgrade time comes. It’s smart business disguised as customer convenience.

What This Means for the Competition

Other manufacturers should be watching this closely. Samsung, Google, and others offer their own device protection plans, but none have achieved the simplicity and value proposition that Apple just delivered.

The four-year enrollment window is particularly aggressive. It essentially allows Apple to capture customers who might have otherwise gone with third-party protection services like SquareTrade or Asurion.

Is AppleCare One Worth It?

For most multi-device Apple users, yes. The math works, the convenience is real, and the peace of mind is valuable. At $19.99 monthly for three devices, you’re getting premium protection at a price that actually makes sense.

The extended enrollment period alone makes this worth considering for anyone with older Apple devices they’ve been worried about protecting. And the theft and loss coverage for iPad and Apple Watch is a genuinely useful addition that addresses real-world concerns.

Apple has essentially taken their biggest customer pain point around device protection – complexity and cost – and solved it elegantly. AppleCare One won’t be perfect for everyone, but for the millions of users juggling multiple Apple devices, it’s the simplification they’ve been waiting for.

The service launches today, so if you’ve been on the fence about protecting your Apple devices, now might be the perfect time to take the plunge. Just remember to check if your older devices are eligible – you might be surprised at what can still be covered.

AppleCare One is currently available only in the United States, with plans to expand to additional countries in the future. Pricing and availability may vary by region.