Since August 4, 2026, device protection for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro can be bundled into a single contract. The press release only mentions the starting price – terms and conditions, service fees, and exclusions are detailed in the German contract documents, which were made available online at launch. These documents contain services not mentioned in any press release and clauses that are crucial for buyers of used devices.
AppleCare One costs €20.99 per month, covers up to three devices, and adds each additional device for €5.99. These three figures have been circulating since the announcement of the German launch at the end of July, and they are the least interesting part of the offer. What matters is what additional costs are incurred in the event of damage, which devices are even eligible for coverage, and who the contractual partner is in case of a claim.
With the launch, the German contract and support documents are now available. They answer these questions – and show how the group contract relates to what already applies in Germany: a one-year manufacturer's warranty and two years of statutory warranty against defects.
Anyone primarily concerned with whether switching is worthwhile should skip directly to the last two sections. There you'll find the breakdown of who benefits from the group contract and who doesn't.
AppleCare One: The most important points in brief
- AppleCare One costs €20.99 per month – even if only a single device is included in the contract.
- Three cases of theft and loss are covered within twelve months; a single AppleCare+ contract covers two.
- In addition to the three devices, up to ten accessories can be insured without taking up a device slot.
- Also covered are damages caused by power surges, such as after a lightning strike – a separate insurance claim in addition to falls and liquid damage.
- The service fee per repair remains in place and ranges from 15 euros for the Apple TV to 299 euros for the Apple Vision Pro.
Three levels of protection that are regularly confused
Most Apple products come with a one-year manufacturer's warranty. Regardless of this, buyers in Germany are entitled to statutory warranty rights under the German Civil Code (BGB): two years from delivery, during which the seller must repair, replace, reduce the price, or refund the money in the event of a defect.
The insurance terms and conditions make this clear in the very first paragraph: Failures due to design, material, or manufacturing defects are expressly not covered by AppleCare One. These fall under consumer rights or the Apple warranty – even if the device was not purchased from Apple.
The difference lies in the type of damage. A manufacturing defect is the seller's responsibility. A dropped iPhone, a glass of water spilled on the keyboard, or a stolen iPad don't fall under either of these categories – that's what AppleCare is for.
Three tariffs side by side
Apple now offers three versions. Since August 4th, theft and loss protection in Germany is no longer limited to the iPhone, but also includes the iPad and Apple Watch.
| AppleCare+ | AppleCare+ with theft and loss | AppleCare One | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covered devices | one | one | up to three, additional ones for €5.99 per month |
| Repairs in case of accidental damage | unlimited | unlimited | unlimited |
| Battery replacement below 80 percent | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Theft and loss | no | two cases per 12 months | three cases per 12 months, for all devices combined |
| Available for | all AppleCare-eligible products | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | all AppleCare-eligible products |
| Subsequent conclusion | up to 60 days after purchase | up to 60 days after purchase | Devices up to four years old |
| Price | depending on the model | depending on the model | €20.99 per month |
The line regarding theft protection reads in favor of AppleCare One, but is the most misleading in the table: The three cases do not apply per device, but to all insured iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches together.
What's included in the monthly price
AppleCare One combines the benefits of AppleCare+: unlimited accidental damage repairs, priority technical support, and battery replacement when its capacity falls below 80 percent of its original specifications. Instructions on how to check this value on your device can be found in the iPhone Battery Health Guide.
A fourth benefit, not mentioned in any press release, is overvoltage protection . This covers repair or replacement after a sudden power surge, which the policy explicitly defines as lightning strikes, the return of power after an outage, and damage to power lines caused by animals. For permanently wired devices like Macs, Apple Displays, Apple TVs, and HomePods, this is the most practically relevant addition.
Only damage that impairs functionality is considered accidental – this explicitly includes cracks in the display that obstruct the view. Repairs are carried out using genuine Apple parts at an Apple Store or an authorized service provider; replacement devices may be new or made from tested, pre-owned genuine Apple parts.
Accessories do not count against the device limit
The three-device limit applies only to devices. Up to ten accessories can be included in the policy without taking up any space: Apple Pencil, Apple Pencil Pro, Apple iPad keyboards, and Apple VESA mount and VESA stand.
A compatible device must already be included in the contract. If the accessory is purchased at the same time as the matching device, registration is automatic; in all other cases, it must be initiated by phone with Apple Support. If the associated device is removed from the policy, the accessory is also removed and must be registered again later.
Included accessories from the original packaging are already part of the insured device – in the case of the Apple Vision Pro, specifically the audio band, battery, battery cable, screen curtain, and light seal. An Apple Watch band is only covered if it was delivered in the same packaging.
Service fees vary depending on device class
The monthly fee is not the final price. A deductible applies to each repair and replacement, which is listed consistently in the contract's price list and Apple's public fee schedule.
| Device | Display or housing | Other damage | Theft or loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone | 29 € display, 29 € back glass | 99 € | 129 € |
| iPad Air 11″ and 13″ (M2 and later), iPad Pro 11″ and 13″ (M4 and later), iPad (A16), iPad mini (A17 Pro) | 29 € | 99 € | 129 € |
| All other iPad models | – | 49 € | 129 € |
| Apple Watch | – | 65 € | 119 € |
| Apple Watch Ultra, Hermès and Edition | – | 75 € | 119 € |
| MacBook Neo 13″ (A18 Pro) | 59 € | 179 € | – |
| All other Mac models and Apple Display | 99 € | 259 € | – |
| Apple Vision Pro | – | 299 € | – |
| AirPods and Beats | – | 29 € | – |
| Apple TV and HomePod mini | – | 15 € | – |
| HomePod | – | 29 € | – |
The Apple Pencil, Apple Pencil Pro, iPad keyboard, and the included accessories for the Apple Vision Pro each cost €29. Battery replacement remains free of charge for all models.
Two details are worth a second look. Damage to the iPhone's display and back glass triggers both fees, meaning €58 instead of €29. And according to the terms and conditions, a damaged Apple Pencil is a separate claim with its own deductible – even if it broke along with the iPad.
The lower-priced display repair rates also assume that nothing else is damaged. A bent or dented casing automatically moves the repair into the more expensive category. Back glass repairs are only available for iPhone 12 and newer models, not for the iPhone SE.
The expensive shortcut in express exchange
The express exchange service sends a replacement device before the defective one is even sent in. Convenient – but it costs more than most people expect.
Those who choose this option for a simple screen damage on their iPhone will not pay the €29 for a screen repair, but rather the €99 for other accidental damage. The reason is simple: the entire device is replaced, not repaired. The same applies to the iPad and the iPhone's back glass.
Apple Vision Pro offers express replacements for declining battery capacity without a service fee. The contract doesn't provide a reason, but it aligns with the design: the battery is a separate, externally mounted component, and the terms explicitly state that Apple can only request the return of the affected part, not the entire device.
Damage to the battery or battery cable in an accident costs €29, while any other component costs €299. Anyone wanting to make an economical decision should therefore calculate whether the saved waiting time is worth the difference before choosing the service type.
Theft and loss: three cases instead of two
Protection against theft and loss applies exclusively to registered iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches. Macs, Apple Vision Pro, headphones, Apple TV, and HomePod remain limited to repairs; iPad input devices are explicitly excluded, even if they disappear along with the iPad.
Herein lies the only real performance advantage of the group contract: three valid claims in twelve months instead of two with AppleCare+. The period begins with the start of the insurance policy, not with the calendar year, and unused claims expire at the end of the year.
Important for households with multiple devices: The three claims apply together to all insured iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches. If a bag containing an iPhone and iPad is stolen, this counts as two of the three cases, each with its own deductible. Additional devices via an extra slot – Apple's "Add-On Slot" – do not increase the coverage limit.
The prerequisite is that "Find My" is continuously activated – at the time of the loss and throughout the entire case processing. The terms and conditions explicitly state that sharing your location with friends and family is not sufficient. Those unfamiliar with the feature can find the basics of "Find My" in a separate guide; additionally, the stolen device protection prevents a thief from immediately taking over the Apple account with an unlocked iPhone.
There's a catch in the repair mode: If a device is sent for service, "Find My" is deactivated. Upon its return, it must be actively reactivated; otherwise, theft protection is no longer available.
The incident must be reported to Apple, either online or by phone. Upon request, a police report number or a copy of the report, proof of purchase, and an official photo ID must be provided. Replacement is provided exclusively in kind – the agreement does not include a cash payment. If the device is later recovered, it must be returned to Apple.
Which devices are eligible for the AppleCare One plan?
Here, the marketing and the contract text differ significantly. Apple advertises that previously used devices can be included for up to four years after purchase. However, the terms and conditions calculate the period from the manufacturing date – only if Apple has a purchase or activation date does that date apply instead. For a device that has been in storage for months, this can make a noticeable difference. For AirPods and Beats products, the limit is one year.
The definition of an insured device is even stricter: it requires that the device be newly purchased or leased from Apple. For privately purchased used hardware, the contract text therefore states something different than the product advertising. Anyone wishing to include a second-hand device should clarify this with support before signing the contract, instead of relying on the four-year rule.
Devices with pre-existing damage, devices in "Lost" mode, devices reported stolen, and any devices with third-party components or repairs outside the authorized network are not eligible for coverage. Any ongoing service case must be completed. Hardware purchased outside of Germany may be excluded from coverage.
There is no waiting period – coverage begins on the date and time of registration. However, any damage occurring before this time is excluded, and Apple may require diagnostic tests, remote diagnoses, or a physical inspection before registration.
However, this only affects hardware without existing protection. In our case, an Apple Vision Pro that was already covered by AppleCare+ was immediately listed among the devices eligible for enrollment – a health check was not required. Therefore, anyone switching from AppleCare+ skips this step for each already covered device.
The photo verification process has a catch that isn't mentioned in any press release: Anyone who wants to photograph their iPhone or iPad needs a second iPhone or iPad with a 12-megapixel camera. A Mac is checked via a paired iPhone or iPad and should have at least 20 percent battery charge. Without a second device, the only option is to go to the store.
If a device fails the test, it is not permanently eliminated: After an Apple-certified repair, it can be registered again.
This is how the process works on the device
To sign up on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, go to Settings → General → AppleCare & Warranty. Select the device you want to start the contract with, and the process will guide you through verification and confirmation. Alternatively, you can sign up at apple.com/de or in an Apple Store.
The Apple account must have a German storefront and a German billing address, a valid payment method on file, and no outstanding balance. Only those aged 18 or older with their primary residence in Germany are eligible to purchase. Managed, restricted, web-based, and mobile-number-based Apple accounts are excluded; only one policy is permitted per account.
Minimum versions are required to add more devices: iOS and iPadOS 18.5, macOS 15.5 and visionOS 2.5. Older system versions simply do not appear in the device list.
Those already using AppleCare+ can switch from the same settings. The process for starting a new contract involves automatically canceling the old contract and receiving a pro-rata refund. If AppleCare+ was paid for as a one-time payment, this refund may be issued as an Apple Gift Card instead of a cash deposit. For devices purchased through the iPhone Upgrade Program, the old contract must be canceled by phone beforehand.
If you buy a new device and there's no free space available, a temporary insurance policy with full coverage applies for 14 days. During this time, either an additional workspace must be created or another device must be removed.
AppleCare One: Replace, remove, and re-add devices
If three devices are covered and a fourth is to be added, there are two options: exchange the existing device or book an additional slot for €5.99 per month. In the first month, this will be charged proportionally from the purchase date; from the next billing date, the full price will apply. The renewal date of the entire policy applies uniformly to all devices, regardless of when they were added.
A removed device immediately loses coverage, and the associated additional slot ends. In return, you will receive a pro-rata refund for the remaining contract period. This can be done via the device management section of your contract, either on the device itself or online.
When you sign out of your Apple account, two different time limits apply. Theft and loss protection ends immediately because "Find My" is also deactivated. Hardware protection and technical support remain active for 24 hours, or until the end of the billing period at the latest – if you sign back in during this time, nothing happens.
Anyone who sells or gives away a device must actively remove it from the policy; otherwise, the charges will continue. The same applies after a theft: as long as the missing device is listed in the contract, it will continue to be billed. The protection cannot be transferred – the policy is linked to the Apple account and does not move with the device to the buyer.
When trading in a device via Apple Trade In, Apple assumes that the device should be removed from the policy and automatically removes it upon acceptance of the trade-in.
Resigning and what comes back
The contract runs on a monthly basis and can be terminated at any time with immediate effect – via the settings, online, by phone or in writing to Apple in Cork.
Things get interesting when it comes to money. There's a 14-day right of withdrawal, and this applies not only after the initial sign-up but also after every monthly renewal: Anyone who cancels within this period receives a full refund of the monthly premium paid. After that, there's a pro-rata refund for the remaining term.
The right of withdrawal expires no later than twelve months and 14 days after the contract is concluded. If all devices are removed, the contract ends on the last day of the paid month – without a refund. Until then, it can be continued by adding a device.
If the direct debit fails
A missed payment does not immediately terminate the coverage. After a payment reminder, a grace period of one month begins; if payment is received within this period, the coverage is considered to be continuously in effect. If this period expires, the policy terminates automatically.
The situation is different with a chargeback: Apple interprets this as an intention to cancel the account. If it occurs during the current billing month, there is no refund – even if the bank later reverses it.
The price is also not fixed. AIG may change the premium and deductible with one month's notice in writing, for example, in the event of a change in insurance tax or increased claims costs. Those who do not agree can cancel the policy.
AppleCare One: Where the limits of the group contract lie
The most significant limitation is its reliance on a single Apple account. The terms explicitly state that Family Sharing is not applicable to this policy – devices belonging to a partner or children are excluded, even within the same Family Sharing group. AppleCare One is not a family plan.
Only one Apple Vision Pro monitor may be registered per policy, regardless of the number of additional seats booked. Also excluded are intentional damage, normal wear and tear, fire damage, natural disasters, and cosmetic damage without functional impairment – with the exception of the cover glass on the Vision Pro.
Also excluded: data and software loss. Apple erases and reformats storage media during repairs; neither Apple nor the insurer assumes liability for lost programs, data, and passwords. Therefore, a backup before every service call is not just a recommendation, but a requirement.
In case of theft, the protection only covers the device itself. Financial losses resulting from its unauthorized use – purchases via stored cards or Apple Pay, access to online banking, incurred telephone costs – are expressly not insured.
Germany: Who is the contractual partner in case of damage?
In Germany, AppleCare One is not a service commitment from Apple, but an insurance policy. The risk carrier is AIG Europe SA, operating through its Frankfurt branch for German business and supervised by BaFin (the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority). Apple sells the policy and handles claims on behalf of the insurer. German law applies, and the contract documents are available entirely in German.
In practical terms, this means that anyone who disagrees with a denied refund doesn't have to rely solely on Apple Support. The Insurance Ombudsman Association in Berlin is then responsible – a process that wouldn't be available with a standard service contract.
Austria and Switzerland will remain excluded for the time being
AppleCare One is available at launch in Germany, France, Great Britain, and Australia. Austria and Switzerland are not included; AppleCare+ remains available there as a standalone contract. Apple has not yet announced whether other markets will follow.
The situation defies the usual dividing lines: France is included, Austria, as an EU member, is not, and Switzerland, as a non-EU country, is also not. The selection therefore has nothing to do with European regulation – it is based on where the insurer has already obtained approval for the product.
For someone moving, this is more than just a minor detail. The terms and conditions require a primary residence in Germany and a German storefront including billing address; anyone changing both to another country may have to cancel the policy beforehand. An existing contract therefore does not automatically transfer to Vienna or Zurich.
The service itself, however, is valid worldwide, limited to locally available options. Apple may only deliver replacement devices after theft or loss to the country where the policy was purchased.
For whom the group contract is worthwhile
Apple claims savings of up to €13.48 per month when iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch are insured together with theft and loss protection instead of individually. This is the most economical option imaginable and only applies to high-end devices in all three categories.
The calculation falls apart at one crucial point: From the fourth device onward, each additional device costs €5.99 – regardless of whether it's €199 AirPods or a MacBook Pro. Those who own expensive hardware in series pay significantly less than with individual contracts. However, those who add AirPods and a HomePod mini later on pay almost as much for devices with service fees of €15 to €29 as they would for a MacBook.
The second advantage is the inclusion of existing devices. Previously, coverage ended after 60 days; now, hardware up to four years after its manufacture is protected. For households with a three-year-old iPad and a two-year-old Apple Watch, this is the real reason to even consider the cost.
Before you decide, it's worth looking at the actual repair costs without insurance. For an iPhone Air, these costs are in a different ballpark than for a MacBook Neo, for which Apple has deliberately set prices low. This difference determines at what probability of damage a subscription becomes worthwhile.
Where AppleCare One is the wrong choice
For a single device, the group contract is, in our view, the worse deal – and the price list makes this unmistakable: The premium is €20.99 per month even if fewer than three devices are insured. Insuring an iPhone alone at this price makes no sense compared to an individual AppleCare+ contract.
The plan is equally unconvincing for older, cheaper hardware. A four-year-old iPad with a residual value in the low three-figure range doesn't justify a continuous monthly fee, especially since a service fee is added on top in case of damage. And because the contract continues monthly instead of expiring after two or three years, it silently accumulates over the device's lifetime.
Skepticism is also warranted if the combined billing is the sole reason for switching. Three theft claims sound like more than two, but they apply to all devices combined – in a household with three insured devices, this means less protection per device than with individual contracts covering two claims each.
Anyone already considering whether device protection is worthwhile will find a fundamental comparison between iPhone insurance, home contents insurance, and third-party offers in our review. AppleCare One doesn't change this – it simply lowers the point at which it becomes cost-effective, especially when multiple expensive devices are linked to the same Apple account. (Image: Apple)
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Frequently Asked Questions: AppleCare One in Germany
No. The terms and conditions explicitly state that Family Sharing is not applicable to this policy. Only devices associated with the Apple account used to start the policy are covered – devices belonging to other family members are excluded.
The warranty period is four years from the manufacturing date, not the purchase date. Only if Apple has a purchase or activation date on file will that date apply. For AirPods and Beats products, the limit is one year, and the device must pass a condition assessment.
The contract will be automatically canceled upon switching providers. A pro-rata refund will be issued for the unused portion of the contract; if an initial one-time payment was made, this may be provided as an Apple Gift Card. For devices purchased through the iPhone Upgrade Program, the existing contract must be canceled by phone beforehand.
The service fee still applies – €29 for iPhone displays, €99 for other iPhone damage, €259 for most Macs, and €299 for the Apple Vision Pro. Battery replacement is free. Those who choose express replacement for iPhone display damage pay €99 instead of €29.
No. The policy is tied to your Apple account and cannot be transferred to another one. If you sell or give away a device, you must actively remove it from the contract – otherwise, the charges will continue.
You can cancel at any time with immediate effect. Within 14 days of signing up or after each monthly renewal, you will receive a full monthly refund; after that, a pro-rata refund for the remaining term will be given.
Not yet. At launch, the group plan is limited to Germany, France, Great Britain, and Australia; in Austria and Switzerland, AppleCare+ remains per device. Because the plan requires a primary residence in Germany, it doesn't transfer if you move.
