For a year, Apple's comprehensive device repair plan was exclusive to the US. That changes on August 4, 2026: AppleCare One is coming to Germany for €20.99 per month and covers up to three products simultaneously. At the same time, Apple is extending the theft and loss protection to iPad and Apple Watch – with limitations outlined in the fine print.
AppleCare One launched in the US in July 2025 and remained exclusive to the US for a year. Initial indications of a European expansion emerged in the spring when the trademark was registered with the EU Intellectual Property Office – a signal that at the time suggested an imminent European launch. Four months later, the confirmation came: Apple is bringing the plan to Germany, France, the UK, and Australia. Bob Borchers, Apple's global product marketing director, describes the offering as a plan at one price for all eligible products.
How much the plan costs and how many devices fit in it
AppleCare One costs €20.99 per month in Germany and covers up to three Apple products. Each additional device costs €5.99 per month, and devices can be added or removed at any time. There is no fixed contract term – the plan runs monthly until canceled.
Apple illustrates the advantage with an example: Those who insure their iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch together pay up to €13.48 less per month than with three separate AppleCare+ plans covering theft and loss.
Prices vary significantly depending on the market; Apple clearly does not perform any conversion:
| Market | Three devices per month | Each additional device |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | 20,99 € | 5,99 € |
| UK | 16,99 £ | 4,99 £ |
| USA | 19,99 $ | 5,99 $ |
Four countries at once – Austria and Switzerland are left out
The launch includes Germany, France, Great Britain, and Australia. Austria and Switzerland are not included, and Apple has not yet announced a date for further expansion. For customers in Vienna or Zurich, this means that for the time being, AppleCare+ plans will remain available on a per-device basis.
The selection of countries is noteworthy: it follows no EU logic. France and Germany are member states, the UK and Australia are not, while Austria (an EU country) and Switzerland (a non-EU country) are both absent. Market size and the respective insurance structure are likely the deciding factors – theft and loss coverage for the German market is handled by AIG Europe SA, whose German branch is located in Frankfurt and is supervised by BaFin (the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority).
Theft and loss now also available for iPad and Apple Watch
Alongside the launch of AppleCare One, Apple is extending its theft and loss protection in Germany to include iPad and Apple Watch. Previously, this option was only available for iPhones. As a single-device plan, it is now available for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch and covers up to two incidents per year – in addition to battery replacement, priority support, and unlimited repairs for accidental damage. Apple's product pages are currently being updated.
The limit for claims under the single-device plan is two within twelve months. For AppleCare One, Apple stated a limit of three claims per year across all covered devices at its international launch; the German terms and conditions are expected to be released on August 4th. One loophole remains: the Apple Vision Pro is not covered for theft and loss, even though the headset can be included in a plan.
A prerequisite for any reimbursement is that "Find My" was activated on the device and remains activated throughout the entire claims process. How the feature is set up and used for lost Apple devices, AirTags, and other items directly determines whether the insurance claim is valid. Apple recently tightened its recommendations for handling a stolen iPhone. A case is first reported to Apple and then via the insurer's portal. The replacement device is shipped – pickup at an Apple Store is not possible in cases of theft or loss, nor is a same-day exchange.
Which devices Apple allows in the plan
The most interesting change compared to AppleCare+ concerns older hardware. Previously, there was a 60-day window after purchase to purchase a protection plan. With AppleCare One, devices can be up to four years old, provided they are in good condition. Headphones are the exception: they can be no more than one year old.
Apple may check the device's condition via diagnostics using your own iPhone or iPad, or in person at an Apple Store. Users who already have an active AppleCare+ plan or recently purchased a new device can switch directly from their device.
One limitation will be crucial for many households in practice: Only devices linked to the owner's Apple account can be included in the plan. This excludes a partner's iPhone or a child's iPad if it's linked to a different account. AppleCare One is not a family plan.
If you trade in a covered product at Apple and buy a new one directly, the protection automatically transfers to the successor device.
More is covered than the device list suggests: A compatible Apple Pencil and Apple Keyboard are included with a covered iPad, and the original Apple Watch band is covered – Hermès bands are excluded. Cables and power adapters from the original packaging are also covered. Third-party accessories are not covered.
Why the calculation looks different in Germany
In Germany, in addition to any warranty plan, there is the statutory warranty for defects. For two years, the seller is liable for defects that were already present at the time of delivery – including repair, replacement, price reduction, or refund. This is supplemented by Apple's own manufacturer's warranty, which covers most products for one year of hardware protection. Apple itself points out that AppleCare is separate from and in addition to these warranty claims. AppleCare One actually covers damage from drops and liquids, battery replacement below 80 percent capacity, theft, loss, and priority support – not manufacturing defects in the first year.
The service fees don't disappear either. Apple lists €29 for an iPhone screen repair, €99 for other accidental damage, and €129 in case of theft or loss for AppleCare+ in Germany; for Macs, the rates range from €59 to €259. AppleCare One bundles the services but doesn't reduce the out-of-pocket costs in the event of a claim.
This makes the plan particularly worthwhile for households with three or more active Apple devices on one account – and for those who want to retroactively insure a two- or three-year-old device, which simply wasn't possible before. For a single iPhone, the classic AppleCare+ plan remains the more economical option.
Apple's protection business is moving to a subscription model
The timing is striking: Just a few days before the launch of AppleCare One, Apple Upgrade is also set to begin as a new leasing program. Both offers shift hardware and its protection from a one-time payment to a monthly subscription that continues until canceled.
This is doubly beneficial for Apple: AppleCare subscriptions go into the services division, which is now the company's second-largest business segment. The figures for the third fiscal quarter, which Apple will present on July 30 – four days before the new plan is activated in Germany – demonstrate just how strong this area has been recently. (Image: Apple)
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