Apple is making some changes to how you can buy AppleCare+. According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, starting next week, you won’t be able to buy a two or three-year AppleCare+ plan at Apple’s physical stores or directly on your device.
This means if you’re buying a new device in an Apple store, you’ll only have the choice between a monthly or yearly subscription for AppleCare+, not a one-time payment for several years of coverage.
Gurman also hints that in the future, even buying these longer plans on your device might not be an option anymore. This would affect everyone who doesn’t get their AppleCare plan right when they buy their device.
However, there’s a silver lining. If you’re okay with buying online, you can still get those two to three-year plans at the time you purchase your device.
It looks like Apple is moving towards making all AppleCare+ plans subscription-based. But for now, if you want to pay upfront for longer coverage, you’ll need to do it online at the time of device purchase.
For example, with a 14-inch MacBook Pro, you can still opt for a three-year AppleCare+ plan for $279 upfront, which is a bit cheaper than paying $99.99 each year for three years. So, if you prefer the upfront payment for peace of mind, keep an eye out for these changes and consider buying online when you get your next Apple product.