Apple has begun charging more for AppleCare+ plans covering Mac computers and iPad tablets. The change amounts to an increase of $0.50 per month or $5 per year over previous rates, and it applies only to new subscriptions signed up from now on.
Customers who already hold an active AppleCare+ plan for either device will not see any change to their current billing; the updated pricing structure only affects those enrolling in extended coverage going forward, whether through a new device purchase or by adding the service afterward.
As a point of reference, a plan for a 13-inch MacBook would now cost a few dollars more per year under this update, following the same pattern of increases applied across the rest of the Mac and iPad lineup covered by the program.
AppleCare+ is the company's extended warranty service, offering priority technical support, part replacements and accidental damage protection in exchange for a monthly or annual fee. The adjustment arrived without a formal public announcement from Apple, and came to light through reporting focused on pricing changes detected within the subscription system.
It has not been confirmed whether this increase will soon extend to other AppleCare+-eligible devices, such as the iPhone or Apple Watch, or whether it reflects a broader adjustment to operating costs. For now, the change is limited to the Mac and iPad lines, and shoppers looking to add coverage will need to factor in the new cost when signing up.