Dropping and cracking the screen of my new iPhone would give me a terrible fright any day of the year, but perhaps it was perfect timing to have it happen right before my Halloween episode.
On my way to work this week, I pulled my iPhone 17 Pro Max out of my pocket, and it slipped out of my fingers onto the sidewalk -- Splat! Screen faced down, I pick it up to reveal the spiderweb of shattered glass and a ripped corner of the rubbery Apple Silicone case. (You won't catch me singing the praises of the so-called stronger "Ceramic Shield 2" display.)
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I take it out of the case to reveal silvery chips in my orange aluminum frame. With a heavy stomach, I race to open the settings on the phone, careful not to cut my finger on the rough glass. I see it says I'm still in the 60-day window to purchase AppleCare. And so begins my journey to get it fixed.
In this week's episode of One More Thing, which you can watch embedded above, I go through what it's like to use AppleCare to repair a device, why it's so important to backup your files, what questions Apple staff ask of you during the visit and the perks of why you might want to sign up for AppleCare One.
I learned a few surprises in my research, such as how booking a screen repair appointment at an Apple Store doesn't guarantee that the location has the parts to fix it. (Even at Apple's flagship New York location!)
AppleCare service comes in many different flavors and prices, depending on which device you're covering. The monthly subscription helps cover most of the costs of damage and loss -- but there are some service fees or deductibles you still have to pay. You can sign up for AppleCare in the first 60 days of owning a product -- but there are ways to get a device covered even after the initial 60-day window.
For example, if your iPhone is less than two years old and in good condition while passing an Apple Store inspection, it's possible to add Apple Care coverage later. Another method is to use AppleCare One, which covers up to three devices that are up to four years old. I signed up for AppleCare One, costing me about $20 a month, and it gave me the option to also cover my older iPhones and Apple Watches.
But take note -- the devices must be under your account. I couldn't use my AppleCare One plan to cover my husband's iPhone.
I do have the option to cancel AppleCare service anytime (and when I do, I have another 45 days to change my mind and sign up again). Perhaps I could save money and drop AppleCare and just get a tougher case. And a screen protector. And maybe only use it over carpet. (Boy, I sure am missing my titanium iPhone 16 now.)
If you're looking for more One More Thing, subscribe to our YouTube page to catch Bridget Carey breaking down the latest Apple news and issues every Friday.