May 24, 2026

Apple Guarantee Check: How to Verify Your Device Coverage in 2026

If you've ever wondered whether your iPhone, Mac, iPad, or Apple Watch is still protected, you need an Apple guarantee check.

If you've ever wondered whether your iPhone, Mac, iPad, or Apple Watch is still protected, you need an Apple guarantee check. It takes under two minutes, it's completely free, and it could save you hundreds of dollars in unexpected repair costs.

This guide covers everything — what Apple's guarantee actually covers, how long it lasts, how to check it by serial number, and what your options are once it expires.

What Is an Apple Guarantee Check?

An Apple guarantee check is the process of verifying whether your Apple device is still covered under Apple's 1-year limited warranty — often called the "Apple guarantee" — or an extended AppleCare+ plan.

Apple uses the term "warranty" officially, but in many countries (particularly in Europe and the UK), consumer law refers to this protection as a guarantee, which is why searches for "apple guarantee check" are growing fast. Whether you call it a warranty or a guarantee, the lookup process is identical.

Running an Apple guarantee check tells you:

Whether your device is Active (covered) or Expired (not covered)
Your exact warranty expiry date
Whether you have an active AppleCare+ plan
Whether you're eligible to purchase AppleCare+
Your device's repair and service eligibility

Why You Should Always Run an Apple Guarantee Check

Most people only think about their warranty when something breaks. By then it's too late to extend coverage cheaply. Here's when an Apple guarantee check is genuinely important:

Before buying a used iPhone or Mac. Always ask the seller for the serial number and run a check at checkcoverage.apple.com before handing over money. A device showing as expired — or worse, flagged as a loaner — is a red flag.

Before your 60-day AppleCare+ window closes. You have just 60 days from purchase to add AppleCare+. Miss this and you lose the option entirely (in most regions).

Before selling your device. Active AppleCare+ transfers to new owners and increases resale value significantly.

After a repair. Apple's check coverage tool updates after repairs, so it's worth confirming your remaining warranty after any service.

How Long Does Apple's Guarantee Last?

EU and UK note: European Union consumer law (Directive 2019/771) requires a 2-year legal guarantee on all consumer products — this applies on top of Apple's standard warranty. Year 1 is handled by Apple directly; Year 2 is the seller's obligation. In the UK, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 may extend protection to up to 6 years for certain faults.

Apple also introduced AppleCare One in July 2025 — a single plan that covers multiple Apple devices, making it easier to manage coverage across an entire household.

What Does Apple's Guarantee Actually Cover?

Apple's 1-year limited warranty covers manufacturing defects and hardware failures under normal use. This includes:

Displays that stop responding without physical damage
Batteries that fail or drop below 80% capacity within the warranty period
Speakers, microphones, or cameras that malfunction without cause
Logic board or internal hardware failures

What the Apple Guarantee Does NOT Cover

Accidental damage — drops, cracked screens, broken ports
Liquid damage beyond the device's rated water resistance
Theft or loss
Cosmetic damage — scratches, dents, worn finish
Unauthorised modifications — these void the warranty entirely
Normal wear and tear

How AppleCare+ Extends Your Guarantee

AppleCare+ is Apple's paid extended plan. Beyond extending the duration, it adds:

Up to 2 incidents of accidental damage per 12 months (subject to a service fee — currently around $29 for screen damage, $99 for other damage in the US)
24/7 priority access to Apple Support for the full plan duration (the standard guarantee only includes 90 days of technical support)
Battery service if battery capacity drops below 80% at any point during the plan
Theft and Loss coverage (in select countries, with Find My enabled)

How to Do an Apple Guarantee Check — Step by Step

Step 1: Find Your Apple Serial Number

Your serial number is the key to running a guarantee check. Here's where to find it for each device:

iPhone / iPad: Go to Settings → General → About. The serial number is listed there.
Mac: Click the Apple menu (top-left) → About This Mac. On macOS Ventura or later: System Settings → General → About.
Apple Watch: Settings → General → About on the watch, or in the Apple Watch app on your paired iPhone: My Watch → General → About.
AirPods: Settings → Bluetooth, then tap the ⓘ icon next to your AirPods in the list.
From the box or receipt: The serial number is printed on the barcode label on the original product box and on your purchase receipt.

Tip when buying used: Ask the seller to show you the serial number in Settings → General → About, then cross-reference it with the number on the box. If they don't match, the device may have been replaced or tampered with.

Step 2: Visit Apple's Official Coverage Checker

Go to checkcoverage.apple.com in any browser. This is Apple's official, free guarantee check tool. No Apple ID is required.

Alternatively, sign into mysupport.apple.com with your Apple ID to see all devices registered to your account in one list.

Step 3: Enter Your Serial Number

Type or paste your serial number into the field and complete the security verification (a simple CAPTCHA). Serial numbers are typically 10–12 alphanumeric characters.

Step 4: Read Your Guarantee Status

Apple returns a summary that includes:

Repairs and Service Coverage — Active ✅ or Expired ❌
AppleCare+ status and expiry date (if applicable)
Technical support eligibility
Estimated coverage expiration date

If the result shows Active, your device is within Apple's guarantee and eligible for free repairs on manufacturing defects. If it shows Expired, out-of-warranty repair rates apply.

Apple Guarantee Check: Video Walkthrough

For a visual walkthrough of the process, this YouTube tutorial by Max Dalton covers the full check step by step:

Apple's own support channel also publishes official how-to guides:

📹 Apple Support on YouTube — youtube.com/applesupport

What to Do When Your Apple Guarantee Expires

Running an Apple guarantee check and finding your coverage has expired doesn't mean you're out of options.

Option 1: Out-of-Warranty Apple Repairs Apple Stores and Apple Authorised Service Providers still repair devices after warranty expiry — at standard out-of-warranty rates. Apple uses only genuine parts and provides a 90-day warranty on the repair itself. Check current pricing at support.apple.com/repair.

Option 2: Third-Party Extended Warranty Providers Companies like Asurion and Upsie offer extended warranty plans for Apple devices as an alternative to AppleCare+. These are worth comparing if your device is still in good condition but the AppleCare+ window has closed.

Option 3: Consumer Law Rights (EU/UK) If you're in the EU and your device fails within 2 years of purchase, you have statutory rights under consumer law regardless of Apple's warranty status. Contact the retailer you purchased from, not Apple directly, as Year 2 is the seller's obligation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Apple guarantee check?

An Apple guarantee check is the process of verifying whether your Apple device (iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods) is still covered by Apple's limited warranty or an AppleCare+ plan. You do it by entering your serial number at checkcoverage.apple.com.

Is the Apple guarantee check free?

Yes. Apple's official coverage checker at checkcoverage.apple.com is completely free, requires no account, and gives instant results.

Can I check the Apple guarantee on a second-hand device?

Yes. The serial number check works for any Apple device worldwide, including used or refurbished devices. Always run a guarantee check before buying a used iPhone or Mac.

Why does my Apple guarantee show an incorrect purchase date?

This happens when Apple doesn't have a verified purchase date on file. Provide proof of purchase (receipt) to Apple Support and they can update the record to reflect your actual purchase date.

Can I transfer my Apple guarantee or AppleCare+ when I sell my device?

The standard 1-year warranty transfers automatically with the device. AppleCare+ also transfers — contact Apple Support to update ownership. Active AppleCare+ increases resale value, so it's worth advertising clearly.

My Apple guarantee shows "Expired" but I just bought the device. What should I do?

This is usually a purchase date issue. Contact Apple Support and bring your receipt. They can correct the record. It occasionally happens with refurbished devices or when a retailer activates a device before sale.

Does Apple's guarantee cover battery replacement?

If your battery's capacity drops below 80% within the warranty period due to a manufacturing defect, Apple covers replacement under the standard guarantee. AppleCare+ covers battery service whenever capacity drops below 80%, for the full plan duration.

What is the difference between Apple warranty and Apple guarantee?

Legally, "warranty" is Apple's term; "guarantee" is the term used in European and UK consumer law for the seller's statutory obligation. In practice, they refer to the same protection — both are checked at checkcoverage.apple.com.

Check Warranty for Other Brands

MyWarrantyCheck supports free warranty lookups for all major manufacturers. If you need to check another device alongside your Apple guarantee check, use the links below:

Summary

Running an Apple guarantee check is one of the simplest and most valuable things you can do as an Apple device owner. In under two minutes at checkcoverage.apple.com, you'll know exactly where you stand — and whether you need to act before your coverage window closes.

The key things to remember:

All Apple devices include a 1-year limited warranty from the purchase date
EU law extends this to 2 years as a statutory guarantee
AppleCare+ extends coverage to 2–3 years and adds accidental damage protection
You have 60 days from purchase to add AppleCare+
Always run a guarantee check before buying a used Apple device

MyWarrantyCheck is not affiliated with Apple Inc. Apple, iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods, and AppleCare are trademarks of Apple Inc.