Buying a computer is not just anything and it is that they are generally computers that we use intensively and sometimes even professionally, in such a way that any slight failure that we have can become a major scare. For this reason, in this article we will tell you all about the Mac warranty with Apple, since you will be interested in knowing in which cases you will be covered and for how long.
It should be noted first that we talk in this article about Macs as a general concept, since everything is applicable to any model: MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, iMac Pro, Mac mini and Mac Pro .
How long does a Mac have a warranty?
According to the legislation of Spain and the vast majority of European countries, it must be guaranteed that for this type of products there is at least 24 months of coverage. In the case of Apple, it is not only covered, but increases to 26 months , that is, 2 years and 2 months.
Why does the Apple website say 1 year? There really is no official explanation about it. Since this writing, we have contacted Apple professionals and they have assured us that it is not correct, since if it were, they would be breaking the law. In this sense, there is a theory that says that Apple’s website in Spanish is probably translated from the American one up to those points, since in the United States they only offer 1 year of coverage.
If you buy your Mac from a store other than Apple , as long as it is a new product and not pre-owned, you will have a 24-month warranty from the date of purchase. Of course, in this case there is a slight difference and that is that if you buy it in Apple you will be covered by it during the entire period and if you do it in another store you will only have coverage with the brand during the first 12 months, while the 12 of then the selling shop covers them. This is also the case by law, so if they ever tell you otherwise, you can enforce your rights in the relevant way.
How to know if your Mac is still under warranty
If you have lost the purchase invoice and you do not remember when it was made, you will not know when the warranty expires. In any case there is a way to know if the device is still covered. You just have to go to an Apple website enabled for this purpose and enter the serial number of your computer. Once you do, the status of it will appear. If you think that it is not correct, you can contact the company to clarify completely, since it is possible that also in this case it is shown as if it were only 1 year instead of what corresponds.
What exactly this warranty covers
All failures not derived from misuse of the device will be covered. That is, imagine that suddenly strange spots start to appear on the screen or that the keyboard stops working. Although it is not usual, there may be certain hardware problems that the company covers completely free of charge. Possibly a manufacturing defect is what causes problems and therefore the company is obliged to cover it.
If the bug is widespread, Apple usually opens free repair programs for affected users. In recent years, there have been spots on the screen on MacBook Pro from 2015 and on the butterfly keyboards that have been incorporated into laptops from 2016 to 2019.
The company also takes care of all those software problems that may arise. This is usually fixed with software updates or by restoring the operating system. In any case, the brand offers to help you with the process or do it themselves so you don’t have to worry.
What it does not cover and that we will talk about later, are problems such as battery wear and the like, since in the end it is associated with natural causes of these types of components. Although if the consumption is excessive and it is detected that the battery was bad from the factory, they will be able to cover it without problem.
How it differs from AppleCare +
AppleCare + is an extended warranty that Apple offers on most of its products, although it could be more adjusted to the concept of excess insurance . It lasts for 24 months from the date of purchase and, in addition to covering free of charge everything that the normal warranty covers, it adds interesting discounts when it comes to other repairs.
It can be contracted at the time of purchase of the device with a cost that varies depending on the device, although it is also possible to contract it during the 90 days after this purchase. These are the discounted prices offered for repairs:
- Damage to the screen: 99 euros.
- Chassis damage: 99 euros.
- Battery changes if it is below 80%: 99 euros.
A guarantee is also offered in these cases for accessories such as the Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad or power cables or battery recharging cables.
Can I take out other insurance?
At Apple they only offer the possibility of purchasing AppleCare +, but there are many third-party stores that offer different insurance. The specific conditions of each one can be different and variable depending on the moment, so there really is no clear rule. Home insurance also comes in here, which in some cases can cover theft and loss. Be that as it may, we recommend that you consult all this with the franchise or store with which you want to insure your equipment.
Conditions for which the warranty is lost
At Apple there are several conditions under which the warranty can be lost. This is not conclusive, but if Apple will not agree to repair your products through warranty coverage if the following is detected:
- Damages derived from misuse of the device.
- Not having original software installed.
- Damage from water or other liquids.
- Having repaired the Mac in unauthorized services.
It is possible in a way to recover the guarantee . If, for example, you have changed the battery in an unauthorized place and then a different hardware problem arises that should be covered by the warranty, Apple will first force you to pay for an original battery and then make an assessment of the other component to see if it can be repaired for free through warranty.
How to enforce the warranty
As with other brand products, if your warranty year is with Apple itself, you can contact them through different channels. They have a technical support website where you can access guides, chat with professionals and even request an appointment at an Apple Store or Authorized Technical Service (SAT). It is also possible from the Support app available on iOS and iPadOS . If you are in Spain you can call the free phone number 900 150 503 . In any case, you can go to a store or SAT to request information and make the appointment.
If you want to enforce your second year warranty with the seller, you will have to contact them. The ways to do this will depend on the store, but they generally have information about it on their website and even offer customer service numbers by phone.