Here is a breakdown of when Apple will fix your device for free, and when they will charge you.
In summary, Apple may fix your iPhone for free if:
The third scenario where a free repair is possible involves , most notably the statutory warranty in countries like Australia and the nations of the European Union. While the US is stuck with a one-year warranty, many regions mandate that products must last a "reasonable" amount of time given their price (often two to six years). In these countries, if an iPhone’s logic board dies after 18 months, Apple may be legally forced to fix it for free, even if the standard warranty has expired. In the United States, however, such laws are rare, and Apple Pay’s terms generally reign supreme.
Occasionally, Apple identifies a specific manufacturing fault in a specific model line. When this happens, they launch a "Service Program." This is the most common way people get free repairs on older phones.
Finally, there is the loophole. While AppleCare+ is not "free"—it is an upfront insurance premium—customers often confuse its benefits with complimentary service. With AppleCare+, you still pay a deductible (called a "service fee") of $29 for screen repairs or $99 for other damage. You only get truly free repairs under AppleCare+ for defects unrelated to damage. For users without AppleCare+, a single screen repair costs hundreds of dollars.
If your iPhone is no longer under warranty or AppleCare+ coverage, you'll need to pay for repairs. However, Apple may still offer repair options, such as:
