Users of Apple products around the world have begun receiving refunds for their AppleCare+ plans related to iPhones they purchased and traded in years back. The reason behind these refunds remains unclear, with several different cases being reported.
AppleCare+ Refund Notification
A broad range of recently traded-in iPhone models, from the iPhone 11 Pro to the iPhone 14 Pro, are being refunded by Apple. The notification email sent to impacted customers reads as follows:
Dear Customer,
Our records indicate that you qualify for a refund related to your AppleCare+ agreement (number) for the iPhone 12 Pro Max that you returned or traded in.
A refund of $201.47 has been processed to the payment method linked to your Apple Account. Please allow up to 30 days for the refund to complete.
If you have any queries or need assistance, please reach out to Apple Support.
Best regards,
Apple Support
Different Refund Amounts
Interestingly, some recipients are reporting refunds that exceed the potential unused portion of their AppleCare+ agreements. Typically, AppleCare+ costs $199 for two years of coverage on Pro iPhone models, and $269 for theft and loss coverage. A refund of $201.47 appears excessive, especially if the customer used their iPhone for a reasonable duration.
Additionally, Dylan McDonald shared on X that he received a refund of $181.36 for his iPhone 12 Pro Max’s AppleCare+ coverage, despite being on a monthly subscription. He admitted that he delayed canceling his subscription for a few months after trading in, but even so, the refund should have been near $40 rather than $200.
However, the experience hasn’t been uniformly positive, with some customers receiving refunds as low as a few dollars.
Conclusion
For those who have not received an automatic refund, it is recommended to contact Apple Support, which can facilitate the process for obtaining a “Repair Extension Program Refund.”
The exact circumstances surrounding these refunds remain unclear, though they are being reported by customers in both the US and UK. Many users have confirmed that refunds are already reflected in their bank accounts, indicating that the emails are legitimate.
It’s noteworthy that customers were previously able to call for partial refunds on their two-year AppleCare+ plans; it appears that Apple is now streamlining this process with automation.
We will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Have you received such a notification? Feel free to share your experience in the comments.
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