AppleCare for the new Macs is hidden but available

Despite the New Mac mini and Mac Studio apparently not including an option to add AppleCare where it has historically been during the order process, you just have to click through a few pages to get it done.

It’s not remotely clear why Apple would choose to hide AppleCare for the new Macs since the option is front and center with other Macs. With those, AppleCare is on the order page, right after processor, RAM, and storage options.

With the new Mac mini and Mac Studio, there is no such option on that page, but there is later in the process. Apple uses this extra step to promote the Studio Display and the way it’s done is simply confusing.

Unless you do want a Studio Display, you have to:

• Configure your Mac
• Click on Continue
• Ignore everything about the Studio Display
• Instead, click on Add to Bag at the top
• Choose your AppleCare plan from the next page

Click “Add to bag” to get past this page, and proceed to the AppleCare page.

To get to the AppleCare page, you hit “Add to bag” next to the name of the computer you’re buying. AppleCare options are on the next page.

Again, if you don’t want anything on the AppleCare page, click the “Review bag” next to the computer name.

If you continue on with your pre-order of a new Mac, you get this AppleCare screen later in the process.

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Then you review, and choose payment options.

AppleCare pricing

There are two flavors of AppleCare, with AppleCare+ covering one device and the AppleCare One bundle covering up to three devices for one $19.99 monthly price without additions.

There’s some math to do about how to get the most out of your AppleCare One bundle, and it is generally not in the Mac mini’s favor. We have more details here on that.

The Mac Studio on its own, AppleCare+ is $6.49/month or $64.99/year. For the Mac mini, it’s $3.99/month or $39.99/year.