Apple will not replace a stolen iPhone for free, but you have other options depending on your insurance and carrier
If your iPhone is stolen, Apple's standard warranty does not cover theft. Apple's one-year limited warranty covers manufacturing defects and accidental damage only if you paid for AppleCare+, which adds theft and loss coverage for an additional fee. Without that coverage, you will need to look elsewhere: your phone carrier's insurance program, your homeowner's or renter's insurance, or a third-party device protection plan.
The path forward depends on what protection you already have in place. If you bought AppleCare+ when you got your phone, you can file a claim with Apple directly. If not, contact your carrier (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or another provider) to see whether you enrolled in their device protection plan. Some people also discover that their homeowner's or renter's insurance covers phones as personal property, though this usually comes with a deductible.
Key Takeaways
- Apple's standard warranty does not cover theft; only AppleCare+ with theft coverage does, and you must have purchased it before the phone was stolen.
- Your phone carrier may offer device protection insurance that covers theft, but you typically must enroll at the time of purchase or within a short window afterward.
- Homeowner's or renter's insurance sometimes covers stolen phones as personal property, though the deductible may be higher than the phone's value.
- If your phone is stolen, report it to Apple and your carrier when ready so they can blacklist the device and prevent unauthorized use of your account.
- You can check your AppleCare+ status and file a claim through your Apple ID account or by calling Apple Support.
How AppleCare+ Covers Theft and What It Costs
AppleCare+ is Apple's extended protection plan, and it is the only Apple product that covers theft. The plan must be purchased within 60 days of buying your iPhone—you cannot add it after your phone is stolen. AppleCare+ costs between $99 and $199 depending on the iPhone model, and you pay it upfront when you buy the phone or shortly after.
If you have AppleCare+ and your phone is stolen, you can file a theft claim with Apple. The claim process requires you to file a police report first, then contact Apple Support with proof of the report. Apple will ask for your device serial number and details about the theft. If your claim is approved, Apple will send you a replacement phone, but you will pay a service fee—typically $99 to $149 depending on the model—plus applicable taxes.
You can check whether you have AppleCare+ by opening the Apple ID app on your iPhone, going to Media & Purchases, then Subscriptions, or by visiting appleid.apple.com on any device. If AppleCare+ appears in your subscriptions list, you have coverage. If it does not, you do not have theft protection through Apple.
Carrier Device Protection Plans and Their Theft Coverage
Most phone carriers—Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and others—offer device protection insurance as an optional add-on. These plans typically cost $8 to $15 per month and cover theft, loss, accidental damage, and hardware failure. Unlike AppleCare+, you can sometimes enroll in a carrier plan up to 30 days after purchase, though some carriers require enrollment at the time of sale.
If your phone is stolen and you have carrier device protection, contact your carrier's claims department. You will need to file a police report and provide proof of the theft. The carrier will then send you a replacement phone or refurbished device, usually within 5 to 10 business days. You will pay a deductible, which ranges from $50 to $250 depending on the plan and the phone's value.
To find out whether you have carrier device protection, log into your carrier's website or app, go to your account settings, and look for device protection, insurance, or device care. You can also call your carrier's customer service line and ask directly. If you do not have it and want to add it now, most carriers will not cover a phone that is already lost or stolen, so this option only works for future protection.
Using Homeowner's or Renter's Insurance for a Stolen Phone
Some homeowner's and renter's insurance policies cover personal property, including phones, as part of your standard coverage. This is not automatic—you need to check your policy or call your insurance agent to confirm. If your phone is covered, you can file a claim just as you would for any other stolen item.
The main drawback is the deductible. Most homeowner's and renter's policies have a deductible of $500 to $1,000, which means you pay that amount out of pocket before insurance covers anything. If your iPhone costs $800 and your deductible is $500, insurance would cover only $300—often not worth filing a claim. However, if you have a newer, expensive model and a low deductible, this route may make sense.
To check your coverage, review your policy documents or contact your insurance agent. They can tell you whether phones are covered, what the deductible is, and what documentation you will need to file a claim. You will typically need a police report, proof of purchase, and proof that the phone was yours.
What to Do when ready After Your Phone Is Stolen
The first step is to report the theft to your local police department. You need a police report number to file any insurance claim, whether with Apple, your carrier, or your homeowner's insurance. You do not need to go to a police station in person—many departments allow you to file a report online or by phone.
Next, contact your phone carrier and ask them to suspend your account or blacklist the device. This prevents someone else from using your phone number or accessing your account. Then sign into your Apple ID from another device and change your password when ready. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, and update your password and security settings. You should also enable two-factor authentication if you have not already.
After that, check your AppleCare+ status and carrier device protection status to see which insurance options are available to you. If you have either, contact the provider and ask about the claims process. Have your police report number ready when you call.
What Happens to Your Data and Accounts
Once your phone is stolen, anyone with physical access to it can potentially access your data, depending on how your phone was locked. If you had Face ID or Touch ID enabled and a strong passcode, the thief cannot easily access your data. However, if your passcode was weak or you did not have biometric security enabled, your information is at risk.
Use Find My iPhone (now called Find My) to locate your phone if possible, or to erase it remotely if you cannot recover it. Sign into iCloud.com from another device, go to Find My, select your iPhone, and choose Erase This Device. This will wipe your phone clean and prevent the thief from accessing your photos, messages, and other personal information.
You should also change the passwords for any sensitive accounts—email, banking, social media—from another device. If your phone had access to your email or banking apps, change those passwords first. Consider placing a fraud alert with the credit bureaus if you are concerned about identity theft.
Alternatives If You Have No Insurance
If you do not have AppleCare+, carrier device protection, or homeowner's insurance coverage, you will need to buy a replacement phone out of pocket. You can purchase a new iPhone directly from Apple, from your carrier, or from a third-party retailer like Best Buy or Amazon. Prices range from around $200 for an older model to over $1,000 for the latest flagship phone.
Some people choose to buy a refurbished or used iPhone instead of a new one to save money. Refurbished phones sold by Apple or carriers come with a limited warranty and are typically cheaper than new models. Used phones from reputable sellers like Swappa or eBay also cost less, though they come with more risk and no warranty.
If cost is a barrier, you might also consider switching to a less expensive phone temporarily while you save for a replacement. Many carriers offer budget Android phones for $100 to $300, which can keep you connected while you decide on your next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a replacement iPhone from Apple if my phone was stolen but I do not have AppleCare+?
No. Apple's standard warranty does not cover theft. Only AppleCare+ covers stolen phones, and you must have purchased it before the theft occurred. If you do not have AppleCare+, you will need to look into carrier insurance, homeowner's insurance, or buying a replacement phone yourself.
How much does it cost to replace a stolen iPhone through AppleCare+?
If you have AppleCare+ and file a successful theft claim, you pay a service fee of $99 to $149 depending on your iPhone model, plus applicable taxes. You also must file a police report before Apple will process the claim.
Can I add AppleCare+ after my phone is stolen to cover the replacement?
No. AppleCare+ must be purchased within 60 days of buying your iPhone. Once your phone is stolen, you cannot add AppleCare+ retroactively. You will need to pursue other insurance options or purchase a replacement phone out of pocket.
What should I do with my phone number if my iPhone is stolen?
Contact your carrier when ready and ask them to suspend your account or blacklist the device. This prevents someone else from using your phone number. Your carrier can also help you transfer your number to a new phone once you have a replacement.
Will my homeowner's insurance cover a stolen iPhone?
Some homeowner's and renter's policies cover phones as personal property, but not all do. Check your policy documents or call your insurance agent to confirm coverage. Even if your phone is covered, the deductible may be higher than the phone's value, making a claim not worth filing.