Mac Screen Replacement Cost (Price Guide For All Models)

Whether you have a Macbook Air or Macbook Pro, a broken screen can be devastating. If the Macbook was expensive, then replacing the screen must be costly too, right? This question might even prevent you from trying, leaving the screen cracked or otherwise impaired for months on end.

If you do want to repair your screen, there are a few things that you need to think about before you take your Macbook into the shop. Below, we've compiled everything you need to know about the cost to replace your Mac screen.

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What Makes A Mac Screen Valuable?

Apple takes great care in designing their laptop screens. They use top-quality parts and manufacturing practices to make the best product possible, and their work speaks for itself.

To make the screen, Apple uses highly durable construction materials like milled aluminum, which makes it feel almost indestructible to the touch. However, even these can crack under pressure like the glass of any other laptop screen.

Other PC laptop brands like HP and Lenovo use the same display for all or most of their models. Apple, on the other hand, often uses a different retina display for each specific Macbook model. Their custom-fitted retina displays are one of the things that make Macbooks unique, but this also makes it more expensive than the cost of replacing a regular laptop screen.

What Is The Difference Between AppleCare And AppleCare+?

The warranties Apple offers its customers differ in significant ways that can impact how much you might pay for a screen replacement.

AppleCare

Apple offers AppleCare for every product that you purchase, free of charge. It is essentially a basic warranty covering some forms of damage and has some customer service perks thrown in. You don't have to activate the coverage, as it automatically begins the day you purchase the device.

These are the specific benefits you get with AppleCare:

1-year hardware repair coverage
Your laptop and any other Apple accessories included in the box are covered in the event of hardware failure or mishandling. This can be something like the home button failing, a dead screen, or a port malfunction.
90-day free phone/text support
This gives you access to a real person via phone or text as opposed to the standard online web chat support. They can help you troubleshoot whatever issues you might have with your device or your Apple ID.

It is worth noting that AppleCare does not cover any accidental damage once you start using the device. For example, if you drop your laptop and the screen breaks, that won't be covered under your AppleCare warranty. If any accidental damage occurs, you'll have to pay out of pocket for the full repair price.

AppleCare+

That is where AppleCare+ comes into play. Applecare+ is an enhanced warranty that you can purchase in addition to whatever Apple product you buy. It includes all the benefits of AppleCare but also covers several forms of accidental damage.

The cost of AppleCare+ will vary depending on which device you own but expect to pay $9.99 per month for 24 months for a $199 plan.

The specific benefits you get with AppleCare+ include:

Extended hardware repair coverage
Instead of the one year of coverage you get with AppleCare, your coverage is extended to three years. In the event of something like a dead screen, the replacement screen will be covered after you pay a service fee.
24/7 tech support
In addition to the 90 days complimentary phone/text support, you get 24/7 access to expert representatives who can solve your issue in a single phone call. If you have a broken screen, they can tell you whether the specific type of damage is covered under warranty or how much it might cost if it isn't.
Accidental damage coverage
What makes AppleCare+ worth the money is that it covers some forms of accidental damage. You get two incidents covered per year. However, contact an Apple representative to see if your specific damage is covered under your policy.

AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss

There is also an even better warranty that you can buy called AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss. This includes everything covered by AppleCare and AppleCare+, plus theft and loss insurance.

Your laptop or other Apple device will be covered in the event that someone steals it, or you accidentally lose it.

Although you probably won't need this if your screen needs replacing, it could be that your laptop was temporarily stolen and left behind damaged in the process. Theft coverage covers all your bases.

How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Mac Screen?

Your full-screen repair cost will depend on what level of AppleCare coverage you have and how the screen was damaged in the first place. Water damage, for instance, will cost more than a cracked screen or dead screen.

However, both AppleCare+ and AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss cover the same cost for a broken screen. If the damage is within the warranty specifications, you won't have to pay for screen replacement.

If it's out of warranty, you may be stuck with the full price. In addition, Apple charges a $100 service fee/deductible for any type of screen replacement.

Basic AppleCare recipients won't be covered for a full-screen replacement. Most MacBooks have a retina display screen, which is expensive.

Some older models may not, but you can expect the newer models to come equipped with one. The cost for a full retina display screen replacement is as follows:

Tier 1 (minor damage) - $355 + $100 service = $455
Tier 2 (moderate damage) - $455 + $100 service = $555
Tier 3 (major damage) - $555 + $100 service = $655
Tier 4 (Water damage or multiple damage points) - $655 + 100 service = $755

As you can see, replacing your MacBook screen without AppleCare+ can be insanely expensive.

Does Apple Replace MacBook Screens For Free?

It might be tempting to think that AppleCare+ means that a full-screen replacement is free. The reality is that there are hidden costs with the coverage that you might not know about.

Apple charges a deductible for any repair cost that AppleCare+ covers. That means that you'll have to pay a service fee even if your device is covered under warranty.

Although this price is a fraction of what the full repair cost might be, it can still be a hard pill to swallow, especially after you've been paying the monthly premiums.

For screen damage, the service fee is $29. Any other accidental damage, including water damage that may have impacted screen performance, is $99.

If you don't have AppleCare+, you'll most likely have to pay the full cost of the screen repair. Apple won't replace it for free, no matter how much you beg the Genius Bar.

Is It Worth Replacing A MacBook Screen?

Although you might think that replacing the screen is a no-brainer compared to the cost of a new laptop, that isn't always the case. Sometimes, the age and state of disrepair that your laptop might be in will make replacing a better option than repairing.

Even if you have AppleCare+, the type of damage might not be covered, or you may have already exhausted your accidental damage coverage.

Conclusion

If you're about to pay $755 for a brand new screen, stop and think about how long you've had the laptop. If it's been more than four years, then chances are that your MacBook isn't going to last too much longer. Instead of spending money on a screen that you'll only use for a short time, buying a new MacBook is probably best.

Holly Curell

Holly Curell is a US-based freelance writer & editor extraordinaire. With over a decade of writing technical manuals, blog articles, & even company communications, Holly has a passion for providing value to readers on everything she knows about tech-related topics. When she’s not writing, Holly enjoys reading, hiking, wine, & wandering the aisles of Trader Joe’s. Holly is currently based out of North Carolina, where she lives with her husband Ken & their three children.