Skipped Pixel Care+ at checkout? Google just secured you a rare do-over

Google is giving Pixel 10 Pro XL and Pixel 9 owners a rare second shot at Pixel Care+, reopening enrollment through August 2 for anyone who missed the original 60-day window. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold and Pixel Watch sit this one out, so foldable owners stay under the usual rules.

Google reopens the window for missed enrollments

Google confirmed the offer on its blog this week. The timing tracks with how many owners forget that Pixel Care+ needs adding within 60 days of purchase, and from July 13 through August 2, enrollment reopens for a specific list of devices:

• Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and 9a
• Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, and 10a

To qualify, your Pixel needs to still be in good working order, with no cracked glass, liquid damage, or mechanical issues, and your Google Account needs to have been linked to the device before July 13. Devices already enrolled in Pixel Care+, Preferred Care, or Google Fi's device protection don't qualify for the do-over.

How this stacks up against AppleCare+ and Samsung Care+

If you carry a Galaxy alongside your Pixel, this will feel familiar. We saw Samsung run a similar open enrollment stretch for Care+ back in the spring of 2025, so Google isn't the first OEM to bend this rule.



AppleCare+ holds a tighter line. Miss its 60-day window and Apple generally wants an in-person inspection before it'll even consider late enrollment. Google skipping that step is the friendlier move here.

What it actually costs and where the loophole ends

Pricing depends on which Pixel you own. Monthly plans run $8 to $15, or pay $159 to $279 upfront for two years of coverage. Screen and battery repairs stay free throughout, though any other accidental damage still carries a $99 service fee.

Add Loss and Theft and that's a separate tier, capped at two claims a year with a $79 to $99 deductible. It's not available in New York, and only applies in your Pixel's country of purchase.

My take: worth grabbing if you've been putting it off

I get why people skip protection at checkout, it's one more upsell, and 60 days goes by fast. Still, if I'd skipped Care+ on a Pixel 10 Pro XL or Pixel 9 this year, I'd sign up before August 2. A free screen replacement alone outweighs what most of these plans cost.

Hopefully this becomes a semi-regular thing rather than a one-off, since plenty of people don't think about protection plans until the day they actually need one.

• Our guide to the best Google Pixel phones you can buy right now
• Our full Pixel 10 Pro Fold review, if you're curious what the excluded foldable is missing out on
• Come find me on X and Threads (@jojothetechie) for more hot takes and behind-the-scenes coverage

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