How long do I have to get AppleCare for my MacBook Pro after I purchased it?

You can get AppleCare+ anytime from the point of purchase until 60 days after you purchase. In some areas, you can even add it up to one year after the original purchase, as long as there's no accidental damage.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202702

AppleCare+ is a great investment! I'm glad you'll get it.

Ok I found out; it is indeed 60 from when you PURCHASED (and NOT when it is delivered, so if you had a long delivery time, that cuts into it) HOWEVER, if it is not long over and your device (after diagnostics) still works well, they will sell you AppleCare even after 60 days when you call them (can't do it online though). I just went through the process with my MacBook Pro. It was 6 days over (but NOT over the delivery 60 days time frame)

I have this question too as my MacBook Pro was a gift and I wasn't aware AppleCare wasn't on it until the screen went black on me. Gratefully, it happened within some grace period and the repair was free, but that's when I discovered apple care was not on it. Now that I have the Mac Pro back, I am not able to add it. I was told to add it when I received the device back...

When Apple specifies such times, the item is consider purchased when DELIVERED. The 'waiting to be manufactured' time does NOT count. Your day-of-purchase is at most a few days before delivery, and is arguably "On Receipt".

@grant, lol you would think so, and you specifically can say so, but yeah, that's not the case when you go online to try and get AppleCare. 60 days after PURCHASE the website shuts the option down for you. Obviously they are indeed more lenient and will help you but you WILL have to call in (or go to the store when it is back open).

Also not sure why you think that the day of purchase is at most a few days before delivery; because that has not been the case for me half the time. When you have a new item or a popular item, it is made for you in the factory (China) upon order, so you will have to wait until it is put together and then shipped from China. This happened to my iPad AND my m1 laptop. I had to wait a week (laptop) to up to 3 weeks (iPad) after purchase.

and yet, the website had turned off the AppleCare option for me per date of order. What you (and I because I agree, it should be that way) think SHOULD happen, and what really happens are currently not the same thing. Again, a call to Apple will solve a lot, but online it is not possible as of now.

Then why do I not see the option to cover my laptop despite having gotten it less than 60 days ago?

Apple reserves the right to INSPECT an already-delivered MacBook Pro before approving the purchase of AppleCare PLUS.

(Otherwise, only owners of damaged Macs would apply for coverage.)

ohh so what is the support for those in between like myself? Meaning, the device has already been purchased and now is no longer damaged...

And when did they charge your credit card?

THAT should be the automatic date-of-purchase. not the day you ordered.