iPhone
Find out how to purchase iPhone, as well as details on activation, technical support, training, recycling, returns and more.
Where to Purchase
You can purchase iPhone through the Apple Online Store, or at an Apple Retail Store. You may also be eligible for Personal Pickup with your iPhone purchase. Personal Pickup lets you purchase your iPhone online and pick it up in an Apple Retail Store.
To purchase iPhone online, visit the Apple Online Store - iPhone page and choose your iPhone.
How to Purchase
First, specify if you're a new or existing AT&T Wireless, Sprint, or Verizon Wireless customer. You can also choose to purchase your iPhone unlocked and contract-free.
Once you select your carrier, or if you're purchasing iPhone contract-free, follow the steps below to complete your iPhone purchase.
If you're opening a new account with your carrier:
1. Select a Rate Plan
Select monthly voice, data and messaging rate plans. Click iPhone Plan Comparison to view and compare rate plans.
2. Decide whether to transfer your phone number
You can request a new phone number, or transfer your current mobile number to your iPhone. If you request a new number, you will receive it in your Shipment Notification email. You can view the new number on your iPhone, or after syncing your iPhone in iTunes.
3. Enter your billing information
Enter your billing information. The carrier will do a credit check and verify that you are eligible for service. Your monthly bill will also be sent to this address.
4. Decide where to get your iPhone
You can choose to have your iPhone shipped to a physical address, or pick up your iPhone at an Apple Retail Store.
Ship iPhone
To ship your iPhone to a physical address, select the Ships button on the Cart page.
Pick Up iPhone
To pick up your iPhone at an Apple Retail Store, select the Pick Up button.
If you're starting a new wireless account, your iPhone must be picked up by the primary account holder, which is the person whose billing information is linked with the wireless plan.
To pick up your iPhone in an Apple Retail Store, the primary account holder will need to bring the card used for payment, or the order number and a valid photo ID.
If you have an existing account with your carrier:
1. Enter your account information
In order to check your account status, you will need to enter your wireless phone number, billing zip code, the last four digits of your Social Security number and your account password (if you have one).
2. Review iPhone pricing
iPhone pricing and eligibility to purchase a new iPhone will be determined based on your account status with your carrier.
3. Make any required plan selections
You may need to select a data and messaging plan.
4. Decide where to get your iPhone
You can choose to have your iPhone shipped to a physical address, or pick up your iPhone at an Apple Retail Store.
Ship iPhone
To ship your iPhone to a physical address, select the Ships button on the Cart page.
Pick Up iPhone
To pick up your iPhone at an Apple Retail Store, select the Pick Up button.
If you're upgrading or replacing an iPhone for an existing wireless account, you or an authorized user on your account may pick up your iPhone. Please contact your carrier to verify authorized users.
To pick up your iPhone in an Apple Retail Store, you or the authorized user will need to bring the card used for payment, or the order number and a valid photo ID.
If you're purchasing an unlocked, contract-free iPhone:
1. Select your iPhone
2. Review iPhone pricing
3. Choose iPhone Accessories
4. Decide where to get your iPhone
You can choose to have your iPhone shipped to a physical address, or pick up your iPhone at an Apple Retail Store.
Ship iPhone
To ship your iPhone to a physical address, select the Ships button on the Cart page.
Pick Up iPhone
To pick up your iPhone at an Apple Retail Store, select the Pick Up button.
If you're purchasing iPhone without a carrier contract, the person making the purchase will need to pick up your iPhone.
To pick up your iPhone in an Apple Retail Store, the purchaser will need to bring the card used for payment, or the order number and a valid photo ID.
Order Status
To view or update your order, please visit the Viewing & Changing Orders section of online Help, or go directly to online Order Status.
Activate Your iPhone
Activating your iPhone is easy! You can activate over a Wi-Fi network, or activate and sync your contacts, music, photos, and more through the latest version of iTunes.
To activate with Wi-Fi, you'll need:
- Your iPhone
- A Wi-Fi network (or a cellular network for iPhone 4S)
Simply hold the On/Off button and follow the onscreen instructions. If you don't have access to a Wi-Fi network, you can activate with the latest version of iTunes.
To activate with iTunes, you'll need:
- Your iPhone
- The latest version of iTunes - Download
- Your Apple ID - What is an Apple ID?
Just connect to your computer and iTunes will guide you through activation, as well as sync your music, video, bookmarks, and contacts.
Voicemail
Please note that activation may delete your existing voicemails. If you are transferring an existing number from another network operator, existing voicemails may not be transferred.
Transferring your mobile number
If you are transferring a mobile number, the process may take as little as 15 minutes or up to 6 hours to complete. If you are transferring a home number, the process may take up to 5-7 days to complete. While the transfer is in process, you will be able to make outgoing calls with your iPhone, but incoming calls will be sent to your current phone.
When the transfer is complete, you will receive a text message. Transferring a number from another wireless carrier ends your current service and termination fees may apply.
Support and Training
Apple designed iPhone to be incredibly simple to use. Nevertheless, there may be times that you could use a little help.
iPhone Support
The iPhone Support page contains a wealth of information to help you learn more about iPhone capabilities, including the iPhone User Guide, technical support articles, troubleshooting tips, and customer discussion forums.
iPhone comes with 90 days of technical support. In addition, your iPhone, its rechargeable battery, and all included accessories are covered against defects for a full year from the purchase date by a limited hardware warranty. Learn more about your Hardware Warranty.
For hardware or software support, please visit our iPhone Support, visit an Apple Retail Store, or call 1-800-MY-IPHONE (1-800-694-7466).
Wireless Carrier Support
For wireless carrier questions, refer to the following support pages:
Additional resources
Get the most out of your iPhone by attending free iPhone workshops at an Apple Retail Store. Visit Learn more about apps to learn about some of the most useful and popular apps.
Additional Information
iPhone Gift Card + Personal Setup
iPhone makes the perfect gift! Purchase an iPhone Gift Card and redeem it in an Apple Retail Store for free Personal Setup. With Personal Setup, an Apple Specialist will help the iPhone recipient with setup and customization free of charge when redeeming an iPhone Gift Card.
Refer to the Gifting help page for more details on all Apple gift options. For more details on Personal Setup, visit the Apple Retail Store - Personal Setup page.
Accessory compatibility
While there are thousands of accessories that have been designed specifically for iPod, not all of these are fully compatible with iPhone. This is because cell phones can cause audio interference with some accessories.
To ensure the best possible customer experience, Apple has created special iPhone compatibility requirements for accessory manufacturers. Products that are engineered and certified to be compatible with iPhone carry a "Works with iPhone" logo on the packaging.
If you connect iPhone to an accessory that was not made to work with iPhone, you can activate Airplane Mode while connected to the accessory. This will avoid any potential audio interference, but you will not be able to make or receive calls. If you choose not to activate Airplane Mode, you will still be able to make and receive calls, but you may experience some audio interference.
To shop for iPhone gear, explore the iPhone Accessories pages of the Apple Online Store.
Recycling
Not sure what to do with your old mobile phone? Recycle it. Find out more about the Apple Recycling Program.
U.S. Sales Only
The Apple Online Store U.S. ships items only within the 50 United States. No shipments can be made to PO Box addresses, United States territories, or addresses outside of the United States. You may not export any products purchased at the Apple Online Store.
Returns and refunds
iPhone Return Policy
If you are not fully satisfied with your iPhone purchase, you can return your undamaged iPhone to the Apple Online Store (1-800-MY-APPLE), or to a U.S. Apple Store, within 30 calendar days from shipment for a full refund. If you return your iPhone within 30 calendar days from shipment, you will not be charged a restocking fee. Your iPhone must be returned in the original packaging, including any accessories, manuals, and documentation.
Service Cancellation
If your iPhone is returned to our warehouse within 30 days from the date of shipment, your AT&T or Sprint service will be cancelled automatically and you will not be charged an early termination fee. For Verizon Wireless, once you return your iPhone, contact Verizon to confirm service cancellation and avoid an early termination fee. You will be responsible for all applicable usage fees, prorated access charges, taxes, surcharges, or other charges through the termination date. Please contact your carrier for more information about other applicable fees.
Review the Returns & Refunds section of online Help for more information.
iPhone Sales Tax Rates
In California and Rhode Island, sales tax is collected on the unbundled price of the iPhone.
