As always, Apple has extended its return period in the run-up to the holidays. With some exceptions, buyers now have until early January 2027 to change their minds.
Apple does this every year and every time the general lines are the same. From now until Christmas Day, most items will be available for returns until early January.
For this year, Apple announced that the return date is January 8, 2027. It also explained in detail what is excluded:
- Apple Gift Cards
- Subscription for Apple developers and other products
- Installed software or updates from the App Store
The most important thing, however, is what would happen with the return of a cellular iPhone or iPad, if it had been purchased tied to a particular operator.
“Wireless carriers have different cancellation policies,” Apple notes. “Returning your iPhone or iPad may not automatically cancel or reset your wireless account.”
As a result, Apple states that “you are responsible for your own wireless service contract.”
Please also note that Apple’s return policy only applies to items purchased from a retail or online Apple Store. When ordering online, the date you received the product is used to determine eligibility, not the day you ordered.
All of this is the same as before, except that Apple has re-added the gift card rejection it had omitted in 2025. For completeness, the terms and conditions still include references to open software, decades since Apple sold boxed apps.
These are the terms that apply to US customers, although there are very similar ones for international buyers. There are also a number of additional returns steps for customers in Puerto Rico, which Apple details on its returns page.
