Apple
return policy.

What is Apple's return policy?

Apple accepts most eligible U.S. products for return or exchange within 14 calendar days after you receive the product. The item must have been purchased directly from Apple—through an Apple Store, the Apple Store Online, the Apple Store app or Retail Customer Care—and should be in original condition with all included parts, accessories and packaging.

An Apple product purchased from Best Buy, Amazon, Target, a wireless carrier or another retailer must go back under that seller's policy. Apple also limits returns to the country where the purchase was made.

Apple publishes no restocking fee for an ordinary eligible return, and prepaid mail shipping is free. Fourteen days is the only standard hardware window; the current pages do not publish a longer routine period.

Apple Returns & Refunds

When does Apple's 14-day return window start?

For a shipped order, the 14-day clock begins on the date you receive the product, not when you place the order or when Apple ships it. That distinction protects the return period when delivery takes several days. Apple's legal policy describes the same receipt-based standard.

For an in-store purchase, the official pages do not separately describe the clock start; the practical deadline appears on the receipt or order. Do not count on a grace period. Begin the return early enough to obtain the store transaction or prepaid-label instructions within the stated window.

Apple's U.S. sales and refund policy

Can you exchange an Apple product?

An eligible product bought from Apple in the United States can be exchanged at any U.S. Apple Store within the 14-day period, subject to stock availability. Bring the receipt and all included components. A different model or configuration can require paying or receiving the price difference.

Engraved items and custom-configured Macs are the key exception: Apple says they cannot be exchanged in store, but they can still be returned for a refund under the standard policy. That is different from saying personalization makes the product final sale.

If an online order arrives damaged or Apple sent the wrong product, take it to a U.S. Apple Store or call 1-800-676-2775. The return pages do not publish a separate deadline for those cases, so report the problem promptly.

Apple exchange instructions

What can't be returned to Apple?

Apple excludes opened software, electronic software downloads, Software Up-to-Date upgrades, Apple Gift Cards of every generation—including App Store and iTunes cards—and Apple Developer products such as memberships, support incidents and WWDC tickets.

Packaged software is eligible only if it has not been installed on any computer. Software with a printed license cannot be returned after the license seal is broken. Products purchased from another retailer are not accepted by Apple even when Apple manufactured them.

These rules concern Apple Store merchandise. App Store, iTunes, subscription and other digital-content refund requests use a separate Apple Media Services process and are not covered by this hardware guide.

Apple's non-returnable product list

Can you return engraved or custom Apple products?

Yes. An engraved iPad, engraved AirPods or a custom-configured Mac can be returned for a refund within the ordinary 14-day period. Apple does not allow these products to be exchanged in a store.

This is a commonly misunderstood distinction. Personalization changes the exchange option, not the published right to return for a refund. Use the order's return flow or ask Apple which channel to use, keep every accessory and retain the confirmation.

Apple's personalized-product return rule

How do iPhone returns and carrier service work?

An iPhone, cellular iPad or other wireless device bought directly from Apple generally follows the 14-day merchandise window. Returning the hardware does not automatically cancel or reset the wireless account. You remain responsible for the carrier agreement, service charges and cancellation requirements. Contact the carrier separately.

Before the return, make sure the person returning the device can disable its loss- or theft-protection features. Apple's legal policy says it may refuse a return or exchange when a security feature such as activation lock is active and cannot be disabled. Back up important information and remove personal data as practical preparation.

AppleCare+ tied to the iPhone Upgrade Program has an additional consequence: returning the AppleCare+ portion forfeits the program's Upgrade Option. Standalone AppleCare+ cancellation terms and carrier-financing mechanics are separate agreements and are not established by the merchandise pages reviewed here.

Apple's wireless-product return rules

How do you return an Apple order by mail or in a store?

Any U.S. Apple Store can accept an eligible product bought directly from Apple, whether the purchase was online or in store. The store processes the refund during the return transaction. Business-order customers should contact Apple's Business Team. An order containing ten or more of the same product must go back to the Apple Store where it was purchased.

For an eligible online mail return, open Apple's Order Listing, choose Start a Return, print the prepaid shipping label and any required hazardous-material labels, then schedule carrier pickup or use the assigned drop-off method. Apple recommends original packaging for computers, and every box needs its own label.

ZEISS Optical Inserts—Prescription are custom third-party products that Apple accepts on the vendor's behalf. They must be returned through the online order flow or 1-800-MY-APPLE, not at an Apple Store. ZEISS Readers can use a store, online or phone return. Shipments over $2,500 from Puerto Rico to the continental United States require export-declaration steps.

Apple's store and mail return instructions

How do Apple gift returns work?

A gift recipient can begin through Apple's Gift Returns page using the product serial number or the order number plus UPC. Apple handles one order at a time and provides a prepaid label; an eligible gift can also be returned to an Apple Store.

The recipient receives an electronic Apple Gift Card, not cash or a refund to a personal bank card. Apple's pages do not separately state when the 14-day gift clock begins, so use the deadline attached to the original order and start early.

Apple gift returns

Does Apple refund the difference after a price drop?

If Apple lowers the price of an Apple-branded product within 14 calendar days after you receive it, you can request a refund or credit for the difference within 14 days after the price change. Apple may require proof that you still possess the product and limits the benefit to ten units.

Limited-time price reductions and special sales events such as Black Friday are excluded. Price protection is separate from returning and repurchasing the product, so ask for the adjustment before using the return process.

Apple price-reduction policy

How long does an Apple refund take?

Apple says credit- and debit-card refunds are sent to the card-issuing bank within five business days after Apple receives the returned item or processes a cancellation. The bank controls when the credit appears. Apple's legal policy also says a return may require inspection and, once approved, a refund or exchange is issued within 10 business days. Treat the longer statement as possible for an inspected return.

An Apple Gift Card payment is refunded to an Apple Gift Card delivered by email, with a physical card available on request. Apple Account balance payments return to the balance; if the balance is at or near its maximum, Apple can issue a gift card instead. Cash or cash-equivalent refunds above $750 are mailed by check within 10 business days.

Apple refund methods and timing

Has Apple published its 2026 holiday return policy?

Apple had not published a 2026 holiday-return extension on its U.S. return pages when this guide was checked. Until current seasonal terms appear, use the ordinary 14-day deadline shown for the order.

Do not reuse an earlier year's dates. Holiday extensions can have product and purchase-date limitations, and Apple may publish them later in the season.

Apple's current return page

Is this the same as an App Store refund?

No. This guide covers physical merchandise bought through Apple's retail channels. Refunds for apps, subscriptions, music, movies and other Apple Media Services purchases use a separate request and eligibility process.

If the charge is digital, find it in Apple's purchase history and use Apple's digital refund service instead of taking a device or receipt to a retail store. Do not assume the hardware 14-day rule applies to content or subscriptions.

Apple's retail merchandise return page

What should you do before returning an Apple device?

• Confirm the seller was Apple, not another retailer or carrier.
• Check the receipt date and order deadline before the 14-day window closes.
• Back up important data and remove personal information.
• Disable activation lock and other loss- or theft-protection features.
• Include every cable, adapter, accessory and packaging component.
• Contact the carrier separately for a cellular product.
• Use one shipping label per box and retain the carrier scan.
• Keep the return receipt until the refund posts.

Apple's official return instructions

Which official Apple sources support this guide?

• Apple Returns & Refunds
• Apple U.S. Retail Sales Policies