England COVID lockdown blocks iPhone Upgrade Program
Under Apple's UK financial agreements, new and returning members of the iPhone Upgrade Program must go to an Apple Store -- and all ones in England are now closed because of the new coronavirus lockdown.
Apple Regent Street, London
Despite previous reports that UK Apple Stores might remain open in a limited capacity during the country's new coronavirus lockdown, all of the stores in England closed today as the new lockdown began.
Stores in Scotland, and Wales, remain open with the same coronavirus precautions as before. Apple Stores in England are now announcing that they will reopen for click-and-collect, "including returns," from November 6.
However, it is confirmed that the version of the iPhone Upgrade Program in England is temporarily unavailable and will remain so until Stores in the region reopen.
This is because while the UK's iPhone Upgrade Program operates in the same way as the US one, it has different financial conditions. Users must physically go to a store to have a credit check done, whether as they join the program, or at each point when they are eligible to upgrade, and choose to do so.
Consequently while US customers have already been able to apply for pre-approval on the program in advance of the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max pre-orders on November 6, UK customers have not. For the time being, therefore, no UK can get the iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 12 Pro Max on the iPhone Upgrade Program.
An Apple customer email seen by AppleInsider says that the program is now delayed. "In the UK, the iPhone Upgrade Programme is only available from an Apple Store," it says. "Unfortunately, due to the new government restrictions, we cannot currently operate a full service in England and are therefore unable to invite you to the store at this time to upgrade your iPhone."
The email is presumed to have been sent to customers already on the program and based in England. It continues with a suggestion that, "if you would like to know more about your options for upgrading, please contact 0800 048 0408 where our teams will gladly assist you."
However, while that implies that alternative arrangements may be possible, they are not. That UK toll-free telephone number reaches an automated system that explains going to a store, with Government-issued ID, is mandatory.
"And of course, if you would rather wait until the restrictions are lifted," concludes the email, "we would be delighted to help you with the upgrade in our stores then."
Customers in England can't get the new iPhones, or any iPhones, on the Upgrade Program until the lockdown is over
The same situation will have applied during the country's original lockdown period, which began in March 2020. However, it's likely that the majority of people on the program are on it in order to upgrade as each new iPhone is released.
Consequently, a November lockdown following the iPhone 12 launch is much more significant.
England's new lockdown began today, November 5, and is expected to continue until December 2. In Wales, a separate lockdown is due to conclude on November 9.
Scotland does not have a lockdown, though one may be introduced shortly. Currently, Apple Stores in Scotland are showing as being open for online order pickup, and users can book appointments with sales staff or Genius Bar.
Apple Regent Street, London
Despite previous reports that UK Apple Stores might remain open in a limited capacity during the country's new coronavirus lockdown, all of the stores in England closed today as the new lockdown began.
Stores in Scotland, and Wales, remain open with the same coronavirus precautions as before. Apple Stores in England are now announcing that they will reopen for click-and-collect, "including returns," from November 6.
However, it is confirmed that the version of the iPhone Upgrade Program in England is temporarily unavailable and will remain so until Stores in the region reopen.
This is because while the UK's iPhone Upgrade Program operates in the same way as the US one, it has different financial conditions. Users must physically go to a store to have a credit check done, whether as they join the program, or at each point when they are eligible to upgrade, and choose to do so.
Consequently while US customers have already been able to apply for pre-approval on the program in advance of the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max pre-orders on November 6, UK customers have not. For the time being, therefore, no UK can get the iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 12 Pro Max on the iPhone Upgrade Program.
An Apple customer email seen by AppleInsider says that the program is now delayed. "In the UK, the iPhone Upgrade Programme is only available from an Apple Store," it says. "Unfortunately, due to the new government restrictions, we cannot currently operate a full service in England and are therefore unable to invite you to the store at this time to upgrade your iPhone."
The email is presumed to have been sent to customers already on the program and based in England. It continues with a suggestion that, "if you would like to know more about your options for upgrading, please contact 0800 048 0408 where our teams will gladly assist you."
However, while that implies that alternative arrangements may be possible, they are not. That UK toll-free telephone number reaches an automated system that explains going to a store, with Government-issued ID, is mandatory.
"And of course, if you would rather wait until the restrictions are lifted," concludes the email, "we would be delighted to help you with the upgrade in our stores then."
Customers in England can't get the new iPhones, or any iPhones, on the Upgrade Program until the lockdown is over
The same situation will have applied during the country's original lockdown period, which began in March 2020. However, it's likely that the majority of people on the program are on it in order to upgrade as each new iPhone is released.
Consequently, a November lockdown following the iPhone 12 launch is much more significant.
England's new lockdown began today, November 5, and is expected to continue until December 2. In Wales, a separate lockdown is due to conclude on November 9.
Scotland does not have a lockdown, though one may be introduced shortly. Currently, Apple Stores in Scotland are showing as being open for online order pickup, and users can book appointments with sales staff or Genius Bar.
Comments
I'm sure this isn't an insurmountable problem.
I've been a member of the iPhone Upgrade Programme in the UK since it started and this year I was able to get pre-approved for the first time and didn't need to go in store for a credit check - I just had the new iPhone mailed to me. I didn't have to return my old iPhone as I was at the end of my 2 year finance deal.
Now that @justdiego mentioned that I might have signed up for a 24 month loan and not a renewal of the iPhone upgrade programme, I think he's right. I've checked back through all my emails and whilst I thought I was renewing the iPhone upgrade programme I've actually just taken our a 24 month loan. In practical terms there is no cost difference BUT it does mean I won't be able to upgrade my iPhone next year as easily which is super annoying. The fact that these two 'loans' exist side-by-side and are identical financial but not in terms of the experience is really confusing! It was never made clear to me that I wasn't signing up to the iPhone upgrade programme either so a big fail on Apple's behalf I think.
Seriously, its just a phone man
not the end of the world. No big deal.
I thought this statement at the beginning of the article was pretty clear:
Presumably, the relevant UK authorities thinks a requirement to show up in person is safer for the consumer than being able to do it through the mail. They might be right, however inconvenient it is.
As I think we all know, iPhone Upgrade Programme is suspended in the UK during lockdown due to it being in the policy that the person applying for credit needs to be physically present to apply.
So we need to wait until the lockdown ends. When it does end, Apple will compensate people for the initial downpayment you would normally make when applying for an upgrade – £69.
In order to get this, you have to upgrade within the first 8 weeks of the stores reopening.