iPhone 16 Pro Max Apple Card payments requires activation fee?

[NovemberWhiskey]

I don’t remember this on my 14 pro max, but now they require me to select a carrier in order to order the 16 pro max using Apple Card monthly payment financing.

If I select Verizon, it says there is a one-time activation fee of $35. Is there any way around this? Can I just not activate it when the phone arrives, and use it on wifi?

Or is it like when the phone ships pre-activated with your number and you must activate it?

Thanks.

 

[AndrewR23]

I don’t remember this on my 14 pro max, but now they require me to select a carrier in order to order the 16 pro max using Apple Card monthly payment financing.

If I select Verizon, it says there is a one-time activation fee of $35. Is there any way around this? Can I just not activate it when the phone arrives, and use it on wifi?

Or is it like when the phone ships pre-activated with your number and you must activate it?

Thanks.

Before buying mine unlocked, I would call the carrier and get it waived every single year (ATT) Its a pain but a "activation" fee is a massive rip off that is pure profit for the carrier.

 

[calbear92]

first time buying unlocked iPhone from Apple. If I use it on my VZW line, will I be able to skip the $35 “activation” fee- which is a total $ grab.

 

[russell_314]

Of course this is a cash grab, but I don’t think there’s any way around it. Apple decided to make activation on one of the major carriers a requirement of any type of financing to include Apple Card. I’m sure there’s money behind that decision and that’s probably why Verizon has to charge you $35 to recoup some of the money they’re putting out.

 

[calbear92]

No financing on my end- you need to purchase out right to get unlocked iPhone from Apple.

 

[goobot]

I used to just swap the SIM cards before turning it on but as an American I’m no longer allowed to do that

 

[timeconsumer]

first time buying unlocked iPhone from Apple. If I use it on my VZW line, will I be able to skip the $35 “activation” fee- which is a total $ grab.

If you selected the “connect to any carrier later” option then no you won’t get charged that $35 fee by Verizon. I do this every year and haven’t been charged that activation fee yet…

 

[BugeyeSTI]

If you selected the “connect to any carrier later” option then no you won’t get charged that $35 fee by Verizon. I do this every year and haven’t been charged that activation fee yet…

This has been my experience with Verizon also.. The times I didn't buy outright I had to call CS and haggle with them to either get the fee reduced or removed completely. Sometimes I had to call multiple times going through several agents before getting anywhere. Some of them flat out refused to lower or remove the activation fee.. Buying outright with no carrier is the only way I'll purchase an iPhone anymore..

 

[4sallypat]

I used Apple Card with 24 month financing on my TMO phone # and there is no activation fee.