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Apple Letting Customers 'Get Ready' for iPhone 13 Launch With Pre-Order Setup

Keep trying to get the Unlocked iPhone 13 512GB...but whenever I enter my payment methods, I get the error, "County: Please enter fewer characters." Have tried to re-enter all payment info...even tried different cards. Anyone seen this before?
 
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albert421 said:
I am getting an error when trying to verify my t mobile account :(
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I am having the same issue trying to switch from ATT to T-mobile. Cannot verify a T-mobile account that I do not currently have now. Apple app fail. Oh well, I think I will just buy the unlocked version and set up later. Hopefully not too painful. Best of luck.
 
MacRumors said:


Following the announcement of the iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max, Apple is allowing customers to get ready for pre-orders, which are set to take place on Friday, September 17 at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time.

iphone-12-preorder-preparation.jpg

Existing and new iPhone Upgrade Program members can use the Apple Store app on the iPhone or Apple's website to go through all of the pre-approval steps to get ready to purchase a new iPhone, including checking upgrade eligibility, securing credit lines, and confirming other necessary information.

Those who are not members of the iPhone Upgrade Program can also select their preferred iPhone, confirm their status with their carrier, add accessories, choose an AppleCare+ plan, and add a preferred payment method to prepare for the iPhone launch. Both payment in full and other payment options are supported.

With this setup process, all customers who go through the "Get Ready" steps will be able to pre-order their devices with the tap of a button on launch day.

Apple has always had the pre-approval process for iPhone Upgrade Program customers, but the new streamlined pre-order preparation for other customers appears to be a new addition.

The iPhone 13 models are priced starting at $699, while the iPhone 13 Pro models are priced starting at $999. Pre-orders begin on Friday, September 17 at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time.

Article Link: Apple Letting Customers 'Get Ready' for iPhone 13 Launch With Pre-Order Setup
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So, if I am not a part of the Apple Upgrade programme but want to pre order using this programme and I want to "Get Ready for Pre-Order", how do I go about doing this? I don't see the option for this on the payment options?

(I'm in the UK)
 
I hate Apple. I have an 11 pro max & skipped the 12. I wasn’t sure I wanted the 13, but they made it sooo easy to pre-order the pre-order, I did it anyway. Ok - I’m exactly the consumer they aim at, and obviously it’s more love-hate than hate-hate, so bring on my new camera. I mean phone …
 
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For those of you worried about the "double charge" issue with the last payment - depending on when your billing cycle is it is really just "doubling up" for a period of a few days. My payments go through mid/late in the month so it's really just a matter of about a week or so. The new billing date will be set forward vs the old one so next year we'll be eligible sooner
 
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albert421 said:
I am getting an error when trying to verify my t mobile account :(
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Same here. I'm also with T-mobile and I've tried several times but it fails when attempting to verify my carrier. It says I need to verify my wireless number and try again.
 
albert421 said:
yep, that is the error I am seeing. Not sure what t-mobile is going to be able to do tho.
Let me know if you figure anything out haha. I am going to try again tomorrow. If it still doesn't work. I will get buy one with the connect to carrier later option.

edit: I lied, that is a different then mine. Mine just say cannot locate your account. Please double check the phone number
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Same here
 
WaterOz said:
Depends on how close to the store you are and how likely you are to be home when it's delivered. Apple requires a signature when the phone is delivered - almost messed me up last year, but I was able to track down the UPS truck and get it instead of having to wait longer. If you have a store nearby, in theory you should be able to set up a time to pick it up on Friday without having to make sure you catch your delivery driver. YMMV
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UPS did not ask for a signature for my phone last year, just dropped it on my porch and rang the doorbell. That might have been a side effect of COVID delivery processes though, and I do recall seeing something about shipping companies starting to enforce signatures again soon if not already.

I feel store pickup is the most reliable approach if there is one nearby. Last year the stores were closed so we didn't have a choice. If the UPS drivers aren't doing the signature thing yet then it could wind up anywhere.
 
rg69 said:
So, if I am not a part of the Apple Upgrade programme but want to pre order using this programme and I want to "Get Ready for Pre-Order", how do I go about doing this? I don't see the option for this on the payment options?

(I'm in the UK)
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Try going to the "For You" tab in the Apple Store app.
 
brgjoe said:
I guess I don't get this "pre-pre-order" thing.

Is it because you feel the color you want will sell out on launch day? For me, anyway, the pro series colors seem to be rather "meh". And I am disappointed no darker purple silicone case is available for the pro max as well. (I have the amethyst one on my current iPhone and wish they offered it on the 13).

None of the colors really grab me like the blue did last year. Think I will just wait and see which color combo of case/phone i will select this time around.
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My guess is this isn't about stock, it's about avoiding some of the network congestion caused by the release. If Apple can pre-authorize the upgrades or new service with the carriers, it is that much less traffic and opportunities for congestion and hiccups in the order flow.
 
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CosmoPilot said:
It’s genius actually.
1. Servers won’t get bogged down because less user time for actual pre-orders.
2. This allows customers to select the device they want without fighting others for bandwidth at 5am PST.
3. Most importantly, it gives Apple an idea which models are gonna be in higher demand and can adjust manufacturing prior to the “pre-order” date. This should help alleviate the sold out of certain models within 10 minutes of pre-orders. If the Blue models are being reserved like hot cakes, Apple can adjust manufacturing now to account for that (as opposed to determining that information on the pre-order date).
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THIS right here! Back when they did not let us set up our preorders early I remember being up at 3AM and my order wouldn't go through because I couldn't get past the carrier verification stage. So many people were slamming the server at the same time. Sometimes I didn't get to bed until 5AM because of this. I'm very thankful they're doing it this way now.
 
I tried to get this set up but Barclays declined my finance... So I spoke to my dad who has a perfect credit score and has never had a late or missed payment and doesn't currently have any loans or credit.... They declined him too!
 
Born2Run said:
I tried to get this set up but Barclays declined my finance... So I spoke to my dad who has a perfect credit score and has never had a late or missed payment and doesn't currently have any loans or credit.... They declined him too!
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Interesting. I used my Barclays which I have used ever since it was the “apple” card. it was accepted. I know there is enough balance on it to cover the cost of phone/loan and that I pay a fixed significant payment with them never missing did an auto payment with them to make sure I do not miss and that I pay far above minimum. Wonder if the balance was not high enough on either card??? Or is the card about expired. I just got new one short while ago with the chip and all and its good til 2026. Just random thoughts about why you had problem mine sales thru the preapproval and application for the loan for new phone no hitches.
 
I want to get things setup early like most of you. Apple does provide a military discount but I don't see a way yo apply it using the Apple Store app on my phone. I can go to the Apple veteran-military store on the web but can't set things up early to speed things up on Friday. Is there a way to set things up early and use the military discount that anyone knows of? Thanks.
 
Born2Run said:
I tried to get this set up but Barclays declined my finance... So I spoke to my dad who has a perfect credit score and has never had a late or missed payment and doesn't currently have any loans or credit.... They declined him too!
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And now probably no longer has perfect credit because of an inquiry.
 
mjschabow said:
And now probably no longer has perfect credit because of an inquiry.
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To this day, I still don't understand the logic of knocking you down for an inqiury. You can have a hundred inquiries, but if you don't accept the credit offer, why should it count against you?
 
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Anyone get a confirmation email or any communication for Citizens Bank after approval? I did the process last night via the app and I was approved but haven’t received any emails from Citizens.
 
rbf1138 said:
Anyone get a confirmation email or any communication for Citizens Bank after approval? I did the process last night via the app and I was approved but haven’t received any emails from Citizens.
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Me neither. I added the card to Apple Wallet, but its odd that there weren't any emails from the bank, not even a Welcome to Apple card email. I just got the Apple pre pre-order confirmation, and that's it.
 
Does Apple allocate more units to the carriers vs the “connect on your own later” option? Or is that a thing of the past?
 
newyorksole said:
I used to do iPhone Upgrade Program faithfully, but have switched to Apple Card monthly payments.

I actually also just completed the “pre-pre-order”. Pretty simple.
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I do the Upgrade Program and pay the monthly with my Apple Card.

I am curious why you stated it as one or the other…
 
AJ Mac25 said:
I am having the same issue trying to switch from ATT to T-mobile. Cannot verify a T-mobile account that I do not currently have now. Apple app fail. Oh well, I think I will just buy the unlocked version and set up later. Hopefully not too painful. Best of luck.
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I figured out what my issue is!
I don’t think it’s the same for you. But I am actually thankful this happened to me.
For some reason t mobile turned off my auto pay. And I have a overdue bill. With no communications from t mobile. If this didn’t happened. I would have probably have to pay late fee and get reported to credit agencies… lol
 
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