Apple Offers Free Two-Hour Delivery for Last-Minute Holiday Shopping

[MacRumors]

Apple has started offering free two-hour delivery on eligible, in-stock products for those who still need to do some last-minute gift shopping. The two-hour delivery upgrade is available through December 24 in most metro areas of the U.S. and Canada. Three-hour delivery is also available in Australia.

Two-hour delivery is provided through courier companies that Apple partners with, like Uber Eats or Postmates, and it typically costs $9. Items are delivered from a local Apple retail store, so whatever you're ordering needs to be in stock at a nearby location.

The offer is available for in-stock purchases of iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods, Apple TV, and Beats headphones. It is not available for custom Macs or engraved orders, nor is it applicable to accessories. Some accessories and products are also still available for December 24th delivery with express shipping.

Apple is still providing an extended return policy, so items purchased now can be returned through January 6, 2026.

Article Link: Apple Offers Free Two-Hour Delivery for Last-Minute Holiday Shopping

 

[turbineseaplane]

Does this still carry some risk?

I feel like people have reported couriers sniping their packages before.

 

[joshwithachance]

Yeah… I’m not having a $1000+ Apple product be delivered by Uber Eats. Sorry, not sorry.

 

[t0rqx]

Does this still carry some risk?

I feel like people have reported couriers sniping their packages before.

It does and Apple does not care as they already cashed in. In the UK same story where people get their iPhone delivered in a sealed box only to find out there is no phone.

 

[turbineseaplane]

It does and Apple does not care as they already cashed in. In the UK same story where people get their iPhone delivered in a sealed box only to find out there is no phone.

Well .. I'm out in that case. 😞

 

[grammatica]

Don't use this option. There are many complaints of the couriers stealing the purchase. Apple uses a contractor (Uber Eats or DoorDash) to deliver. You might as well use Uber to go to the store.

 

[BBCWatcher]

Yeah… I’m not having a $1000+ Apple product be delivered by Uber Eats.

Food that you put inside your body is OK, but a sealed Apple box is where you draw the line?🤔

By the way, January 6, 2026, is 14 days after December 23, 2025. Apple’s “extended” return window will very soon be moot at least in the U.S.

 

[joshwithachance]

Food that you put inside your body is OK, but a sealed Apple box is where you draw the line?🤔

By the way, January 6, 2026, is 14 days after December 23, 2025. Apple’s “extended” return window will very soon be moot at least in the U.S.

A gig worker who doesn't really care about their job is much more likely to steal an Apple purchase than a $20 meal. An issue that has been reported quite a bit over the past couple years.

 

[danny842003]

It does and Apple does not care as they already cashed in. In the UK same story where people get their iPhone delivered in a sealed box only to find out there is no phone.

I would love to see some evidence that Apple don’t care.
Apple may put the liability on Uber or whoever (why wouldn’t they?) but you still haven’t received the service you paid for.

 

[danny842003]

A gig worker is much more likely to steal an Apple purchase than a $20 meal. An issue that has been reported quite a bit over the past couple years.

Most couriers are using gig workers at this time of year.

 

[Jetscreamer]

If you choose this option, you just might get an actual brick in your iPhone box. They do not vet any of these workers, despite what Uber, DoorDash or Postmate claim. Is just too tempting for a driver not to keep your MacBook Pro for himself. But who knows, you might get lucky, and your driver is honest.

 

[svish]

Good to know. Personally I would not use the 2 hour delivery service if the delivery is through Uber Eats or its equivalents. Not sure on how secure the item will be.

 

[Slo Pesci]

Does this still carry some risk?

I feel like people have reported couriers sniping their packages before.

Yes. In Canada they deliver (or did last year) with Uber Eats. They stole 2 Macbooks from me. Apple told me to pound sand. Had to file a chargeback which Apple fought. In the end Visa sided with me.

 

[BBCWatcher]

A gig worker is much more likely to steal an Apple purchase than a $20 meal. An issue that has been reported quite a bit over the past couple years.

Yeah, OK. In the unlikely event that happens, contact Apple promptly and file a dispute with your credit card company. If you want, record a video when you open the package. And shop earlier next year.🤷

 

[t0rqx]

I would love to see some evidence that Apple don’t care.
Apple may put the liability on Uber or whoever (why wouldn’t they?) but you still haven’t received the service you paid for.

See the threads where people called Apple and got a NO for an answer.

 

[danny842003]

See the threads where people called Apple and got a NO for an answer.

I’m not sure half a story on a thread on here that doesn’t get updated with the solution counts as evidence.
I don’t know about the US maybe consumer laws are different but there’s no way in my country this ends with Apple washed their hands of it and the customer was down 1k.