iPhone Upgrade Plan - Can you upgrade online without needing to go to an Apple Store?

[tx2005]

So I've been on the iPhone Upgrade Plan for the 6s Plus and 7 Plus, and both times I needed to make an appointment at the Apple Store to get the credit check run and get everything set up.

I went to the Apple Store app today to check my upgrade status to see if I'm eligible for this year's line of phones, and it looks like there was an option to upgrade right there in the app. Does that mean that we no longer have to go to the Apple store to upgrade with the iPhone upgrade plan?

I'm hoping I can upgrade this year just by reserving online without having to worry about which Apple stores in my area have the specific phone I want in stock.

 

[Jdhommert]

I thought I read that you'll have to do it in stores to turn the old phone in.

Which sucks because it should be a easy seamless process and mainly AUP customers should be able to preorder at midnight without having to turn the phone in first.

I've never been on the program yet, so I'm hoping that I can preorder through the program at midnight

 

[lsara]

For iPhone Upgrade Program this year they are letting people order online and from what it seems they will ship you a box as well to ship your old device back in. No need to go to the store at all.

 

[youknownow]

in the US you don't need to go store from what i can gather, however, in the UK you still upgrade in store.

 

[mjb59463]

With AT&T, Verizon and Sprint, yes. You should be able to upgrade online if you are an existing IUP user.

With T-Mobile, no. You need to go into the store.

 

[andcool69]

With AT&T, Verizon and Sprint, yes. You should be able to upgrade online if you are an existing IUP user.

With T-Mobile, no. You need to go into the store.

First year with T-Mobile, why are they different? Guess I will be attempting to reserve for an in store pickup on launch day...

 

[mjb59463]

First year with T-Mobile, why are they different? Guess I will be attempting to reserve for an in store pickup on launch day...

As far as I know, for some reason, their activation systems are not compatible with the IUP process or Apple's system. As a result, Apple Store employees have to do it manually in store. It's entirely T-Mobile's fault, as Sprint/VZW/AT&T have no issue with Apple's process.

Some may have had a good experience with the "reserve for store pick up option" that you need to do if you are going with TMO on the IUP, however, the debacles I went through with Apple for the IUP on T-Mobile for the 6S and 7 were enough to make me switch over to AT&T.

 

[tx2005]

I'm happy we have the option to just have the phone shipped to us this year. Last year I had to stalk the inventory of the local Apple stores here (thankfully we have a number in our metro are) to find the specific model I wanted. Hopefully the online option is a little easier.

 

[andcool69]

As far as I know, for some reason, their activation systems are not compatible with the IUP process or Apple's system. As a result, Apple Store employees have to do it manually in store. It's entirely T-Mobile's fault, as Sprint/VZW/AT&T have no issue with Apple's process.

Some may have had a good experience with the "reserve for store pick up option" that you need to do if you are going with TMO on the IUP, however, the debacles I went through with Apple for the IUP on T-Mobile for the 6S and 7 were enough to make me switch over to AT&T.

We will see how it plays out this year. I'm not switching carriers because I am very happy with T-Mobile and honestly this would be my only complaint. Thanks for the info!