Returns & Refunds - Shopping Help - Education - Apple

Returns & Refunds - Shopping Help - Education - Apple Apple Store Mac iPad iPhone Watch Vision AirPods TV & Home Entertainment Accessories Support 0+ Shopping Help Local Nav Open Menu Local Nav Close Menu iPhone Your Account Payment & Pricing Returns & Refunds Shipping & Pickup Viewing & Changing Orders Shopping Experience Online Exclusives Policies Apple Software Questions & Answers Gifting Apple Recycling Program View all topics Returns & Refunds

Apple wants you to be thrilled with your new purchase. However, if you need to return an item, we're here to help.

Choose a topic:

U.S. Returns & Refunds Policy How to Return an Item Refunds Gift Returns Additional Information U.S. Returns & Refunds Policy Standard Return Policy

There are a few important things to keep in mind when returning a product you purchased online from Apple:

You have 14 calendar days to return an item from the date you received it. Only items that have been purchased directly from Apple, either online or at an Apple Retail Store, can be returned to Apple. Apple products purchased through other retailers must be returned in accordance with their respective returns and refunds policy. Please ensure that the item you're returning is repackaged with all the cords, adapters and documentation that were included when you received it.

There are some items, however, that are ineligible for return, including:

Opened software* Electronic Software Downloads Software Up-to-Date Program Products (software upgrades) Apple Gift Cards (includes previous generation Apple Store Gift Cards and App Store & iTunes Gift Cards) Apple Developer products (membership, technical support incidents, WWDC tickets)

*You can return software, provided that it has not been installed on any computer. Software that contains a printed software license may not be returned if the seal or sticker on the software media packaging is broken.

iPhone and iPad Returns — Wireless Service Cancellation

Wireless carriers have different service-cancellation policies. Returning your iPhone or iPad may not automatically cancel or reset your wireless account; you are responsible for your wireless service agreement and for any applicable fees associated with your wireless account. Please contact your provider for more information.

How to Return an Item Ship your item back to Apple

To return an item to Apple, sign in to your Order Listing page with your Apple Account and password.

After you sign in, you will see the items from your recent orders. Select an item to go to the order details page. From there, use the Start a Return link below your item and then click the Get Started button. On the next page, confirm the items from your order that you’d like to return and select the Initiate Your Return button.

Next, read the instructions and select the Print Return Label button to print your shipping and any required hazmat labels. If you’re shipping multiple boxes, use the Print Return Label button again to print new labels for each box. We recommend using the original packaging if you are returning a computer.

You can either schedule a pickup with the carrier or drop off the package at any of the carrier’s locations.

Puerto Rico:

Additional steps are required when shipping an item over $2,500 from Puerto Rico to the continental United States:

Locate the commodity code of your item at http://apple.zhutiblog.com/com/legal/more-resources/gtc.html. Visit https://ace.cbp.dhs.gov to file an Export Declaration. Follow the aforementioned instructions to initiate your return. Bring your item to an Apple Store

You can always return the item to any U.S. Apple Store. An Apple Specialist will assist you with your return. Your refund will be processed at that time. To locate an Apple Store in your area, please refer to the Apple Retail Store Locator. Please contact your Business Team to initiate a return for orders shipped directly to your business.

Refunds

Once we receive your item, a refund is initiated immediately. If you canceled a pickup item, and you were billed for it, we initiate your refund immediately after you submit your cancellation request. The way your refund is processed depends on your original payment method:

If you paid by credit or debit card, refunds will be sent to the card-issuing bank within five business days of receipt of the returned item or cancellation request. Please contact the card-issuing bank with questions about when the credit will be posted to your account. Refunds on products purchased from Apple using an Apple Gift Card (or previous generations of Apple gift cards) will be issued to you as an Apple Gift Card by email. If you’d like us to send you a physical Apple Gift Card by mail, ask the representative helping you. Products paid for using your Apple Account Balance will be refunded to your Apple Account Balance. If you paid for any portion of an item with your Apple Account balance, and are owed a refund for returning or cancelling it, we issue that portion of refund back to your Apple Account balance. However, we will issue this refund amount on an Apple Gift Card by email if your Apple Account balance is at or near the maximum limit. Exchange an item

If you purchased your item from Apple in the U.S., you can take it to any U.S. Apple Store for an exchange. Item exchanges are, of course, subject to in-store product availability. It's a good idea to check if a product is in stock by visiting apple.com and then seeing if it's available for pickup at a store nearby. The only exchange exceptions are personalized items (such as engraved iPad or AirPods) and Macs that have been custom-configured. These items cannot be exchanged in store; they can only be returned and your refund will be issued to the payment method you used on your order (per the guidelines in our Standard Return Policy).

Items ordered online from Apple that arrived damaged or are incorrect can be returned to any U.S. Apple Store, or by contacting Customer Service at 1-800-676-2775.

Gift Returns Return a gift

Visit the Gift Returns page and follow the instructions. You’ll need to provide your product serial number or order number. If you use the order number, you’ll also need to provide the UPC number on the product packaging. You can review items eligible for return at this time.

Note: You can only return items from one order at a time.

Provide your contact information and select Continue to submit your return.

On the next page, you’ll see instructions for how to complete your return. Use the Print Return Label button and attach your pre-paid shipping label and any hazmat labels to the outside of your shipping box. Then send your item back to Apple by scheduling a pickup with the shipping carrier or dropping off the package at any of the carrier’s locations. We’ll let you know when we receive the item.

If you need help with your gift return, please call an Apple Specialist at 1‑800‑MY‑APPLE. You can also return eligible items to an Apple Store.

Gift refunds

Once we receive your items, we'll email your refund in the form of an electronic Apple Gift Card.

Apple Gift Cards can be used to purchase products and accessories, as well as apps, games, music, movies, TV shows, iCloud, and more. Apple Gift Cards can be used on apple.com, in the Apple Store app, by phone, or in person at the Apple Store. Apple Gift Cards can only be used in the country where they were purchased.

For more information about Apple Gift Cards and how to redeem them, as well as how to redeem previous generations of Apple gift cards, visit the Payments & Pricing page.

Additional Information

For more information, please read the U.S. Apple Sales and Refunds Policy.

Footer footnotes Apple Help Returns & Refunds Shop and Learn Shop and Learn + Store Mac iPad iPhone Watch Vision AirPods TV & Home AirTag Accessories Gift Cards Apple Wallet Apple Wallet + Wallet Apple Card Apple Pay Apple Cash Account Account + Manage Your Apple Account Apple Store Account iCloud.com Entertainment Entertainment + Apple One Apple TV Apple Music Apple Arcade Apple Fitness+ Apple News+ Apple Podcasts Apple Books App Store Apple Store Apple Store + Find a Store Genius Bar Today at Apple Apple Camp Apple Store App Certified Refurbished Apple Trade In Carrier Deals at Apple Order Status Shopping Help For Business For Business + Apple and Business Shop for Business For Education For Education + Apple and Education Shop for K-12 Shop for College For Healthcare For Healthcare + Apple in Healthcare Health on Apple Watch Health Records on iPhone For Government For Government + Shop for Government Shop for Veterans and Military Apple Values Apple Values + Accessibility Education Environment Inclusion and Diversity Privacy Racial Equity and Justice Supply Chain About Apple About Apple + Newsroom Apple Leadership Career Opportunities Investors Ethics & Compliance Events Contact Apple More ways to shop: Find an Apple Store or other retailer near you. Or call 1‑800‑MY‑APPLE.

United States Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy Terms of Use Sales and Refunds Site Map SALES & REFUND TERMS AND CONDITIONS (“TERMS”) U.S. Store for Education

Thanks for shopping at Apple. We appreciate the fact that you like to buy the cool stuff we build. We also want to make sure you have a rewarding experience while you’re exploring, evaluating, and purchasing our products, whether you’re at the Apple Online Store for Education, in an Apple Retail Store, or on the phone with the Apple Contact Center. (To make it visually easier on both of us, we’ll refer to these entities as the “Apple Store” in this policy.)

As with any shopping experience, there are terms and conditions that apply to transactions at an Apple Store. We’ll be as brief as our attorneys will allow. The main thing to remember is that by placing an order or making a purchase at an Apple Store, you agree to the terms set forth below along with Apple’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Eligibility

Those eligible to purchase from the Apple Store for Education Individuals include faculty, staff, students and parents as follows:

K12 - Any employee of a public or private K-12 institution in the United States is eligible, including homeschool teachers. In addition, school board members who are currently serving as elected or appointed members are eligible. PTA or PTO executives currently serving as elected or appointed officers are eligible.

Higher Education - Faculty and staff of Higher Education institutions in the United States; and students attending, or accepted into a Higher Education institution in the United States are eligible to purchase. Purchases from the Apple Store for Education Individuals are not for institutional purchase or resale.

Higher Education Parents - Parents purchasing on behalf of their child, who is a student currently attending or accepted into a public or private Higher Education Institution in the United States, are eligible to purchase.

Purchase Quantity

Those eligible to purchase from the Apple Store for Education will be allowed to purchase the following quantities of products per year. Not all products have special Education Pricing.

Desktop: One (1) may be purchased per year Mac mini: One (1) may be purchased per year Notebook: One (1) may be purchased per year iPad: Two (2) may be purchased per year Accessories: Two (2) accessories with Education Pricing may be purchased per year

** The above purchases can be made either online, in an Apple Retail Store, or through an Authorized Campus Reseller. Total product quantities remain the same regardless of where your purchase is made.

Returns

We fundamentally believe you will be thrilled with the products you purchase from the Apple Store. That’s because we go out of our way to ensure that they’re designed and built to be just what you need. We understand, however, that sometimes a product may not be what you expected it to be. In that unlikely event, we invite you to review the following terms related to returning a product.

For iPhone returns, you may return your undamaged iPhone with its included accessories within 14 days of purchase for a full refund. Here’s the important part: returning your iPhone may not automatically cancel or reset your wireless account; you are responsible for your wireless service agreement and for any applicable fees associated with your wireless account. Please contact your provider for more information.

For any other undamaged product, simply return it with the original receipt (or gift receipt) and original packaging within 14 days of the date you receive the product. If the item is returned within this timeframe, we’ll exchange it or offer a refund based upon the original payment method. For returns to an Apple Retail Store for cash, cash equivalent, and check transactions over $250, Apple will mail a refund check to you within 10 business days. Please note the following:

Products can be returned only in the country or region in which they were originally purchased. The following products are not eligible for return: electronic software downloads, subscriptions to the Software-Up-To-Date program, Apple Store Gift Cards, and any Apple Developer Connection products. In the case of items returned with a gift receipt, Apple will offer you an Apple Store Gift Card equal to the purchase price of the gift, including tax and any other fees. Apple provides security features to enable you to protect your product in case of loss or theft. If you do not disable these features prior to returning your device, Apple may refuse the return or exchange. Opened software cannot be returned if it contained a seal with the software license on the outside of the package and you could read the software license before opening its packaging. As an exception, you may return Apple-branded software if you do not agree to the licensing terms; however, you may not retain or otherwise use any copies of returned software. It’s not legal . . . and it’s not nice.

For complete details on how to return a product purchased at the Apple Store please visit the Returns & Refunds page.

iPhone Purchase

The purchase and use of an iPhone is subject to terms and conditions found at: http://apple.zhutiblog.com/com/legal/sla/ and http://apple.zhutiblog.com/com/legal/warranty/. In addition, by purchasing an iPhone, you expressly acknowledge that:

A wireless service plan is required to activate all iPhone features. Making unauthorized modifications to the software on an iPhone violates the iPhone software license agreement. The common term for modifying an iPhone is jail-breaking, with a particular emphasis on the second part of that term. That’s why we strongly, almost emphatically, recommend that you do not do so. Really. Should you be unable to use your iPhone due to an unauthorized software modification, its repair will not be covered under the warranty. Apple may, in its sole discretion, refuse or cancel any order and limit order quantity. Apple may require additional qualifying information prior to accepting or processing any order. Wireless Services

Some Apple products utilize wireless services that may incur extra costs and are governed by the terms of a separate agreement between you and your selected wireless service provider.

Pricing and Price Reductions/Corrections

With regards to pricing, Apple reserves the right to change prices for products displayed at/on the Apple Store at any time, and to correct pricing errors that may inadvertently occur. Additional information about pricing and sales tax is available on the Payment & Pricing page.

If Apple reduces the price of any Apple-branded product within 14 calendar days of the date you received your product, please feel free to contact the Apple Care Center at 800 393 399 and a Specialist will check if you are eligible to receive an Apple Store Gift Card for the amount of the price difference. To receive the gift card, you must contact Apple within 14 calendar days of the price change.

Prices shown are in U.S. dollars. If you are paying for your order with an international Visa, MasterCard, or American Express credit card, please note that the purchase price may fluctuate with exchange rates. In addition, your bank or credit card issuer may also charge you foreign conversion charges and fees, which may also increase the overall cost of your purchase. Please contact your bank or credit card issuer regarding these fees.

Order Acceptance/Confirmation For Online and Call Center Purchases

Once we receive your order, we’ll provide you with an email order confirmation. Your receipt of an order confirmation, however, does not signify Apple’s acceptance of your order, nor does it constitute confirmation of our offer to sell; we are simply confirming that we received your order. The Apple Store reserves the right at any time after receiving your order to accept or decline your order for any reason. If Apple cancels an order after you have already been billed, Apple will refund the billed amount.

Shipping & Delivery

Please review the Shipping & Pickup page to learn about how and when you will receive the products you purchased from the Apple Store. Since the actual delivery of your order can be impacted by many events beyond Apple’s control once it leaves our facilities, Apple cannot be held liable for late deliveries. We will, however, work with you to ensure a smooth delivery.

As Apple takes care of the dispatch of the products you purchase on the Apple Store, the risk of loss of, or damage to, product(s) shall pass to you when you, or a person designated by you, acquires physical possession of the product(s). Title in the product(s) shall pass to you when the product(s) is picked up by the carrier from our warehouse. At this point, you will receive the Shipment Notification Email. If there are any issues with delivery, please contact Apple to resolve. 

In-Store Pickup and Return

Apple offers in-store pickup for many of the items available on the Online Store. Certain products and payment methods, however, may not qualify for in-store pickup. Only you or the person designated by you may pick up the item(s) purchased. A government-issued photo ID and order number will be required for pickup. Apple will notify you when your order is ready and the date by which you need to pick up your items. We’ll also send you reminder or two, just in case it slips your mind. If you don’t pick up your order, Apple may cancel it. Please visit http://apple.com/us/shop/browse/home/personal_pickup for complete details about in-store pickup.

Pickup Contact

If you select in-store pickup, you may designate a third party to pick up your order. You must provide the name and email address of the third party. Please note that certain products and payment methods are not eligible for in-store pickup by a third party. The third party will need to bring a government issued photo ID and order number for pickup. Apple is not responsible for actions taken by the third party once your item(s) have been picked up.

Consumers Only

The Apple Store sells and ships products to end-user customers only. You may not purchase products at the Apple Store for resale, and we reserve the right to refuse or cancel your order if we suspect you are doing so. And we’re pretty good at figuring that out . . .

U.S. Shipping Only Products purchased online from Apple will only be shipped to addresses within the U.S. and are subject to U.S. and foreign export control laws and regulations. Products must be purchased, sold, exported, re-exported, transferred, and used in compliance with these export laws and regulations. To purchase Apple products online from outside of the U.S., please click here for international store information.

Product Availability and Limitations

Given the popularity and/or supply constraints of some of our products, Apple may have to limit the number of products available for purchase. Trust us, we’re building them as fast as we can. Apple reserves the right to change quantities available for purchase at any time, even after you place an order. Furthermore, there may be occasions when Apple confirms your order but subsequently learns that it cannot supply the ordered product. In the event we cannot supply a product you ordered, Apple will cancel the order and refund your purchase price in full.

Express Checkout

The Payment & Pricing page describes the various methods you can use to pay for products at the Apple Store. The Apple Online Store also allows you to pay via Express Checkout. By activating and using Express Checkout, you agree to all of the terms set forth in this Sales Policy. Please note that if you use a public computer or otherwise share a computer with other users, you should turn off Express Checkout when you leave the computer. Or you may end up buying far more than you expected.

Gift Cards

Apple Store Gift Cards are issued and managed by Apple Value Services, LLC and can be applied only to purchases from an Apple Retail Store, the Apple Online Store, or the Apple Contact Center in the U.S. Gift Cards may not be redeemed at the iTunes or Mac Apps Store, at any Apple resellers, for cash (except as required by law), or for shipments outside the U.S. Neither the issuer nor Apple is responsible for any lost or stolen gift cards or use without your permission. Keep them close; they’re valuable and can be redeemed by whoever finds them.

Additional payment will be required if the purchase price of your new Apple product exceeds the value of the Gift Card. Seems obvious, but we wanted to be sure you knew. Gift Cards are also not for resale. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Gift Card terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Use of a Gift Card is governed by the laws of the State of Virginia. To check the available balance on a Gift Card, call 888-320-3301.

Audit Rights

Apple routinely audits the purchases of customers at the Apple Store for Education to ensure that all purchase conditions have been observed. Should we discover that you have not observed all of the conditions applicable to your purchase, you authorize Apple:

If you placed your order by credit card, to charge to your credit card the difference between the amount you paid for the delivered goods and the price that Apple charged the general public for the same goods at the Apple Store, in effect on the date that you placed your order; and If you paid by a means other than credit card, to (a) invoice you for the difference between the amount that you paid for the delivered goods and the price that Apple charged the general public for the same goods at the Apple Store, payable in fifteen days from the date of the invoice, and (b), should you fail to pay the invoice when due, institute legal action against you in a court of competent jurisdiction, with the prevailing party entitled to attorneys' fees. Should Apple not offer to the general public the specific products that you purchased at the Apple Store for Education, your credit card will be charged or you will be invoiced the difference between the amount you paid for the delivered goods and the price that Apple charged the general public for the closest equivalent goods at the Apple Store, in effect on the date that you placed your order.