Apple Dropped Plan to Ship Leased iPhones Already Set Up for Users
Apple decided not to implement a plan that would ship leased iPhones already set up with a customer's data. The Apple Upgrade leasing program, launched on July 28, allows users to lease devices for 12‑36 months and choose to return, purchase, or upgrade at the end of the term. Privacy concerns, rather than technical challenges, led Apple to abandon the pre‑loaded device concept.
- ▪Apple considered a "white‑glove" option to deliver leased iPhones pre‑loaded from iCloud backups, but it never left the planning stage.
- ▪The Apple Upgrade program launched in the U.S. on July 28, replacing the previous iPhone Upgrade Program and iPhone Payments.
- ▪Leases for iPhones and Apple Watches run 12 or 24 months, while Macs and iPads are offered for 24 or 36 months.
- ▪Apple dropped the pre‑loaded device idea likely due to concerns that users would find it unsettling and question data security.
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| Original publisher | MacRumors |
| Canonical URL | https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/10/apple-scrapped-plan-ship-iphones-set-up-for-you/ |
| Publication time | Mon, 10 Aug 2026 02:30:40 PDT |
| Retrieval time | 2026-08-10T09:35:41.877Z |
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Apple Dropped Plan to Ship Leased iPhones Already Set Up for UsersMonday August 10, 2026 2:30 am PDT by Tim HardwickApple considered a so-called "white-glove" element for its Apple Upgrade leasing program that would have delivered each new replacement device already loaded with the customer's data, but the idea never made it out of planning, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple Upgrade launched in the U.S. on July 28, replacing the iPhone Upgrade Program and iPhone Payments. The plan lets customers lease an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch rather than buy one outright or pay in installments. iPhone and Apple Watch leases run 12 or 24 months, while Mac and iPad terms are 24 or 36 months.
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