Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Pipper99

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Aug 14, 2010
3,822
3,771
Fort Worth, TX
I bought my 11 Pro max last year under the iUP on 1/4/20. When I check my upgrade status in the Apple Store app or on Apple's website, I see the message "Just a little longer before you can upgrade. You're not eligible for an upgrade yet because you enrolled in the iPhone Upgrade Program less than six months ago. But you'll be eligible for an early upgrade soon."

Obviously, I've been in the iUP longer than 6 months. I've made every payment (I've made extra payments, too, to get ready for the iPhone 12 upgrade). My wife has been in the iUP for the same amount of time as I have, but she shows that she is eligible for an early upgrade if she pays off the balance for the first year.

I spent a considerable amount of time on the phone with Apple, and I was escalated multiple times to different specialists. In the end, I was told that they can't do anything to change my upgrade status because I purchased the phone in a physical Apple Store rather than online. They stated that I would have to have the correction made in a physical store. Unfortunately, all of the stores in my area are closed due to COVID-19 with no reopening in sight.

Has anyone else had this issue? If so, what did you do to get it handled?
 
  • Sad
Reactions: compwiz1202

MisterSavage

macrumors 601
Nov 10, 2018
4,841
5,739
Wow, that's really strange. I wonder if the extra payments was something their system didn't account for people doing.
 

Obi-WannaDraw

Suspended
Sep 9, 2020
118
160
South, East and West of You
I bought my 11 Pro max last year under the iUP on 1/4/20. When I check my upgrade status in the Apple Store app or on Apple's website, I see the message "Just a little longer before you can upgrade. You're not eligible for an upgrade yet because you enrolled in the iPhone Upgrade Program less than six months ago. But you'll be eligible for an early upgrade soon."

Obviously, I've been in the iUP longer than 6 months. I've made every payment (I've made extra payments, too, to get ready for the iPhone 12 upgrade). My wife has been in the iUP for the same amount of time as I have, but she shows that she is eligible for an early upgrade if she pays off the balance for the first year.

I spent a considerable amount of time on the phone with Apple, and I was escalated multiple times to different specialists. In the end, I was told that they can't do anything to change my upgrade status because I purchased the phone in a physical Apple Store rather than online. They stated that I would have to have the correction made in a physical store. Unfortunately, all of the stores in my area are closed due to COVID-19 with no reopening in sight.

Has anyone else had this issue? If so, what did you do to get it handled?
Most likely because there is not a newer model to upgrade to yet, but I could be wrong. I’m guessing the day the site goes live after the announcement, it’ll probably allow it. You could call Citizens, if it’s the same loan bank I use during IUP and see if they show the amount of payments needed to upgrade are up to date.

My two local stores opened today. I’m in one of the ”hotspot” areas. So I’d keep checking and maybe they can help.
[automerge]1600888523[/automerge]
Wow, that's really strange. I wonder if the extra payments was something their system didn't account for people doing.
I didn’t think of this, good call. They may just have to update their system.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MisterSavage

MisterSavage

macrumors 601
Nov 10, 2018
4,841
5,739
Most likely because there is not a newer model to upgrade to yet, but I could be wrong.

I actually got an email on August 19 with the subject "You’re eligible to upgrade to a new iPhone today." from the program. I thought that was really odd because it had only been 11 months since I got my 11 Pro.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Obi-WannaDraw

Obi-WannaDraw

Suspended
Sep 9, 2020
118
160
South, East and West of You
I actually got an email on August 19 with the subject "You’re eligible to upgrade to a new iPhone today." from the program. I thought that was really odd because it had only been 11 months since I got my 11 Pro.
That is kinda crazy. Hopefully OP gets one. I usually get on the program to have payments and AppleCare bundled in payments till I’m ready to pay it off. Then I sell outright or trade when setting up new IUP again. So it won’t let me check.
 

blaine07

macrumors 68020
Nov 14, 2014
2,498
2,454
Oklahoma
I actually got an email on August 19 with the subject "You’re eligible to upgrade to a new iPhone today." from the program. I thought that was really odd because it had only been 11 months since I got my 11 Pro.

Weird on 19th I got same email and hadn’t been “in the club” a full 12 months either.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MisterSavage

siurpeeman

macrumors 603
Dec 2, 2006
6,321
24
the OC
I actually got an email on August 19 with the subject "You’re eligible to upgrade to a new iPhone today." from the program. I thought that was really odd because it had only been 11 months since I got my 11 Pro.

it's because you make your first payment on day 1 (0 months into the agreement), so the 12th payment happens on the 11th month.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MisterSavage

Pipper99

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Aug 14, 2010
3,822
3,771
Fort Worth, TX
Once you’ve been in the program for 6 months, you’re eligible for an early upgrade if you pay off the balance for the first year. You could, for example, upgrade from an 11 to an 11 Pro if you wanted.

My wife’s eligibility shows correctly on her status page, and we’ve been in the iup the same amount of time. Last year, I made extra payments on my XS Max so that I’d be ready for the 11.

oh well, I hope our stores open so that I can get this straightened out (or Apple magically gets it fixed in time). I don’t want headaches during preorder. 😃
 

MisterSavage

macrumors 601
Nov 10, 2018
4,841
5,739
Once you’ve been in the program for 6 months, you’re eligible for an early upgrade if you pay off the balance for the first year. You could, for example, upgrade from an 11 to an 11 Pro if you wanted.

Yep, but I would think most people would just pay the penalty at the time they upgrade. That's just a guess though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: compwiz1202

compwiz1202

macrumors 604
May 20, 2010
7,389
5,746
Yep, but I would think most people would just pay the penalty at the time they upgrade. That's just a guess though.
I thought that was the only way like with carrier installments. They don't let you make payments unless you are either paying up to trade in or paying off the entire plan.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.