TL;DR

If you’re stuck in the Apple Upgrade Program and want to stay unlocked on an MVNO carrier, you have two main paths:

1. Keep Things As Is: Switch to a major carrier to continue with the Apple Upgrade Program and trade your phone back to Apple.

2. Change Things Up: Pay off your loan and then:
 — Sell or trade in your iPhone separately, either to Apple, through a service like Swappa, or to your carrier like Visible.
 — Figure out your new financing plan, either by buying your new iPhone in full (with or without the Apple Card) or using installment services like Affirm.

Remember to consider insurance options for your new purchase in either scenario.

The Journey Begins

The Apple Upgrade Program seems like a sweet deal, right? New iPhone every year, no strings attached. But let me tell you, it can get a bit tricky, especially when you decide to play musical chairs with your carriers.

My Handy Checklist

If you’re thinking about a similar move, here are a few things you might want to consider:
1. Know your carrier and how they play ball with Apple.
2. Get the lowdown on Apple’s financial policies for upgrades.
3. Figure out if you need to say goodbye to your current Apple Upgrade Program.
4. Weigh the pros and cons of buying your new iPhone outright or on installments.
5. Look into other ways to finance your purchase, like using your Apple Card.

My Story

So, here’s how it went down for me. I started with Verizon, then hopped onto the Apple Upgrade Program for my shiny iPhone 14 Pro. Wanting a bit more freedom, I switched to Verizon’s MVNO, Visible. But when I tried to upgrade to the iPhone 15 Max, things got a bit complicated.

What Apple Support Had to Say

I reached out to Apple Support, and they told me that due to some recent policy changes after August 15th, I’d need to be with one of their partner carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon) to buy the iPhone on monthly installments. This was a bit of a curveball because my current financing is based on a loan, not the Apple Card. But here’s the kicker: I could still finance other Apple products, like my MacBook, with my Apple Card. So, that’s why I was able to finance my MacBook but hit a roadblock with the iPhone.

My Burning Questions

So, I was left with a few questions:
1. What happens if I end my Apple Upgrade Program? Do I have to pay off any balance?
2. If I do end the program, do I get to keep my iPhone 14 Pro and maybe trade or sell it?
3. Could I use my Apple Card’s credit line to buy the iPhone 15 Max outright and still get that sweet 3% cash back?

Apple Support suggested I chat with the Apple Sales Team for more detailed answers. But here’s the thing: the sales support didn’t get back to me. A first for Apple, in my experience.

The Plot Thickens

So, I decided to dig a little deeper. I reviewed my CitizenOne loan by creating an account with my loan number. Turns out, you can’t see the remaining balance via apple.com.

My Decision

Given that I pay off my loan and fully own my device, I decided to try and sell it myself on Swappa. I keep my devices in near mint condition, so why not?

The Oddity

Here’s something odd: you can’t get 3% back on an Apple iPhone purchase via installments anymore. The criteria to even do Apple Card installments now requires you to be part of one of the 3 carriers. This means if you want to be unlocked and get 3% back, you need to pay it in full with the Apple Card.

Wrapping Up

So, that’s my journey with the Apple Upgrade Program so far. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster, and I’ve learned that understanding the financial policies and exploring all your options is key. If you’re thinking about a similar move, do your homework, and don’t hesitate to reach out to Apple Support or the Apple Sales Team. They’re there to help! And if they don’t get back to you, well, you’re not alone.

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