Apple Now Offers Free Two-Hour Delivery for Last-Minute Gifts

Apple is making sure your last-minute iOS gifts will arrive to your loved ones within two hours.

That's right. Apple's retail stores are now offering free two-hour deliveries on eligible, in-stock products in some countries, with the offer covering much of the company's products.

Apple normally charges $9 for the same service on regular days, according to MacRumors.

Apple Free Two-Hour Delivery Details

Apple recently changed its shipping and delivery regulations. According to Apple's Help page regarding shipping and delivery, its usual $9 two-hour shipping is now free and is applicable on most in-stock items.

These in-stock items include the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods, and Apple TV only.

This delivery offer is available in most US metro areas for orders made through Apple's online store from Dec. 22 to 12 PM local time on Dec. 24, making them available to you or your loved ones before or just in time for Christmas day.

Keep in mind, though, that purchases that avail of the free two-hour delivery will be delivered to their destinations by a courier, such as Postmates from a local Apple retail store at a time the customer selected during checkout.

Additionally, Apple's two-hour delivery service is unavailable on customized Mac computers, engraved products, and certain order types, such as orders paid for with financing or by bank transfer.

Furthermore, Apple's two-hour delivery service does not apply to P.O. box addresses.

The two-hour delivery service is also available in select areas of Canada, France, Spain, and the UK.

Australia wouldn't get the same deal from Apple, but it does get a similar free three-hour delivery service.

Apple Insider notes that Apple stressed that delivery times vary according to customers' selected delivery address, availability of their items, and the time of day they place their order.

Finally, items bought during the three-day two-hour delivery offer will also remain eligible for Apple's extended return period, but they must be initiated by Jan. 8, 2023.

For those unaware, Apple's extended return period covers items purchased at the Apple Online Store and were received between Nov. 4 and Dec. 25, per Apple's Returns and Refunds page.

Apple Free Next-Day Delivery Details

If a free two-hour delivery service isn't enough for you, Apple also made its next-day delivery free. According to the same Apple Help page, the next-day delivery service is available for any in-stock Mac, iPad, iPhone, Apple TV, or Apple Watch.

However, should a customer want something delivered apart from the previously mentioned items for next-day delivery, they can opt to have them delivered within two days free of charge.

Other Options

If you wish to get your Apple gifts immediately yourself or have others do it for you, you may want to buy online to skip the queue and either pick it up in-store or wait for it on the curbside without leaving your vehicle.

There are some catches, though In-store pickup may require a temperature check, while curbside pickup requires you to park in a designated spot and is only available in select locations.