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Apple Dropped Plan to Ship Leased iPhones Already Set Up for Users
MacRumors • • technology
Key Points:
- Apple considered a "white-glove" service for its Apple Upgrade leasing program that would deliver new devices pre-loaded with the customer's data but ultimately did not implement this feature.
- The Apple Upgrade program, launched on July 28 in the U.S., allows customers to lease iPhones, iPads, Macs, or Apple Watches with flexible terms and options to return, pay off, or trade devices at the end of the lease.
- The pre-loading feature would have restored devices from iCloud backups before shipping, simplifying setup for customers, but Apple likely abandoned the idea due to privacy concerns.
- Technical challenges were not a barrier; instead, Apple was cautious about customer reactions to receiving devices with personal data already installed, which could raise questions about data security and access.
