iPhone 11 Pro iUP early upgrade not showing correctly with Apple

[Pipper99]

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?

 

[MisterSavage]

Wow, that's really strange. I wonder if the extra payments was something their system didn't account for people doing.

 

[Obi-WannaDraw]

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.
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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.

 

[MisterSavage]

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.

 

[Obi-WannaDraw]

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]

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.

 

[siurpeeman]

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.

 

[Pipper99]

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]

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.

 

[Pipper99]

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

yeah, they probably do.

 

[MisterSavage]

yeah, they probably do.

Hopefully your store will be open by the time the phone rolls around. The first two years I was in-store (because they forced you to) but I flipped to mail as soon as I could.

 

[compwiz1202]

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.

 

[Pipper99]

Well, my iUP upgrade eligibility finally came through today. Not sure what changed, but it’s good to go.

Thank you all!