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Anyone ordering a gift from the Apple Store online has more time to return it this year. This extended return period is effective immediately and runs until the new year. The decisive factor is not when the order is placed, but when the package arrives.
Apple has launched its extended return policy for the 2026 holiday season. According to Apple's Returns & Refunds page, eligible products purchased from the Apple Store Online and shipped between November 6 and December 25, 2026, can be returned until January 8, 2027. The same policy applies to the websites for Austria and Switzerland. This provides some flexibility, especially with expensive gifts like a new iPhone, if the recipient doesn't like the current iPhone models.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Items delivered between November 6 and December 25, 2026 can be returned until January 8, 2027.
- The decisive factor is the delivery date, not the order date.
- The rule applies equally in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
- In Germany, purchases made via installment payments are exempt; the normal payment period applies to them.
- After December 25th, the regular 14 calendar days from delivery apply again.
Which deliveries fall under the special deadline?
This special rule applies to the Apple Store online and is tied to the delivery date. Devices arriving on or after November 6th are eligible, as are all those delivered up to and including December 25th. Returns are accepted until January 8th, 2027.
Last year, the special deadline only applied to deliveries from November 12, 2025 onwards, and also ended on January 8. The period is therefore almost a week longer in 2026.
| Country | Delivery within the period | Return by | Installment purchase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | November 6 to December 25, 2026 | January 8, 2027 | except |
| Austria | November 6 to December 25, 2026 | January 8, 2027 | not specified |
| Switzerland | November 6 to December 25, 2026 | January 8, 2027 | not specified |
Installment purchase: The exception is only listed on the German website
On its German website, Apple explicitly excludes purchases via installment payments. Anyone ordering a device on installment plans, even during the Christmas season, only has the standard 14-day payment period. This statement is missing from the websites for Austria and Switzerland.
All other sales and refund terms of the Apple Store Online remain unchanged.
What applies after December 25th
For all purchases made after December 25, 2026, the regular return policy will apply again. Standard hardware can then be returned within 14 calendar days of delivery; software must be unopened.
How you get your money back depends on the payment method. For credit card payments, Apple transfers the amount to the bank within five business days of receiving the return in Germany and Austria; for Switzerland, Apple states five to seven days for the credit to be applied. If you paid with an Apple Gift Card, the money will be refunded to the Apple Gift Card via email.
Why ordering early is doubly worthwhile
I think the delivery date is the point most people underestimate. Anyone who orders on December 23rd and doesn't receive their package until after Christmas misses the extended return period and only has the standard 14 days. Ordering early not only guarantees delivery by Christmas Eve but also ensures a longer return window.
For gifts given with a gift card, the following also applies: Returning a gift card doesn't result in a refund, but rather another gift card. If you want to avoid this, it's best to pay for the gift with a card.
Do you prefer to buy Apple gifts early with a long return period, or do you decide just before Christmas and accept the 14-day return window? Let us know in the comments when you'll be ordering this year.
