How to preorder a purple iPhone 12, AirTag on April 23 the right way

By

How to preorder iPhone 12 and AirTag
Get your wallet ready for April 23.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

iPhone 12 and 12 mini will soon be available in a brand-new purple color option, alongside AirTag — Apple’s very first item tracker. You can preorder all three devices starting Friday, April 23, ahead of their release on April 30.

We’ll show you how.

Aside from a new lick of paint, the purple iPhone 12 and 12 mini are identical to their siblings. They cost exactly the same — $699 and $799, respectively — and they offer all the same features. That includes Apple’s latest A14 Bionic chip, Face ID, a Super Retina XDR display, and 5G connectivity.

AirTag, on the other hand, is entirely new. It’s a tiny $29 device you can attach to your keys, backpack, laptop bag and more so that they can be easily tracked using the Find My app on your iPhone. AirTag uses Bluetooth and Apple’s brilliant Ultra Wideband technology for accurate positioning.

Preorder iPhone 12, AirTag Friday, April 23

The purple iPhone 12 and 12 mini and AirTag will all be available to preorder from 5 a.m. PDT, 8 a.m. EDT, and 1 p.m. BST on Friday, April 23. All three devices will be available in the U.S., the U.K., China, Japan, and 30 other regions and countries around the world.

There are a couple of ways you can preorder. The quickest and easiest method is typically using the free Apple Store app for iPhone and iPad. If you’re using another device, you can preorder through the Apple website. You’ll find AirTag under the iPhone section of the website.

You can also preorder a new iPhone through carriers and select third-party retailers. You’ll need a contact your carrier or retailer of choice for more information on their preorder process.

Beat the rush

Like all new Apple products, the purple iPhone 12 variants and AirTag are likely to sell quickly when preorders go live, and shipping times could start slipping fast. So you’ll want to be ready to make your purchase as soon as possible if you want to secure launch day delivery.

There’s no way to gain an advantage when it comes to preordering AirTag — you just need to be quick. However, if you’re buying a new iPhone 12 or 12 mini, there are some things you can do to speed up the process, especially if you plan to purchase on contract or through the iPhone Upgrade Program.

iPhone Upgrade Program customers can check their upgrade eligibility now to ensure they can order their new handset right away. As far as we can tell, however, it’s not possible to get preapproved for the purple iPhone 12 and 12 mini, so you’ll need to complete this process when you order.

Keep your details up to date

You’ll need to provide Apple with some information if you’re using the iPhone Upgrade Program, so it’s a good idea to have this ready. In addition to your Social Security number (or equivalent if you live outside the U.S.), Apple requires a valid credit or debit card.

A credit check is also required for the iPhone Upgrade Program, so you might want to ensure your credit report is unlocked in advance.

Those paying for their iPhone or AirTag outright will want to ensure their payment information and personal details are up to date inside the Apple Store app. Having to edit this information as you place your order will obviously slow down the process and could lead to a shipping delay.

Newsletters

Daily round-ups or a weekly refresher, straight from Cult of Mac to your inbox.

  • The Weekender

    The week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.