When iPhones need a particularly lengthy repair, Apple might offer a loaner phone to use while you wait. But it won’t be the newest iPhone available.
If you’ve ever taken your iPhone in for an Apple repair, you may be aware that the store sometimes gives you a loaner phone to use while you wait for your phone to be fixed.
So what iPhone does Apple give as a loaner phone and how does the loaner system work? This article will tell you everything you need to know about Apple’s loaner iPhone, so read on to find out more.
What iPhone Does Apple Provide as a Loaner Phone?
At the time of writing, Apple is switching from the iPhone 8 to the iPhone XR, making the XR Apple’s official loaner phone.
Although Apple has discontinued the iPhone XR and it isn’t the most powerful iPhone available, it is still a good enough model, especially as a temporary loaner iPhone.
The iPhone XR has some of the modern features that come with some of the latest iPhone devices—like Face ID and Dual SIM support, for instance.
It also supports iOS 15, which goes a long way even for an older device. And most importantly, it will only slow you down for a week or two until you get your main device back. In any case, Apple wouldn’t loan you a newer iPhone or one of the latest models as they carry more risk for Apple.
You can get the iPhone XR as a loaner phone at Apple Stores and authorized service providers in the US and other regions, and only for lengthier repairs.
How Apple’s Loaner System Works
In case you’ve never had a loaner phone from Apple before or just don’t know how it works, Apple doesn’t just give you a loaner iPhone just because yours needs repairs.
Instead, Apple typically offers you a loaner iPhone if your iPhone will take longer than usual to repair and the store decides to send it to an Apple repair center to be serviced.
And Apple’s loaner system is standard—Apple gives all customers the same loaner phone, meaning you can’t choose which iPhone you prefer. After Apple notifies you that your iPhone is repaired and ready for pickup, you have 14 days to return the loaner iPhone given to you.
And don’t get too comfortable—Apple wants you to delete any media or files you may have saved on the loaner iPhone upon return.
Apple Continues to Manage the Risk Associated With Loaner iPhones
In case you’re wondering why Apple doesn’t use a newer iPhone for loaners, it’s because the older the phone, the less risk it carries for Apple.
If anything were to happen to an iPhone while out on loan, be it damage or theft, an older device is cheaper for Apple to repair or lose than a newer one. And that’s why Apple will probably continue to use older devices for its loaner system in the future.
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