iOS 27 Code Suggests Apple Could Restrict Leased Devices After Missed Payments Code embedded in the iOS 27 beta has revealed potential changes to how Apple manages leased devices, including the ability to restrict access to apps and services when customers fail to meet payment obligations. The discovery, reported by 9to5Mac, aligns with Bloomberg’s earlier speculation about Apple’s upcoming “Apple Upgrade” leasing program, which could launch in the U.S. next week. This program, reportedly partnered with Klarna, would allow users to lease iPhones, Macs, iPads, and Apple Watches with lower monthly payments. Lease terms vary by device, with iPhones and Apple Watches typically leased for 24 months and Macs and iPads for 36 months. Customers could potentially upgrade to newer models before the lease ends, though this may involve additional fees. At the end of the lease, users would have the option to keep the device or return it, similar to a car lease. The iOS 27 beta code highlights a system called “App Managed Features,” which enables a financing or provider app to enroll an iPhone and monitor its status. If a lease falls into default, Apple’s system could activate “Restricted Mode,” limiting access to most apps while preserving a limited set of essential functions. The allowlist in the beta includes apps like Accessibility Reader and the Restricted Mode interface itself. Critical apps such as Messages, Home, and safety-related tools might also remain accessible, though the financing provider could control these exceptions. Notably, the code does not appear to halt App Store subscriptions tied to blocked apps, meaning subscriptions could continue billing even if the associated app is restricted.#apple #ios_27 #klarna #apple_upgrade #find_my
Apple Raised Mac Prices. Now It Might Lease You One Apple is set to introduce Apple Upgrade, a leasing program backed by Klarna, which will be available in the U.S. starting July 28. The initiative aims to make high-priced devices more accessible by allowing customers to spread the cost over time. This comes less than a month after Apple raised prices across its hardware lineup, citing global shortages of memory and storage chips. The MacBook Air, for instance, saw its price increase from $1,099 to $1,299, while the iPad Air rose from $599 to $749. Despite these price hikes, Apple reported strong financial performance in its latest earnings release. The company called its March quarter “the best March quarter ever,” with $111.2 billion in revenue for the three months ending March 28, a 17% increase from the same period the previous year. Net income reached nearly $29.6 billion during the same period. These figures suggest Apple Upgrade is more about maintaining sales momentum than salvaging a struggling business. By framing the $1,299 MacBook Air as a three-year payment plan, the company hopes to ease the psychological burden of a high upfront cost. The leasing strategy aligns with broader economic trends. Recent data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shows applications for new credit hit a five-year high in June, while a separate survey found that 37% of adults would need to borrow money or sell assets to cover a $400 emergency. This makes buy-now, pay-later models more appealing, as customers only need to afford the first payment rather than the full price upfront. Apple Upgrade functions similarly to a car lease, offering flexibility in how customers use the devices. Users can upgrade early, return the device at the end of the agreement, or pay the remaining balance to keep it.#apple #macbook_air #klarna #ipad_air #apple_upgrade
