If you’re hoping to pick up an iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max in time to gift it as a holiday gift, you probably already know the odds are stacked against you. The standard iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are readily available at most Apple retail stores, but Apple’s flagship phones are much, much harder to find.
Not only are you dealing with the normal holiday rush of demand like any other year, but Apple just doesn’t have enough phones for everyone. Covid-related lockdowns at the main iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max assembly plant have led to operations operating at “significantly reduced capacity”. And worker protests at those Foxconn facilities have further reduced supply.
Maybe you don’t care about getting a new iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max in the immediate future. But if you’re determined to make it happen, follow the tips below for the best chance of success. This will take patience and effort, but I’m reasonably confident it’s doable if you put the time into it.
Apple’s delivery estimates for all iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max configurations now extend through January. It’s possible that some orders will come in sooner than expected, but given that the company could be facing a potential shortfall of 15-20 million units, according to some analyst estimates, I wouldn’t count on luck in this scenario. If you’re not concerned about receiving your phone on a certain date, feel free to order and don’t stress it out.
Conventional wisdom says that Apple reserves much of the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max inventory for its own retail outlets. That’s usually true, but you’re still going to face a climb trying to catch one.
Apple has shown a tendency to release inventory for in-store pickup both before stores open (usually between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. local time) and also after they closed for the day. Before the recent supply shortage, I normally saw the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max phones start showing up around 9 p.m. and often later. And yes, stock also appears regularly throughout the day when stores receive shipments. Restocks have become much rarer since Apple warned of “longer wait times” for the Pro line, but they still pop up here and there. Luckily, you don’t have to manually perform all of these checks and updates yourself. Who has time for that?
Here’s the real pro tip, folks. This is how you win. Software developer Worth Baker has created a Mac app called InventoryWatch that constantly checks nearby Apple stock in your area — up to once a minute — for the iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max you’re looking for. If you don’t care about color or storage, it will show you all the phones as they become available. You can just leave the app running in the background during the work day or while you are doing something else.
Once you see something pop up, it’s still up to you to open the Apple website (or Apple Store iOS app) and go through the checkout process so you can pick it up from the store. But InventoryWatch can give you a head start on the hardest part of knowing when a phone is available in the first place. As long as you catch it quickly, you should be good to go.
a:hover]:text-gray-63 text-gray-63 dark:[&>a:hover]:text-gray-bd dark:text-gray-bd dark:[&>a]:text-grey-comics [&>a]:shadow-underline-gray-63 [&>a:hover]:shadow-underline-dark black:[&>a]:shadow-underline-dark gray:[&>a:hover]:shadow-underline-gray”>Image: Chris Welch / The Verge
When I was watching about a month ago, restocks at surrounding Apple stores were relatively frequent throughout the day. But things became much calmer in late November, further reinforcing the idea that Apple is facing severe supply constraints. But they pop up occasionally, just like the example below, which appeared today, November 30.
a:hover]:text-gray-63 text-gray-63 dark:[&>a:hover]:text-gray-bd dark:text-gray-bd dark:[&>a]:text-grey-comics [&>a]:shadow-underline-gray-63 [&>a:hover]:shadow-underline-dark black:[&>a]:shadow-underline-dark gray:[&>a:hover]:shadow-underline-gray”>Image: Chris Welch / The Verge
Whenever this iPhone 14 Pro situation subsides, you can also use the handy utility to check stock for new Macs (including custom hardware configurations that aren’t announced on Apple’s site) and other products. Heck, right now it’ll even help you track down the $9 USB-C to Apple Pencil adapter that’s oddly hard to find.
Apple prefers online ordering over in-store pickup and will direct most customers that way. The odds of walking into the nearest Apple Store, asking for an iPhone 14 Pro, and getting the one you want are extremely thin… but not impossible. In some cases, local stores may have inventory that for some reason is not reflected on Apple’s website; I experienced this first hand. So it might be worth popping in if you’re in the area for holiday shopping. Have no illusions and you may be surprised.
Apple is clearly struggling to keep up with demand through its own store, but major US carriers like Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T might be able to get you an iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max for the holidays. It’s worth checking each carrier’s website to see what’s available in your area.
And don’t forget retailers like Best Buy, Target, and Walmart, especially if there’s no Apple store within a reasonable distance of where you are. I did a quick check at Best Buy today, and it showed that some iPhone 14 Pro Max models were shipping before December 14th. You will need a wireless account to buy from these retailers. Only Apple lets you dial in and out with an iPhone that’s not tied to any carrier.
I hope these tips help you find the iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max you’re so determined to buy. Seriously, don’t sleep on InventoryWatch. I wish you good luck in the quest.
