Reminder: Apple Watch Pre-Orders Have Standard 14-Day Return Policy

While the wait continues for Apple Watch pre-orders to be processed and prepared for shipment, it is worth a reminder that the wrist-worn device has the same standard 14-day return policy as other Apple products such as the iPhone, iPad and Mac. Apple Watch Edition models can only be returned if they are determined to be in original condition after passing inspection at an offsite Apple facility.

Apple Watch Trio
The 14-day return policy applies to the date that the customer receives the Apple Watch, meaning that those who pre-ordered the device can rest assured that they will have a full two weeks to test the smartwatch before having to return it. Apple Watch pre-orders made online can be shipped back to Apple or brought to an Apple Store in the same country of purchase for a refund in the original form of tender.

A growing number of users have turned to the MacRumors forums to discuss about their Apple Watch pre-orders, with the conversation divided into three threads based on shipping estimates of 4/24—5/8, 4-6 weeks or June. Given that Apple Watch supply appears to be limited, it remains unknown how many customers will have their pre-order fulfilled by launch day on April 24. Choose your thread and share what you think.

Forum Discussion Threads

  1. 4/24—5/8 Delivery Estimate Discussion
  2. 4-6 Weeks (May 13—27) Delivery Estimate Discussion
  3. June Delivery Estimate Discussion

Apple Watch pre-orders began on April 10 at 12:01 AM Pacific in the United States, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan and United Kingdom, and completely sold out in less than six hours on the U.S. storefront. While some early customers received a shipping estimate of 4/24—5/8 for certain Apple Watch models, many others were given a delivery estimate of 4-6 weeks or June.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro to Reverse iPhone X Design Decision

Monday July 7, 2025 9:46 am PDT by
Since the iPhone X in 2017, all of Apple's highest-end iPhone models have featured either stainless steel or titanium frames, but it has now been rumored that this design decision will be coming to an end with the iPhone 17 Pro models later this year. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo today, the account Instant Digital said that the iPhone 17 Pro models will have an aluminum...
iOS 26 Feature

Everything New in iOS 26 Beta 3

Monday July 7, 2025 1:20 pm PDT by
Apple is continuing to refine and update iOS 26, and beta three features smaller changes than we saw in beta 2, plus further tweaks to the Liquid Glass design. Apple is gearing up for the next phase of beta testing, and the company has promised that a public beta is set to come out in July. Transparency In some apps like Apple Music, Podcasts, and the App Store, Apple has toned down the...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says iPhone Driver's Licenses Will Expand to These 8 U.S. States

Tuesday July 8, 2025 11:26 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Unfortunately, this feature continues to roll out very slowly since it was announced in 2021, with only nine U.S. states, Puerto Rico,...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

5 Reasons to Skip This Year's iPhone 17 Pro

Thursday July 10, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series in two months, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming...
apple account card feature

Apple Account Card Expanding to More Countries

Tuesday July 8, 2025 7:34 pm PDT by
Apple is expanding the ability to add an Apple Account Card to the Wallet app to more countries, according to backend Apple Pay changes. With iOS 15.5, Apple updated the Wallet app to allow users to add an Apple Account Card, which displays the Apple credit balance associated with an Apple ID. If you receive an Apple gift card, for example, it is added to an Apple Account that is also...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

Leaker Reveals Amount of RAM in iPhone 17 Through iPhone 17 Pro Max

Wednesday July 9, 2025 8:08 am PDT by
Three out of four iPhone 17 models will feature more RAM than the equivalent iPhone 16 models, according to a new leak that aligns with previous rumors. The all-new iPhone 17 Air, the iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max will each be equipped with 12GB of RAM, according to Fixed Focus Digital, an account with more than two million followers on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The...
iphone 16 pro models 1

Here's How the iPhone 17 Pro Max Will Compare to the iPhone 17 Pro

Saturday July 5, 2025 1:00 pm PDT by
Apple should unveil the iPhone 17 series in September, and there might be one bigger difference between the Pro and Pro Max models this year. As always, the Pro Max model will be larger than the Pro model:iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch display iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch displayGiven the Pro Max is physically larger than the Pro, it has more internal space, allowing for a larger battery and...
imac video apple feature

Apple Launching These 15+ Products Later This Year

Sunday July 6, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
The calendar has turned to July, meaning that 2025 is now more than half over. And while the summer months are often quiet for Apple, the company still has more than a dozen products coming later this year, according to rumors. Below, we have outlined at least 15 new Apple products that are expected to launch later this year, along with key rumored features for each. iPhone 17 Series iPho...

Top Rated Comments

vartanarsen Avatar
134 months ago
Image (http://imgur.com/30NWsbA.jpg)

Lord Eddard Stark for the win!!!!!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BruiserB Avatar
134 months ago
I do wonder how many returns there will be.

Two of my friends have pre-ordered (the only people I know personally to have bought it at all) and both pre-ordered two watches with the intention to send the one they like least back to Apple.

Makes me curious if this is a trend or just the two people I know are outliers.
They might be smarter to sell the one they don't want on Craigslist/eBay.

With the current demand, they could likely make enough to pay for a good chunk of the watch they keep.

I do think the way Apple has limited supply at the beginning (whether intentionally or not) will have a big effect on keeping returns down. You're a lot less likely to return it if you need to wait 3 months to get something else.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)