Developers Start Receiving $500 Credits for Returning DTK Mac Minis

Apple last week sent out emails to developers who are in possession of a Developer Transition Kit, providing instructions on returning the test machines. Developers have now started mailing in their DTKs, with Apple rewarding the promised $500 USD credit once the DTK has been received.

mac mini developer transition kit photo feature

In appreciation of your participation in the Universal App Quick Start program and to help with your continued development of Universal apps, we'd like to provide you with a one-time-use promo code for $500 toward the purchase of a new M1 Mac or other Apple products ordered through the Apple Store Online.

Developers are receiving the equivalent of $500 USD regardless of country, so those in Canada are receiving C$ 636, while those in Europe will receive 412 euros. In some cases, the amount being paid out by Apple does not match the cost that developers paid to participate in the program as some countries were required to pay more than $500 USD.


The Developer Transition Kits were offered to developers ahead of the release of the M1 Macs to allow them to begin developing apps for Apple silicon chips. The DTKs are Mac minis with an A12Z chip, 16GB RAM, a 512GB SSD, two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, and an HDMI 2.0 port. The A12Z chip in the DTK was first developed for the 2020 iPad Pro models.

Apple has asked developers to return their DTKs by March 31, 2021 in order to get the $500 credit, which can be used toward the purchase of any Apple product.

Apple originally planned to give developers a $200 credit, but later upped that amount to $500 after developers complained about low credit amounts and the technical issues that were experienced during the testing process.

While DTKs must now be sent back, developers will continue to have access to a private discussion forum and technical support from Apple for further app development.

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Top Rated Comments

4jasontv Avatar
57 months ago

Isn't this a given? Why is the $500 credit getting this much attention
Because Karen and her friends were upset about the lease they signed.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zachz Avatar
57 months ago
Isn't this a given? Why is the $500 credit getting this much attention
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
opiapr Avatar
57 months ago
In some cases, the amount being paid out by Apple does not match the cost that developers
paid to participate in the program as some countries were required to pay more than $500 USD


They weren't entitled to anything. They did not put down a refundable deposit they paid for access to the DTK without any refund. Apple offered them $200 and then raises it to $500 as a nice gesture. People should understand what contracts they enter into and abide by them. Stop whining afterwards.

I believe real developers understand this. But a lot of people got this DTK with the intention of getting freebie from Apple and those are the ones whining.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
code-m Avatar
57 months ago

Why is this news ?‍♂️
Seems drawn out to me tbh. It’s a contract and condition between Apple and the developer not sure why regular folks here need to be kept in the loop or every development that has no bearing on anything related to them.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LFC2020 Avatar
57 months ago
Why is this news ?‍♂️
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
code-m Avatar
57 months ago

It was not part of the original contract they signed. With that, they paid $500, no credit, and had to return the device at end of the early access lease period.
Except the contact was for a year, Apple changed it and ended it early to me if Apple is going to take something then it should give something. In the original case it was $200 which was a lowball offer considering these things, developers made it public and Apple reconsidered and everyone (almost) is happy. Some developers have reported issues with the DTK with little to no support from Apple (cannot confirm).

There is another thing in many business’ called appreciation and sometimes that is a little token, the belated Steve Jobs understood this while Tim Cooks seems to have lost touch. Without developers a platform will faultier.

Rather than piss on the developers or Apple, understand a mutual understanding and agreement can be reached.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)