Several customers awaiting deliveries of their new redesigned MacBook Pros are being told that their shipments are being delayed due to "mechanical" issues impacting UPS, a courier used by Apple to ship its devices worldwide.
"A mechanical failure has caused a delay" is the message several customers are being told when they track their new MacBook Pro shipment. Customers on the MacRumors Forum are also reporting that UPS is sending emails to customers informing them of unknown mechanical failures and that estimated delivery dates will vary depending on the conditions on the ground.
The mechanical failures, possibly about aircraft, are causing shipments of MacBook Pros, and presumably, other consumer electronic devices, to be left stationary on the ground in cities in China. Some shipments are still on-the-ground in Shanghai and Seoul, South Korea, and publicly available flight records show few UPS flights scheduled to depart either city today, at the time of writing.
Cologne, Germany, serves as one of UPS' main hubs in Europe and is where MacBook Pro shipments are likely to arrive from Asia before being sent to customers across Europe. One UPS flight from Seoul to Cologne that was scheduled for later today has been canceled, as noted on Reddit. Customers are also sharing their frustrations on Twitter.
@UPS has “mechanical issues” and my shipment has been stuck in China for days. Classic UPS experience @Apple@AppleSupport should know better and ship with @DHLGlobal instead.
— petroluseum (@petroluseum) October 27, 2021
@UPS A mechanical failure has caused a delay. We will update the delivery date as soon as possible. / Your parcel is on the way. Now that sounds horrible. What’s going on?
— Richard Jacobs (@ReinventorNL) October 27, 2021
@UPS - Package 1:"A mechanical failure has caused a delay." <- showing for last 2 days.
Package 2:"Please check again later for scheduled delivery." <- showing for last 3 days.
Your only job is to track parcels. Why are you so bad at it?
— John Woods (@JohnAlanWoods) October 27, 2021
"Your shipment is currently within the UPS network; however, an unforeseen event has occurred which could result in a change to the scheduled delivery date" is another message being broadcast to customers. Customers awaiting delivery for their new MacBook Pros should keep an eye out on their tracking page for any updates. Customers can also keep a close tab on the MacRumors Forums for updates.
It remains unclear if other Apple shipments, such as the newly launched third-generation AirPods, are also being impacted.
Thursday November 20, 2025 6:28 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple's annual four-day Black Friday through Cyber Monday shopping event is returning on Friday, November 28 through Monday, December 1 in many countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Thailand, and others.
During the shopping event, customers can get an Apple gift card with...
Thursday November 20, 2025 10:50 am PST by Joe Rossignol
iOS 26.2 is currently in beta testing. The upcoming update includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, including a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics for Apple Music, and more.
In a recent press release, Apple confirmed that iOS 26.2 will be released to all users in December, but it did not provide a specific release date.
Keep reading...
Wednesday November 19, 2025 4:00 am PST by Tim Hardwick
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
One thing worth...
Friday November 21, 2025 3:53 am PST by Tim Hardwick
Apple has begun selling the Hikawa Phone Grip and Stand, a new limited-edition iPhone accessory designed with accessibility in mind.
Designed by LA-based Bailey Hikawa to celebrate the 40th anniversary of accessibility at Apple, the grip uses magnets to securely snap onto any iPhone with MagSafe.
Apple says it can be removed with ease, and doubles as a stand with two different viewing...
Apple's eighth-generation iPad mini is highly likely to arrive next year, offering a significant refresh of the device with at least four major new features.
OLED Display
The next-generation version of the iPad mini could feature an OLED display, as part of Apple's plan to expand the display technology across many more of its devices. Apple's first OLED device was the Apple Watch in 2015, ...
Black Friday is just over a week away, and iPad deals have finally started to flood in at retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. Below we're tracking discounts on every current generation iPad, including lowest-ever prices on M3 iPad Air and M5 iPad Pro, plus steep markdowns on iPad and iPad mini.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a ...
Thursday November 20, 2025 7:01 am PST by Tim Hardwick
Apple Watch owners have been voicing their frustration online over changes to the Workout app that Apple introduced in watchOS 26, with many finding the redesigned interface makes starting exercises difficult and exasperating.
When Apple launched watchOS 26 in September, the Workout app went from large, easily tapped workout tiles to a scrolling, corner-button interface. Instead of tapping a ...
Apple today announced an expansion of AppleCare+ coverage in India, with new options for monthly and annual plans, and the addition of Theft and Loss for iPhone for the first time.
Options for monthly and annual AppleCare+ plans in India provide more choice and flexibility, allowing users to keep coverage for as long as they require. Apple's vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product...
Thursday November 20, 2025 8:21 am PST by Joe Rossignol
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps.
Earlier this week, Illinois became the 13th state in the U.S. to offer the feature. Subsequently, we shared a list of additional states that are committed...
Wow some people here are so out of touch. The plane may have had technical problems and it needs to get fixed. And people are like I don’t care if the pilots die in an unsafe machine give me my MacBook now!
I remember my train was cancelled due to a suicide, someone jumped onto the tracks and got hit, and some selfish hipsters at the train station were yelling at the poor railway staf trying to help. Like I don’t care for the reason and I don’t want to use the next train in one hour I want you to put a replacement train on the tracks right now! It’s a sad Me Me Me society we live in.
No, I'm using a low spec computer to do my work while I wait for this to arrive. I quit my job to build a startup and had to give back my old computer last week so I have two options. Expect this MBP to turn up before I have to return the temporary mac mini to apple within the 2 week window or buy another computer because apple can't fulfil their delivery dates.
Quite amazing you can't imagine any scenario where people need these to arrive in a timely manner.
This seems like poor planning on your part, not an issue with UPS or Apple.
I find it amazing that some folks just want to live their lives by the skin of their teeth. If you are seriously building a business, try some strategic planning.
Don’t build a house of cards that will fall if UPS is a day or two late.