Apple has officially launched its latest holiday push, offering free two-hour delivery on eligible, in-stock items. This means that last-minute shoppers in the USA and Canada now have the opportunity to avoid the crowds in stores. This limited-time offer is available in most major cities until 12pm on December 24th, eliminating the standard $9 courier fee. In Australia, the company offers a similar three-hour delivery offer during the same time slot.
Fast delivery from the local shelf to your door
This express program leverages Apple-owned retail stores and connects them with local couriers like Uber Eats and Postmates. Because these orders are picked up from store shelves, the offer only applies to items that are physically in stock nearby. Most of the heavyweights are included: iPhones, iPads, Macs, the Apple Watch, AirPods, Apple TV and Beats devices. However, don’t expect it for custom-built Macs, anything with an engraving, or certain smaller accessories. For these items, Apple’s standard express shipping is still your best bet, so you can still get some accessories by the end of the day.
Timing is crucial here. Apple is clearly trying to capitalize on the latest wave of holiday spending by making the purchasing process as straightforward as possible. With courier providers already suffering from holiday shortages, lowering the fee and promising two-hour windows is a smart way to get people to buy directly through Apple rather than migrating to major retailers or third-party sites.
A safety net for last minute buyers
For the person who realizes they have forgotten a gift on the 24th, this is a huge comfort boost. Most important shipping deadlines have already passed, so in-store pickup is the only real alternative. This system creates an “ultra-fast” alternative for those who can’t or don’t want to deal with a mall parking spot on Christmas Eve. It also helps secure popular items like the latest AirPods before the local store completely sells out.
Apple also keeps its extended holiday return window active to give shoppers some peace of mind. Most products received between November 12 and December 25, 2025 can be returned until January 8, 2026. This extra time is a nice buffer if a gift doesn’t quite fit.
Looking ahead, we can expect Apple to continue relying on this type of “on-demand” logistics. As retail competition becomes increasingly fierce, these fast delivery options are becoming an integral part of their strategy. How well this “midday on the 24th” deadline goes will likely determine how hard Apple pushes these convenience-first strategies in 2026 and beyond.
