Shoppers in China can now order online and collect at an Apple Store

What you need to know

Shoppers in mainland China can now order online and collect their Apple wares from an Apple Store.
In-store pickup has been available elsewhere for a long time, but this is a first for China.

No more waiting for your new thing to turn up in the mail.

Apple is now offering shoppers in mainland China the option to order products online and then pick them up from a local Apple Store. It’s the first time the in-store pickup option has been available in the country after being available in many other parts of the world for some time.

Previously, Apple’s online store worked the way any other would — giving buyers various delivery options. Now, buyers can select their nearest Apple Store and receive a notification when their order is ready to be collected. However, as 9to5Mac notes, there is one key difference between the Chinese in-store pickup and the way it works elsewhere.

Anyone ordering for in-store pickup in most countries can designate an alternative contact for collection, allowing someone else to pick their order up for them. That isn’t an option in China, with the name on the order having to match the name on the person’s ID.

Shoppers can learn more about in-store pickup on the Chinese Apple website. In-store pickup is a great way to get your order sooner than having to wait for delivery while also being able to browse the store from the comfort of your own home. Buying online is probably the best iPhone buying experience, too — especially as the stores get busier following the pandemic.

All you need to do now is wait for Apple to launch iPhone 13 and you can test that new pickup option out for yourself!