It appears likely that Apple is looking to make a big shift in how it treats leased iPhones and payment plans. The changes include a new Upgrade Program and leaked iOS 27 beta code that suggests Apple could restrict iPhones when customers skip payments.
Apple Upgrade Program
The code leak (from 9to5Mac) appears to coincide with a report from yesterday that Apple is planning to ditch the iPhone Upgrade Program in favor of one that lets you lease different Apple devices.
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple will partner with Klarna to finance the program, which would cover most iPhones, Macs, MacBooks, iPads and Apple Watches, save the entry-level models. The leases would run between 24 and 36 months depending on which device you get.
Like car leases, the Program would let you pay off your device or upgrade to a new model before the lease ends. At the end of the term, you could keep the device or return it.
iOS 27
With that in mind, according to 9to5Mac, iOS 27 contains code that reveals a "broader system for managing a financed iPhone." This system apparently includes the ability to restrict apps and service if a payment is missed.
There is something called App Managed Features which would authorize financing and perform status checks, presumably to ensure payments have been made.
If a payment is missed, the iPhone would be put in "Restricted Mode." This mode "blocks access to most apps." A small set of apps would remain available, including:
- Accessibility Reader
- App Store
- Health
- Magnifier
- Phone
- Clock
- Settings
- Wallet
- Passwords
- The Restricted Mode interface itself
Some apps like Messages and Home or safety apps might also remain accessible. Though it seems the financial provider has control over the exceptions.
Apparently, the number of missed payments that trigger Restricted Mode is up to the financial provider and their policies.
When could Restricted Mode arrive?
Apple is rumored to launch the new Apple Upgrade Program next week on July 28. However, 9to5Mac couldn't find references to the Restricted Mode in the current beta code or iOS 26.6 RC, which was released yesterday.
It's possible Apple could launch either feature later.
We'll know in less than a week whether or not Apple decides to actually launch its revised Upgrade Program.
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