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Apple stopped accepting new UK customers into its Barclays-backed iPhone Upgrade Programme after 29 January 2026. Existing customers’ loans and contractual upgrade rights did not end: keep making scheduled payments and check the terms of your own agreement. New Apple buyers are directed to a separate finance option provided by Creation.
What ended—and what did not
Apple’s UK payment information says Barclays financing, including the iPhone Upgrade Programme, stopped accepting new customers after 29 January 2026. The date marks the end of new applications, not the cancellation of existing agreements. Apple’s UK payment and financing information
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- New applications: Closed after 29 January 2026.
- Existing Barclays loans: Continue under their existing terms. Apple says existing customers do not need to take immediate action and should keep paying until the loan is complete.
- Existing upgrade rights: Remain subject to the agreement’s conditions, the account’s status, the phone’s condition and product availability.
- Replacement finance: Apple now offers a separate Flexible Finance Account provided by Creation. It is not an automatic transfer of a Barclays loan.
The old UK programme paired an iPhone with AppleCare+ in a 20-month, 0% APR Barclays loan. A programme ending or a customer choosing not to continue does not erase an outstanding balance. Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Programme terms
What existing customers should do
If you want to keep your current iPhone
Continue the scheduled Barclays payments and check your Barclays account and original loan documents for the remaining balance and relevant dates. Do not assume that your agreement has been converted to Creation finance. Apple says existing Barclays finance customers need take no immediate action. Apple’s UK payment information
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- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
If you want to upgrade under your old agreement
The old programme’s terms generally require at least 11 monthly instalments, a loan in good standing, AppleCare+ to remain in force and trade-in of the financed iPhone. Meeting the payment threshold alone does not guarantee an upgrade: the other conditions, including an eligible available phone and acceptable device condition, still matter. Check your agreement for the rules that apply to your loan. Apple’s programme terms
When an old-programme upgrade is completed successfully, Apple says it pays the remaining original loan balance to the bank on your behalf, and you give up ownership of the traded-in iPhone. A new upfront payment and a new 20-month loan apply to the replacement phone under the old programme terms. Back up your data and remove personal information before handing over the phone; the terms make data recovery your responsibility. Apple’s programme terms
If you want to upgrade before using the programme option
Apple says an existing Barclays monthly-payments customer can contact Barclays to arrange a one-off early repayment, or buy a new iPhone using a preferred payment method and trade in the financed phone. Apple says the trade-in value can be applied toward the existing loan balance. Check the amount owed and the trade-in offer before deciding: the estimate can change after inspection, and a shortfall does not disappear simply because you hand over the phone. Apple’s UK payment information and Apple Trade In
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Apple’s payment page lists Barclays’ customer number as 0800 15 22 888; check Apple’s current payment page before calling in case contact details have changed.
If you trade in but do not buy another phone
Do not treat an Apple Gift Card trade-in as settlement of your old loan. Apple says a programme customer who trades in the phone for a Gift Card without buying a new device remains responsible for the outstanding iPhone Upgrade Programme balance. Apple Trade In
How Apple’s new Creation finance is presented
Apple describes the Flexible Finance Account as a Creation-provided line of credit for purchases from Apple. Its UK upgrade page advertises these options and starting prices:
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| Advertised option | Starting monthly payment | Advertised upgrade timing | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20-month plan at 0% interest | From £39.95 per month | After 11 monthly payments | Starting figure depends on device, upfront payment and eligibility. |
| 30-month plan at 0% interest | From £26.63 per month | After 23 monthly payments | Lower monthly payment comes with a longer payment period; the figure depends on device, upfront payment and eligibility. |
These are advertised “from” figures, not universal prices or a like-for-like comparison with an old Barclays agreement. Apple also displays illustrative £1,200 finance examples: over 36 months, 14.9% interest gives a payment of £40.99 a month and £275.64 interest; 6.9% gives £36.88 a month and £127.68 interest; and 0% gives £33.33 a month with no interest. Those examples do not establish the terms available for every iPhone or applicant. Check the offer and credit terms for the product you select. Apple’s UK iPhone finance and upgrade page
Under Apple’s described Creation upgrade offer, the customer trades in the current device in good condition and its value is used to pay the remaining Creation balance. An existing Creation credit line may mean a customer does not need to reapply, subject to the lender’s terms and approval. This is a new credit arrangement, not a continuation of the old Barclays contract. Apple’s UK upgrade information
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How the old programme differs from Creation finance
| Feature | Old UK iPhone Upgrade Programme | Creation finance currently offered by Apple |
|---|---|---|
| Lender and structure | Barclays Partner Finance loan. | Creation-provided line of credit for Apple purchases. |
| Agreement status | Existing customers keep their Barclays agreement and remain responsible for its balance. | Separate new credit arrangement; not an automatic migration from Barclays. |
| AppleCare+ | AppleCare+ was included in the financed old programme. | Apple’s finance pages describe device finance; check the specific offer or checkout for AppleCare+ rather than assuming it is included. |
| Upgrade point advertised | Eligibility generally began after 11 payments, subject to the old agreement’s conditions. | Apple advertises an upgrade option after 11 payments on the 20-month plan and after 23 on the 30-month plan, subject to the offer’s terms. |
| Trade-in and balance | The financed iPhone had to be traded in for a programme upgrade; successful upgrade terms describe Apple paying the remaining original loan balance to the bank. | Apple says eligible trade-in value is used toward the remaining Creation balance under the applicable upgrade offer. |
Compare total repayments and conditions, not just monthly payments. The quoted Creation prices vary with the phone, upfront payment and eligibility, while the old agreement included AppleCare+ and had its own loan terms. A 0% advertised offer should not be read as a promise that every applicant or financing choice receives 0%: Apple also shows examples at 6.9% and 14.9%. Apple’s UK finance page
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Choose a route based on what you want from the phone
You upgrade regularly and accept ongoing finance
The advertised 20-month Creation option is designed to offer an upgrade after 11 payments. It may suit someone who replaces a phone frequently and is comfortable entering new credit arrangements, but approval and the condition of the traded-in phone matter. The monthly starting price alone does not show the total cost.
You want a lower monthly payment and plan to keep the phone longer
The advertised 30-month option has a lower starting monthly figure and an upgrade point after 23 payments. A longer term can spread payments, but compare the full repayment amount and the point at which you can upgrade with your likely ownership period.
You want to own the phone without finance
Buying outright avoids a finance application and ongoing lender payments, but requires more money upfront and does not include an annual-upgrade mechanism. Apple lists outright purchase alongside trade-in and finance options. Apple UK iPhone buying page
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- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak), 2532x1170px at 460ppi, 4005mAh Battery
- 8GB RAM, Apple A18 6-core CPU (2 performance + 4 efficiency cores), Apple GPU 4-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
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- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Straight Talk., Etc.
You want to reduce the amount financed
Apple Trade In can reduce the amount paid or financed, but there is no single fixed value: it depends on the model and condition, and Apple may revise an online estimate after inspection. For online trade-ins, Apple generally requires the device to be sent within 14 days of receiving the new phone; the process generally takes 2–3 weeks, and credit may take 3–5 business days to process after verification. Apple Trade In
You are considering a carrier or independent resale
With a carrier, compare the total handset and service cost, including promotional credits and trade-in conditions, rather than the handset payment alone. Selling independently may return more than Apple Trade In, but requires more effort and carries buyer, payment and dispute risks. No current carrier prices are established here, so compare the specific offers available to you.
Quick Recap
Questions to check before committing
- What is the remaining Barclays balance, and when does your agreement allow an upgrade?
- Are you eligible under the old terms, including payment status and AppleCare+ requirements?
- Does the phone meet the required condition, and could inspection change the trade-in value?
- Does the trade-in value cover the relevant loan balance, or will you need to pay a shortfall?
- What is the total payable under the new finance offer, and what does it say about interest, upfront payment, AppleCare+ and upgrade eligibility?
- Would you prefer continued finance, a lower monthly payment, or ownership after paying outright?
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
