Apple has officially launched its final holiday push by offering free two-hour delivery on eligible, in-stock items, giving last-minute shoppers in the U.S. and Canada a way to dodge the store crowds today. This limited-time deal is available through noon on December 24 in most major cities, effectively waiving the standard $9 courier fee. Over in Australia, the company is running a similar three-hour delivery offer during the same window.
Fast delivery from local shelves to your door
This express program works by tapping into Apple’s own retail stores and pairing them with local couriers like Uber Eats and Postmates. Because these orders are being grabbed from local shelves, the deal only applies to what’s physically in stock nearby. Most of the heavy hitters are included: iPhones, iPads, Macs, the Apple Watch, AirPods, Apple TV, and Beats gear. However, don’t expect it for custom-built Macs, anything with an engraving, or certain smaller accessories. For those items, your best bet is still Apple’s standard express shipping, which can still get some accessories to you by the end of today.
The timing here is key. Apple is clearly trying to capture that final wave of holiday spending by making the buying process as painless as possible. With courier networks already feeling the holiday squeeze, dropping the fee and promising two-hour windows is a smart way to keep people shopping directly through Apple rather than wandering off to big-box retailers or third-party sites.
A safety net for last-minute shoppers
For the person who realized they forgot a gift on the 24th, this is a massive convenience boost. Most major shipping deadlines have already passed, leaving in-store pickup as the only other real choice. This system creates an “ultra-fast” alternative for those who can’t or don’t want to deal with a mall parking lot on Christmas Eve. It also helps secure popular items like the latest AirPods before the local store sells out entirely.
Apple is also keeping its extended holiday return window active to give buyers some peace of mind. Most products received between November 12 and December 25, 2025, can be returned until January 8, 2026. That extra time is a nice cushion if a gift isn’t quite the right fit.
Looking ahead, we can expect Apple to keep leaning into this kind of “on-demand” logistics. As retail competition gets fiercer, these quick-delivery options are becoming a standard part of their playbook. How well this “noon on the 24th” deadline goes will likely dictate just how hard Apple pushes these convenience-first strategies in 2026 and beyond.
