Back to School Promotion

By MacRumors Staff on June 24, 2022

Apple has a long history of offering special "Back to School" promotions for its education customers. For those who qualify, Apple has typically offered benefits like free AirPods or Beats headphones, free gift cards for the iTunes/App Store or Apple Store, or free iPods, with the freebies varying by year.

In years when a free accessory item is offered, customers generally have the option to upgrade to a higher-tier model for a discounted price, such as opting for AirPods Pro instead of free AirPods and only paying the difference in price.

The promotion launches in different countries at different times of the year depending on school calendars, with those in North America and Europe typically launching in the June–July timeframe and those in the Asia–Pacific region launching in the January–February timeframe. Each promotion usually lasts about two months.

Back to School Promotion Articles

Apple Launches 2022 Back to School Offer: Up to $150 Gift Card With Mac or iPad

Friday June 24, 2022 5:08 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

Apple today launched its annual "Back to School" promotion for college/university students in the United States and Canada. This year's promotion offers a free Apple gift card with the purchase of an eligible Mac or iPad, rather than free AirPods like last year. Apple is also offering students 20% off AppleCare+ plans during the promotion. Apple is offering a $150 gift card with the purchase ...

Apple Said to Launch 2022 Back to School Promotion on Friday, Might Offer Gift Cards Instead of Free AirPods

Tuesday June 21, 2022 8:27 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

Apple plans to launch its annual Back to School promotion in the United States on Friday, coinciding with the launch of the new 13-inch MacBook Pro with the M2 chip, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In a tweet, Gurman said Apple may offer a gift card with the purchase of an eligible Mac or iPad, rather than free AirPods like last year. UPDATE: Apple has launched its 2022 Back to School...

Apple Offering Free AirPods With Purchase for Annual 'Back to University' Promo in Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Brazil

Wednesday January 5, 2022 11:22 am PST by Juli Clover

Apple today launched its annual Back to University program in Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Brazil, offering students and teachers free AirPods with the purchase of an eligible Mac or iPad. The promotion runs from January 6 through March 7. Eligible devices include the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, ‌iMac‌ Pro, iPad Pro, and iPad Air. Purchases come with free standard...

Apple's Back to School Deals Now Live in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East

Thursday July 15, 2021 3:25 pm PDT by Juli Clover

Apple today launched the third part of its annual Back to School promotion, with back to school deals now available in most countries in Europe, some countries in Asia, and the Middle East. Higher education students and educators can get a set of free AirPods with the purchase of select Macs and iPads, which is the same deal that went live in the United States and Canada in June and...

Apple Launches 2021 Back to School Promotion: Free AirPods With Eligible Mac or iPad Purchase

Thursday June 17, 2021 4:56 am PDT by Sami Fathi

Apple today launched its seasonal back-to-school sale for the upcoming school year in the United States and Canada, offering students free AirPods alongside purchases of select Macs and iPad models. Similar to last year's promotion, this year's offer includes free AirPods alongside the purchase of a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, the new 24-inch iMac, the Mac Pro, Mac mini, and the new M1-powered ...

Apple Launches Annual 'Back to University' Promo in Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Brazil

Wednesday January 6, 2021 12:13 pm PST by Juli Clover

Apple today launched its annual Back to University Program in Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Brazil, offering students and teachers free AirPods with the purchase of an eligible Mac or iPad. Eligible devices include the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, ‌iMac‌ Pro, iPad Pro, and iPad Air, including the new M1 models. Purchases come with free standard AirPods, but customers can...

Apple Extends U.S. Back to School Sale for Two Weeks, Excludes New iPad Air

Tuesday September 15, 2020 6:24 pm PDT by Juli Clover

Following the debut of the new Apple Watch Series 6, the refreshed iPad Air, and the low-cost eighth-generation iPad, Apple has extended its Back to School sale in the United States, with the promotion now ending on October 12 instead of September 29. In addition to extending the dates of the sale, Apple has also updated its Terms and Conditions [PDF] to exclude the new ‌iPad Air‌ from the...

Apple Launches Back to School Promotion in Europe, Asia, Mexico and the Middle East

Wednesday July 8, 2020 12:44 pm PDT by Juli Clover

Apple today launched its annual Back to School promotion in Mexico, most countries in Europe, some countries in Asia, and the Middle East providing qualifying higher education students and educators with free AirPods when purchasing an eligible Mac or iPad. Second-generation AirPods with a wired charging case (valued at $159) are available when purchasing a new MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac,...

Apple Launches 2020 Back to School Promotion: Free AirPods With Eligible Mac or iPad Purchase

Monday June 15, 2020 7:01 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

Apple today launched its annual "Back to School" promotion in the United States and Canada. After five years of offering free Beats, Apple this year is offering free AirPods with the purchase of an eligible new Mac or iPad. Qualifying students and educators can receive free second-generation AirPods with a wired charging case with the purchase of a new MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, iMac...

Apple's 'Back to School' Event Kicks Off in Japan, Offering Gift Cards With Mac or iPad Purchase

Wednesday February 5, 2020 8:39 am PST by Juli Clover

Apple's annual Back to School event launched in Japan today, with Apple offering students a gift card worth up to 18,000 yen ($165) when making a purchase. The highest gift card amount is available with the purchase of a MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac Pro, or ‌iMac‌, with Apple offering 12,000 yen for iPad Pro and iPad Air models. As noted by Japanese site Mac Otakara, the educational...

Apple Launches Annual 'Back to University' Promo in Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Brazil

Monday January 6, 2020 10:45 am PST by Juli Clover

Apple today launched its annual Back to University promotion in Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Brazil, offering students and teachers free Beats Studio3 Wireless Headphones or free Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones with purchase. With the purchase of an eligible Mac, which includes the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, or ‌iMac‌ Pro, students can get free Beats Studio3 Wireless...

Apple Launches 2019 Back to School Promotion: Free Beats With Select Mac and iPad Models

Tuesday July 9, 2019 7:16 am PDT by Tim Hardwick

Apple today launched its annual Back to School free Beats promotion in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and like it did last year, the 2019 edition has also gone live simultaneously in many European countries. However unlike previous years, Apple has simultaneously updated some Macs and killed off others: the MacBook Air now has True Tone display technology, and the entry-level...

Apple Launches Annual 'Back to School' Promotion in Japan, Offers Free Gift Cards With Select Macs, iPad Pros

Tuesday February 5, 2019 7:26 am PST by Joe Rossignol

Apple has launched its annual Back to School promotion in Japan this week, according to Japanese blog Mac Otakara. While the promotion typically offers free Beats headphones in the United States and Europe, the Japanese edition offers students free Apple Store gift cards valued up to ¥18,000 or roughly $165 with the purchase of select Mac and iPad Pro models. Apple is also offering...

Apple Launches 'Back to University' Promo in Australia, New Zealand, and Brazil Offering Free Beats With Mac or iPad Pro Purchase

Thursday January 3, 2019 3:42 pm PST by Juli Clover

Apple today launched its annual Back to University promotion in Australia,New Zealand, and Brazil, offering students and teachers a free pair of Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones or Powerbeats3 Wireless Earphones with the purchase of a Mac or an iPad Pro. With the purchase of an eligible Mac, which includes the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, MacBook, Mac Pro, and iMac Pro, students can get a...

PSA: Apple's 2018 Back to School Promotion is Live in Europe Today

Thursday July 12, 2018 7:39 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

Apple today launched its annual Back to School promotion in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and unlike the multi-week delay in past years, the 2018 edition has also gone live simultaneously in many European and Asian countries. Participating countries in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Ita...

Apple Launches 2018 Back to School Promotion: Free Beats With Select Mac or iPad Pro Models

Thursday July 12, 2018 7:07 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

Apple today launched its annual Back to School promotion in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and unlike in previous years, the promotion has also gone live simultaneously in many European and Asian countries. For a limited time, qualifying higher-education students, parents purchasing on behalf of higher-education students, and faculty and staff at both higher-education and K-12...

Apple Launches 'Back to University' Promo in Australia/New Zealand: Free Beats With Mac or iPad Pro

Friday January 5, 2018 11:10 am PST by Joe Rossignol

Apple today launched its annual Back to University promotion in Australia and New Zealand, offering the choice of a free pair of Beats Solo3, BeatsX, or Powerbeats3 headphones to qualifying students, teachers, lecturers, and educational staff members who purchase an eligible Mac for a limited time. Eligible models include any MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, iMac Pro, or Mac Pro,...

Students: Last Week to Get Free Beats With Mac or iPad Pro Purchase

Monday September 18, 2017 5:05 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

If you're a student, it's your last chance to get a free pair of Beats headphones with the purchase of a Mac or iPad Pro this year. Apple's annual Back to School promotion ends Monday, September 25 in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Singapore. Apple is offering the choice of a free pair of Beats Solo3, BeatsX, or Powerbeats3 headphones to qualifying students, parents of students,...

Apple Launches 2017 Back to School Promotion in Europe: Free Beats With Select Mac or iPad Pro Models

Monday August 7, 2017 1:02 pm PDT by Joe Rossignol

Apple today launched its annual Back to School promotion in Europe — links below. Apple is offering the choice of a free pair of Beats Solo3, BeatsX, or Powerbeats3 headphones to qualifying students, parents of students, and educators who purchase an eligible Mac with education pricing for a limited time. Eligible models include any new MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, or Mac Pro....

Apple Launches 2017 Back to School Promotion: Free Beats With Select Mac or iPad Pro Models

Wednesday July 12, 2017 6:55 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

Apple today launched its Back to School promotion in the United States and Canada, offering the choice of a free pair of Beats Solo3, BeatsX, or Powerbeats3 headphones to qualifying students, parents of students, and educators who purchase an eligible Mac with education pricing for a limited time. Eligible models include any MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, or Mac Pro. As usual, the...

Apple's Back to School promotions

Back to School Promotion