How to contact Apple support: All methods, explained | Digital Trends Skip to main content

How to contact Apple support for help with your Mac, iPhone, and more

The Apple Support number and other contact methods, explained

There’s no denying Apple’s reputation for producing some of the coolest and most cutting-edge tech for folks like you and me. From desktops and laptops to phones and tablets, there’s an Apple product for just about every hardware niche, so there’s a good chance you’ll end up owning one of the company’s products down the line (if you don’t already). And in the event that you need to reach out to Apple if there’s something wrong with your computer, we’re glad to report you’ll be in good hands.

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

5 minutes

What You Need

  • Telephone or Apple device

Apple actually has several support channels you’ll have access to if your MacBook or iPhone starts giving you trouble. Today, we’re going to teach you about all the different Apple service options, and how you can get in touch with a representative.

Several Apple Store employees.
Apple

How to contact Apple support number

A telephone is the most straightforward way to contact Apple support. It's also the fastest, as the agent will be focused solely on you and can walk you through any instructions. However, if you're having problems with your iPhone and don't have another phone around, you'll need to look at other options.

Step 1: You can call Apple at 1-800-275-2273. From there, you'll be asked about what Apple device or service you're calling about.

Step 2: For education-related questions, you can get in touch with Apple at 1-800-800-2775 for anything specific to school-based devices, ranging from elementary school up to college-level.

Step 3: For support specific to Apple Cash, you can call 1-877-233-8552 and follow the instructions from there.

How to contact Apple through Apple Support app

The easiest way to contact Apple support is to use the Apple Support app. It comes pre-installed in all iPhones and iPads.

You can call Apple directly from the app or initiate a chat.

The app is also a fantastic knowledge base with tips and basic troubleshooting advice. You can also book appointments at the local Genius Bar with it.

Step 1: Swipe right on your iPhone or iPad to get to the App Library and find the Utilities folder.

Step 2: Open the Support app.

iPad OS Utilities folder with the Apple support app circled in red.
Apple / Digital Trends

Step 3: If this is your first time using it, you'll be greeted with a welcome screen.

Press Continue.

Step 4: The app will automatically display the device you're using. If you need support for a different device, tap on Products in the upper-left corner.

Step 5: Once you choose the Apple product or service for which you need support, you'll be offered a menu of the most common problems.

Choose the one which best reflects your issue.

Now you can choose to book an appointment at the nearest Genius Bar, chat on iMessage with support, or call support.

How to use the Apple Support website

The Apple Support website is the exact same as the Apple Support app. You can access it from a Mac or PC.

Step 1: Head to support.apple.com

Step 2: Choose the device or service with which you need help.

The main Apple Support website.
Apple / Digital Trends

Step 3: Choose the problem you're having with this device or service.

A selection of possible issues on the Apple support website.
Apple / Digital Trends

Step 4: Next, you can choose to send in your device or schedule an appointment at a Genius Bar.

But if you scroll down, you'll see options to contact Apple support.

Choose to chat via iMessage if you have a working iPhone, iPad, or Mac, or to call Apple if you have a phone.

Just head to an Apple Store

The least convenient method of contacting Apple support is also one of the most effective. You can head to a Genius Bar at your nearest Apple Store.

There are a few things to remember. For starters, there could be a long wait, depending on how busy the store is. The Genius Bar works on a first-come, first-serve basis with scheduled appointments taking priority.

Secondly, due to COVID precautions, some Apple Stores may require an appointment in order to visit the Genius Bar. You need to check the status of your local Apple Store before waltzing in.

Here's how.

Step 1: Head to apple.com on your phone or computer.

Step 2: Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Find A Store under the Apple Store section.

Apple support website with choices to message support or call them.
Apple / Digital Trends

Step 3: Enter your ZIP or Postal Code and let the site work its magic!

How to get help through the Apple support community

Finally, if you don't feel like chatting or talking to anyone, and you feel confident enough in your technical abilities, you can try the Apple support community.

This is an official Apple forum where members post questions relating to their tech problems, and other members try to solve them. Some of the members are official Apple technicians, providing excellent solutions to a variety of problems.

You don't need to be a member to browse the community. Chances are most of the problems you'll deal with are already found here.

Step 1: Head to the Apple Support Community at discussions.apple.com, or Google your issue and the community will most likely be in the first results.

Step 2: Scroll down a little and select the device for which you need help.

Step 3: Scroll down and see the discussions.

At the end of the day, the telephone remains the fastest way to contact Apple support. iMessage is probably the next fastest way, and both the Apple website and Apple support app provide pain-free ways to use both. While visiting a Genius Bar is time-consuming, it offers the best hands-on approach to fixing any issues you have with your Apple hardware. However, we highly recommend booking an appointment ahead of time.

No matter your issue, Apple usually has a solution for it. There are a variety of ways to contact Apple support. It all depends on your preferences and abilities.

Editors' Recommendations

Nathan Drescher
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Nathan Drescher is a freelance journalist and writer from Ottawa, Canada. He's been writing about technology from around the…
iMac deals: New, renewed and refurbished iMac computers
Apple iMac with Retina 5K Display review close

If you're in the Apple ecosystem and need a desktop computer rather than something like a MacBook, then you'll want to go for the Apple iMac, which is one of the best all-in-one computers on the market. There are quite a few screen sizes and specs to pick from, and if you're willing to go for a renewed option, you can get some older yet still powerful iMacs for a great price with desktop deals. Even if you aren't, there are still some great Apple deals you can take advantage of to save yourself some money, which is why we went out and scoured the internet for the best deals we could find. If you need something portable, check out MacBook deals. For extra savings, check out refurbished MacBook deals.
Apple 21.5-inch iMac (2018) Renewed -- $409, was $460

Even cheaper than any of the MacBook deals going on, this Apple 21.5-inch iMac (2018) might be a few years old but it offers plenty of juice for the price. That's the beauty behind many iMacs -- they last a long time thanks to offering reliable hardware and the benefits of MacOS, which tends to mean they stay fast for awhile. In the case of the 2018 21.5-inch iMac, you get a 2.7GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5 processor paired up with 16GB of memory which is a great set of specs for ensuring you can get plenty of work done.

Read more
Best Apple deals: Save on AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad, MacBook
Apple MacBook Air M1 open, on a table.

Apple has been a big player in the tech space for a long time, and it has pioneered some of the technology we use today, such as best wireless earbuds and the best smartwatches. If that wasn't enough, it even makes some of the best best laptops and best tablets on the market, so pretty much whatever tech you're looking for, Apple has an excellent version of it. Not only that, but Apple's ecosystem is also easily one of the best available, with only Samsung really competing in that space, and if you're already in the Apple ecosystem, then it makes sense to continue buying stuff from Apple.

Of course, Apple tech can be quite pricey, which is why we've gone out and searched through various big retailers to find you some of the best deals we can find. That includes everything from the MacBook deals, AirPods deals, Apple TV deals and Apple Watch deals to the AirTag, so hopefully, you can find the perfect deal that fits your needs and budget.
Apple AirTag (4-Pack) -- $80, was $99

Read more
The new iPad Pro would be perfect, if only it were a Mac
A person gaming on the M4 iPad Pro and playing Diablo Immortal.

It’s no secret that I’ve been cheering on Apple’s gaming advances over the last year or so. Long-suffering Mac gamers have gone from being the forgotten also-rans of Apple’s ecosystem to feeling on top of the world, all in a very short period of time. But there’s one vital piece missing from the puzzle, and Apple’s new M4 iPad Pros have made it incredibly obvious.

I’ll admit, Mac gamers have been treated well in recent times. Not only have we had phenomenal hardware advancements in the form of the M3 Max chip -- which is a genuine gaming chip so cool and quiet that you’d be fooled into thinking it’s not -- but there’s also been a slate of top-tier games arriving on Apple’s platform, including my beloved Baldur’s Gate 3. It’s a good time to be a Mac gamer.

Read more