About a year ago there was a change to that. If you want to buy direct from Apple and make monthly payments instead of paying all at once they require you to choose one of AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, or Boost.
For some models of phone you are then required to enter a valid phone number for that carrier, and proof that it is your number, in order to be allowed to add the phone to your order.
For other models they don't ask you to enter a number and you can go ahead and complete your order.
Note: the phone will arrive unlocked, so you are not stuck with the carrier that you specified when ordering. From what I've read the phone will arrive configured to use that carrier, but during setup when it asks to setup your number just tell it you want to set it up later. It may ask more than once. Just keep saying you will do it later. When setup is finally done, you can then initiate setting up any carrier you want.
Here's how it currently works for each phone model.
• 16 Pro: not required to enter number, except if you choose Boost as your carrier.
• 16: required to enter number.
• 14 and 15: required to enter number for all carriers except AT&T.
• SE: required to enter number if you choose Verizon or Boost, not required if you choose AT&T or T-Mobile.
Before the 16 came out the pattern was similar. The 15 Pro did not require giving your number. The non-pro 15 required giving you number no matter which carrier you selected. The 14 and SE required it with some and not with others.
An alternative approach that I've seen several people on Reddit claim worked for them was to select to pay in full using their Apple Card when the ordered, which allows ordering without selecting a carrier. Then they call Apple Card customer support and say they would like to switch that charge to Apple Card Monthly Installments.
In summary, if you want to buy from Apple on a monthly payment plan:
• If you use AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, or Boost no problem. Go ahead and give your account information.
• If you use some other carrier and are buying a phone other than a non-pro 16, choose AT&T as your carrier, and then decline to activate AT&T during initial setup. After that you can initiate activation with your carrier.
• If you use some other carrier and are buying a non-pro 16 the only option seems to be to select to pay in full, put it on your Apple Card, and then get Apple Card customer support to switch it to installments.
For some models of phone you are then required to enter a valid phone number for that carrier, and proof that it is your number, in order to be allowed to add the phone to your order.
For other models they don't ask you to enter a number and you can go ahead and complete your order.
Note: the phone will arrive unlocked, so you are not stuck with the carrier that you specified when ordering. From what I've read the phone will arrive configured to use that carrier, but during setup when it asks to setup your number just tell it you want to set it up later. It may ask more than once. Just keep saying you will do it later. When setup is finally done, you can then initiate setting up any carrier you want.
Here's how it currently works for each phone model.
• 16 Pro: not required to enter number, except if you choose Boost as your carrier.
• 16: required to enter number.
• 14 and 15: required to enter number for all carriers except AT&T.
• SE: required to enter number if you choose Verizon or Boost, not required if you choose AT&T or T-Mobile.
Before the 16 came out the pattern was similar. The 15 Pro did not require giving your number. The non-pro 15 required giving you number no matter which carrier you selected. The 14 and SE required it with some and not with others.
An alternative approach that I've seen several people on Reddit claim worked for them was to select to pay in full using their Apple Card when the ordered, which allows ordering without selecting a carrier. Then they call Apple Card customer support and say they would like to switch that charge to Apple Card Monthly Installments.
In summary, if you want to buy from Apple on a monthly payment plan:
• If you use AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, or Boost no problem. Go ahead and give your account information.
• If you use some other carrier and are buying a phone other than a non-pro 16, choose AT&T as your carrier, and then decline to activate AT&T during initial setup. After that you can initiate activation with your carrier.
• If you use some other carrier and are buying a non-pro 16 the only option seems to be to select to pay in full, put it on your Apple Card, and then get Apple Card customer support to switch it to installments.