How to Get the 10% Apple Military Discount

Out of all of Apple’s discount programs, the best is probably their military discount. It’s got the highest, most consistent value — though there are a few caveats and exclusions. As a way to say thank you for their service, Apple offers this discount to active service military, veterans, retirees, and family. The discount can be used on most items at the Apple store. Exclusions include some select Apple products and category limitations, and you won’t be able to combine this discount with any others. For all the details on the Apple military discount, keep reading!

While the military discount offers low prices year-round, it’s also worth noting that you can snag Apple Black Friday deals, and we’re starting to see some great price drops this year that’ll continue through the holidays.

Download The Krazy Coupon Lady app to get the latest money-saving tips, deals, and coupons.

 

1. Apple’s military discount is 10% off.

The Apple military discount gives you 10% off almost any item at the Apple store, though there are some exclusions we’ll go over in a minute. You can get the 10% discount either in store or online.

 

2. Qualify via several different military affiliations.

The Apple military discount is available to:

• Active-duty service members
• Military retirees
• Veterans
• Dependents, including military spouses and family members
• Surviving spouses

This also includes the Coast Guard, Space Force, Public Health Service, and NOAA Corps — not just the Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marines.

Related: 109 Military Discounts to Get Throughout the Year

 

 

3. Apple military discount is available through ID.me.

ID.me is a third-party system that verifies your identity for Apple. As you go through the ID.me process, you’ll be asked for your:

• Branch of service
• Rank
• Dates of service
• Social security number

 

4. You will also need to verify your military service using one of the following methods:

• Linking to your USAA account
• Signing up with your .mil email address
• Giving ID.me permission to look you up in military databases

Or if you want to upload your military documents yourself, here are the forms you can potentially upload depending on your situation:

• LES
• ORB/ERB
• Reserve activation orders
• Enlistment contract
• DD214
• NGB Form 22
• Reserve separation orders
• Veteran identification card
• Veteran health identification card
• State ID with VETERAN endorsement
• eRAS
• DD Form 1300

 

5. Apple Card monthly installments are excluded.

There are some exclusions to the Apple military discount — including payments you’re making on Apple Card monthly installments.

When you’re purchasing something at the Apple store, you’ll have the option to pay via Apple Card monthly installments — if you already have the digital Apple Card credit card. These monthly installment plans are a way to save you on interest with 0% APR over the course of 24 months.

You won’t be charged interest on the product itself, but you will be charged interest on any taxes or shipping fees if they aren’t paid in full by your first statement due date.

Overall, there are potential pitfalls when using Apple Card monthly installments — on top of the fact that it won’t let you claim the military discount.

Related: Veteran’s Day Freebies

 

 

6. Pay attention to other Apple military discount product exclusions.

• Bose products
• Accessory trade-ins
• 8th generation iPads
• iPhone 13
• iPhone 13 mini
• iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max
• Apple Watch Series 7
• iTunes products (or purchases made in the Apple Music app)
• Gift cards

These product exclusions can change with the release of new models, and eligible items are rotated in and out of the list.

TIP: Base prices also tend to adjust when new models are released. Get the details and learn other ways to save on Apple products.

 

7. You might run into product category limitations with Apple’s military discount.

Depending on what you’re purchasing, you could run into a limit on the number of items you can buy with your Apple military discount. When these limitations are applied, they’re typically applied by product category rather than to one, specific model number.

For example, maybe there’s a limit of four items in the accessory category. If you purchased AirPods, a charging cable, an AirTag, a phone case, and a MagSafe charger, you couldn’t claim the discount on all of them. You’d only get it on four — not all five.

 

8. The military discount is usually better than the Education discount — and you will have to choose.

Taking advantage of the GI Bill? Apple also offers an Education discount to help students and educators save money, but it can’t stack on top of the military discount.

So out of the two, which is better?

Usually it’s the military discount, which is a stable 10%. The Education discount varies by product and usually ranges from 3% to 10% off.

The only time the Education discount might be better is if you can find one on a product in the military discount exclusion list above.

Related: In recognition of first responders, we put together a list of National First Responders Day freebies and year-round perks.

 

9. Stack your military discount with discounted Apple gift cards to save up to $5.

There’s no official way to stack your military discount, but we’ve got a hack to let you in on.

Buy an Apple gift card via a discount site like Raise.com. You won’t save a ton of money — it’s usually only 1% off. But remember, Apple products tend to come with high prices. So 1% on a $500 gift card is still five bucks.

Then apply your military discount to your purchase and pay with the $500 gift card you only shelled out $495 to cover.

TIP: As a new user, you’ll receive $5 off your first gift card from The Krazy Coupon Lady with this link.

 

10. Buying an iPhone? Get a military discount from your cell carrier instead.

If you’re buying an iPhone, it’s great to claim the 10% Apple military discount.

But there might be a better way to save even more. When you switch cell carriers, there’s almost always an offer for a free iPhone. It might not always be the latest model — though there is usually at least an option to get a steep discount on new models, too.

Simply switching cell carriers can be better for scoring an even larger discount on your phone. Plus, most cell carriers offer a military discount on your monthly cell phone bill. You usually can’t stack this with the Apple military discount. Over time, it would be wiser to go with the cell carrier’s military discount, as you’ll log more lifetime savings.

Be sure to check out the military discount programs from the following carriers:

• AT&T military discount: 25% off select unlimited 5G plans. Up to four lines.
• T-Mobile military discount: Access to military Magenta “unlimited” 5G plan, which they claim is 50% off. Service will be slowed after reaching 1,000 GB per month. Up to six lines.
• Verizon military discount: $10 – $25 off per month on select plans. Amount depends on how many lines you have.