If you’ve been searching for a way to upgrade your MacBook every couple of years, without having to resell it yourself or shell out thousands up front, you’re not alone.
Apple doesn’t offer a MacBook upgrade program, but there are other ways to stay current without the usual hassle. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know: what Apple does offer, why some programs like Best Buy’s Upgrade+ shut down, when a MacBook upgrade program makes sense for you, and what new options are out there for a seamless upgrade process.
What Is a MacBook upgrade program, exactly?
Let’s define terms. An upgrade program is not the same thing as a trade-in. It’s a system with predictable monthly payments that lets you stay current with the latest tech by automatically upgrading your device every year or two.
Many phone carriers offer programs like this. And in fact, Apple has something like this for iPhones: the iPhone Upgrade Program lets you get a new iPhone every year with AppleCare included. It’s simple, seamless, and very Apple.
So it’s natural to wonder…
Does Apple offer a MacBook upgrade program?
No. Apple doesn’t currently offer an upgrade program for MacBooks.
Instead, it offers a trade-in program, which is more like a buyback system. You hand in your old device, Apple gives you credit, and you apply that credit toward a new purchase.
It’s great for getting money back on your old device. But it’s not designed for people who want to stay on the cutting edge. It doesn’t get you future upgrades, and it doesn’t eliminate the cycle of reselling, researching, and repurchasing every couple of years. Plus, you rarely get as much as you’d get if you resold it yourself.
So what are your options if you want to upgrade regularly?
Most people looking to offload their old MacBooks and get a new one take one of a few familiar paths:
- They sell their MacBook on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or eBay
- They trade it in through Apple or a third-party site
- Or they hang onto it far past its prime, planning to resell it someday, but never quite getting around to it
It’s a well-worn pattern. According to estimates, the average U.S. household has $2459 worth of unused electronics just sitting around.¹ That includes old phones, cameras, and yes, MacBooks.
Sometimes these devices end up forgotten in drawers. Other times, they’re tossed entirely, contributing to the 68 million metric tons of e-waste generated globally each year.²
And even when you do manage to resell, it’s not always easy. You have to figure out a fair price, write a listing, respond to messages, vet potential buyers, and hope the deal actually goes through. It takes time. And by then, your device may have already lost value.
So while you can manually upgrade by selling and buying again, it often turns into a chore. That’s why a simple upgrade plan is something more and more people are looking for.
A new kind of upgrade option
For people who like to stay current with their MacBooks, the upgrade process has always been a bit clunky. Upgraded started with a simple frustration: buying and reselling your MacBook every couple of years is a pain.
The company’s founder, a long-time Apple fan, kept finding himself stuck in the same loop of buying a MacBook, using it for 18 to 24 months for work, then dealing with the hassle of reselling it just to stay current. It felt inefficient and resulted in countless wasted hours. Worse, it felt like something that should have been solved already.
So he built the thing he wished existed.
Upgraded offers a seamless way to stay current with the latest MacBook, without dealing with trade-ins, marketplaces, or big upfront costs. It’s not a lease. And it’s not a reseller site. It’s an upgrade plan designed specifically for people who care about their gear, want flexibility, and prefer not to deal with the resale treadmill.
Here’s how it works:
- You choose the MacBook you want, with your preferred specs
- You pay monthly over 36 months
- After 24 months, you can either upgrade to a new device or keep your current one
- If you choose to keep it, you simply finish the last 12 payments and it’s yours forever
- If you upgrade, your old device is returned and the 36-month plan starts over with your new one
Prices start at $33.28 a month for the MacBook Air, and $52.17 a month for the MacBook Pro, with rates as low as 0% APR.
Most people use the program to stay up to date every two years, but some decide to hang onto their device and pay it off fully. Either way, it’s designed to be predictable and flexible. No last-minute research, no buyer’s remorse, no shady listings or flood of messages asking “is this still available?”.
How does Upgraded compare to other options?
Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Feature | Upgraded | Apple Trade-In | Traditional Leasing |
| Upgrade every 2 years | ✅ | ❌ | Varies |
| Option to keep device | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Choose your own specs | ✅ | ✅ | Varies |
| Transparent pricing | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Monthly ownership model | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| 0% APR option | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Upgraded gives you predictability, ownership flexibility, and the ability to always stay current.
What happened to Best Buy’s MacBook upgrade program?
If this all sounds familiar, you might be thinking of Best Buy’s Upgrade+ program, which launched in 2022 and quietly shut down in 2024.
It worked similarly: customers could finance a MacBook with monthly payments, then return it and upgrade to a new one after three years, or buy it outright. It was essentially a leasing model, and it partnered directly with Apple and Citi Bank.
So why did it go away?
It wasn’t that people didn’t want the idea — they did. But the program was complicated.
Many users reported that the terms were confusing, especially around ownership. It wasn’t always clear whether the device was yours, what happened if you didn’t return it on time, or how future upgrades would work. If you wanted to keep the device at the end, you had to make an extra “balloon payment” to finish it off. It was also limited to upgrades every 3 years, which some people felt was too long when they wanted to stay on the cutting edge.
Today, people still search for it, hoping there’s a modern equivalent.
And that’s where companies like Upgraded come in, offering a similar “upgrade path,” but with more transparency and control. You pick your device, your specs, and after 24 months you decide whether to keep it or trade up. No hidden conditions, no confusing balloon payments.
It’s a new take on an idea people clearly wanted, just designed for how people actually use their laptops.
Who is a MacBook upgrade program best for?
Let’s be honest: not everyone needs the newest MacBook every two years. But if you rely on your machine for work or business, or just want to avoid the frustration of trying to sell a used laptop every time you want a new one, an upgrade program starts to make a lot of sense.
It’s ideal for:
- Designers, developers, editors, and creatives
- Professionals who depend on their laptop for productivity and performance
- Students who want a fast machine but limited up-front cost
- Anyone who wants peace of mind and predictable pricing
But also makes sense for deal-focused consumers who are comfortable making monthly payments and want the affordability of paying over time.
FAQs about MacBook upgrade programs
Does Apple offer a MacBook upgrade program?
Not officially. Apple has a trade-in program where you can get credit toward a new MacBook, but it doesn’t offer an upgrade plan like it does for iPhones. You can’t finance and then automatically upgrade to a new Mac every year or two through Apple.
Can I trade in my old MacBook for a new one?
Yes. Apple and other retailers offer trade-in programs. You’ll usually receive store credit or a discount toward your next device. But the value can vary. And you still have to pay upfront for the newest model.
Is there a way to always have the newest MacBook?
There isn’t an official subscription or upgrade program from Apple, but some third-party services like Upgraded allow you to finance a MacBook and upgrade it every two years.
What happened to Best Buy’s Upgrade+ program?
Best Buy launched an upgrade program for MacBooks in 2022 but shut it down in 2024. It allowed customers to finance and return their device after 3 years, but it lacked flexibility and didn’t scale well.
Is leasing a MacBook worth it?
Leasing a MacBook can make sense if you always want the latest model and don’t care about owning the device. Just make sure you read the terms. Many leases have restrictions, fees, or complicated buyout options. Programs like Upgraded aim to offer a clearer path to ownership or upgrading.
Can I finance a MacBook?
Yes, Apple and many third-party retailers offer MacBook financing options. Apple lets you finance through the Apple Card over 12 months. Some retailers offer longer terms, but the monthly payments can vary depending on your credit.
If you’re looking to finance a MacBook with the option to upgrade later, rather than just pay it off, programs like Upgraded allow you to do both: pay monthly, and optionally switch to a new model every two years.
Final thoughts
While Apple doesn’t offer a dedicated upgrade program for MacBooks, the idea clearly resonates with a lot of people. From Apple’s own trade-in system to now-defunct programs like Best Buy’s Upgrade+, there’s been ongoing demand for a more flexible way to stay current without the usual hassle.
For now, if you want to upgrade your MacBook on a regular schedule, your options come down to selling it yourself, trading it in, or using a third-party service designed around the upgrade experience.
Some of those newer services like Upgraded are trying to make that process more predictable. Instead of managing listings or waiting for trade-in credits, you get a clear monthly plan, the option to upgrade every two years, and the choice to keep the device if you want to.
It’s not for everyone. But for people who like to stay up to date, and would rather not deal with the resale loop, it may be the simplest path forward. Shop MacBooks from $33.28/mo, or choose an iPad from $31.89/mo with Upgraded.