How To Make A Genius Bar Reservation
Reading Time: 5 minutes Do you have a problem or a question relating to your Apple products? Apple offers a variety of tech support options for its customers. Some of the support options include (a) phone (b) live chat (c) email support. However, you may need to get hands-on, personal support and help from an Apple expert, especially if you are having a hardware problem (like a cracked screen problem, water damage, etc). You may have to bring your device to your nearest Apple Store.
Apple offers tech support inside every Apple Retail Store. This support is offered by the Genius Bar stations. Employees of the Genius Bar, called Geniuses, specially trained to help customers with Apple hardware and software.
In order to visit the Genius Bars, you may need to make a reservation. You can schedule a reservation time online before coming in. This article explains how you can make an Apple Genius Bar appointment.
Apple has recently changed how genius bar appointments are made. Apple has made it a little bit difficult now. It seems that Apple wants to offer support mainly via online live chat or phone calls.
What is the Genius Bar
The Genius Bar is a hands-on technical support station located inside Apple’s retail stores. When you have questions or need support for your Apple products, such as Mac, iPod, Apple TV, or iPhone, you can get expert advice and training at the Genius Bar in any Apple Retail Store.
The Genius Bar employees, called Geniuses, are specially trained and certified Apple experts. The main jobs of the Geniuses are to help Apple users with hardware and software. They can answer your questions, provide personal supports, and offers repairs. Most of the services they provide are free. They can do repairs, but you have to pay for non-warranty services if your device is not covered by the Apple warranty, an AppleCare plan.
There are two ways to make a Genius Bar reservation at an Apple Store:
- You can use the Apple Store app or,
- You can make a reservation via the Apple support web site.
1. iOS device / Apple Support App and Genius Bar appointments (the easiest way)
- Open the Apple Support app (if you do not have it, launch the App Store and download and install it – or click here)
- Tap Get Support
- Select your device. For the purpose of this article, we selected iPhone X and then Repairs & Physical Damage and “Buttons not working”. Note that some problems will only let you receive support via phone calls or live chat sessions.
- Tap Bring in for Repair and find a location and date and time and then tap Reserve. Then your reservation will be made.
- It will probably say “You don’t have any reservations”, since you are trying to make a reservation. To make a new reservation, tap Find a store
2. Genius bar appointment via the web site
Without downloading and installing an app, you can also get an appointment via Apple’s support web site. Here is how:
- Go to Apple’s Genius Bar web site. (URL: https://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/)
- Scroll down and click Get hardware help
- Select the device or the service that you need help with. For the purpose of this article, we will select the iPhone option.
- Select Repairs and Physical and then select your issue or select the “The topic is not listed” option. If you choose the “Topic is not listed” option, describe your issue, then click continue.
- Select “Bring in for Repair”
- You will be asked to enter your Apple ID and password
- Select your location. You can search by city, zip code, or name. You can also browse all Apple retail stores. Find the closest Apple Store that you want to go to.
- Select the date and time
- Then your reservation will be confirmed.
Now you have your Genius Bar reservation. Apple will also send you a confirmation email. You can easily cancel or reschedule it if you want to. Make sure you back up your device before going.
How to prepare for your appointment
Before your appointment, you may want to prepare for your appointment. Do not forget to back up your data (you can use iCloud). Make sure to bring all of the hardware (that you are having issues with) with you. For example, if you are having issues with your Mac, bring all of the accessories such as your mouse, keyboard. You may also be asked for your sales receipt.
Make sure that you know your Apple ID password (you may have to turn off Find My).
And lastly, do not forget to bring your ID with you.
Your Genius Bar appointment may last about 15 minutes. If your device needs a hardware repair, the Genius will discuss with you regarding your repair options. This may include any applicable charges.
See also: How to Cancel Your iTunes (apps, iTunes Store, iBooks, etc) Purchases
Horrible customer service. I am 71 years old. My new apple phone has 5-6 problem & my new iPad & phone aren’t compatible. I need hands on since it is multiple issues I need help but no one cares. Waited 2 1/2 hrs at at&t store only to be told to go to apple store. Also on sons account but get texts to set up my own account to pay. My phone was cut off. I fill I had a glitz on my past phone & don’t want to transfer to the new phone it is so complicated !!! that is why I need help. Impossible to make appointment. I am not Savy enough to do changes myself form texting me instructions. What a mess.By the way new iPad delivered with no SIM card. Steve Jobs would die again if he knew how awful this company is now. Invested all this money in products & no help to solve problems, they only want to sell sell. My son has all his family & employee on apple products & spends thousands, I will never go with apple again. They make it too hard because they just want you to give up frustrated & go away. This company & this world gone to the dogs!
My MacBook Air (version 10.13) won’t connect to the wifi or it says “No hardware installed”. How can I fix this?
I would like to set up an appointment at Apple STore on the Plaza in Kansas City Missouri
Do you need a genius appt to buy a new phone or switching a phone from Samsung to apple?
I have 2 different devices that need new batteries (iphone and computer). Shoudl I make 2 appointments at the genius bar?
Making Genius Bar appt online is non-existent using my MacBookPro. Went to the suggested Apple web site (url: https://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/) and after clicking through several pages….ABSOLUTELY NO LINK TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT! Needed to go to Genius Bar based on recommendation of wonderful Apple support tech i spoke with online but we could not solve the problem.
Trying to make an appointment for the genius bar is an absolutely horrible experience. My wife and I have each wasted a huge amount of time trying to talks to a PERSON. No one is available. Why should I have to drive to a store to make an appointment?
Unlke Laura (above) I live 35 minutes from the nearest Apple Store. Why should I have to drive there in order to sign up for Genius Bar appointment? More to the point, why does my Apple store (Christiana Mall Delaware) no longer include on its web site an easy-to-find list of Genius Bar offerings in the store on a monthly or bi-monthly basis? Sign me frustrated.
New system to make an appointment with the Genius Bar in a Apple store is terrible.
impossible to schedule appt with genius bar
This was so helpful! I tried on the Apple site to make and appointment online and gave up. Found this and was able to make an appointment in less than 5 minutes! Thanks so much!
I feel your frustration! I happen to live about seven blocks from an Apple store. I stroll over there, find the appointment maker and make the appointment right there and then. You have the choice to wait, probably an hour, (sometimes much less), for service, or you can make an appointment for another day. On the appointed day and time you then return and are escorted almost immediately to your “genius”. How civilised!
Terrible system for attempting to schedule appt at Genius Bar. What Genius developed this?
I need to cancel my appointment that I made for the Apple Store at the Trafford Centre for 12.55 on Thursday 20th Dec’18.
Bought an Xr was told it would come with an ATT sum card. It did not. Was told my 6se would not work. Spent almost 3 hours in the phone getting different answers. If I can not activate this on Friday I will return it
My I phone is locked again–I need an appointment at the Spokane Store–How do I do this
I can not find a phone number( land line ) for the store.
I made a reservation at the Genius Bar at Apple in Fort Worth, but they were closed. smh
I am trying to make s reservation at the Genius Bar at Apple in Nanuet.. cannot get father than Serhats iPad!
Need to make an appointment
I need a call back to fix my problem changing my Apple ID/password this has been ongoing since June 2022. At this point I am beyond irate and disgusted with Apple.