Apple's secret chat: how to find the free service

Apple has a secret chat, but very few people know or find it. The free service from Apple advises you on all questions about new products and also on choosing the right iPhone or iPad. You can save yourself the trip to the Apple Store. But as with all customer meetings, you should also buy something in the end ...

Secret Apple Chat: How to contact Apple for free

• Apple wants to offer the same service on its website as in the Apple Store. In a normal chat, however, the employees would be overrun. That's why Apple has hidden the chat so that only prospective buyers can find it. True to the motto: First let the customers browse and then be available for questions.
• When you call up a product, you have to configure it to the end. In our example, we clicked through the iPhone 7, selected the color and storage capacity and then received a message below: "Help with shopping. Chat online or call 0800 2000 136."
• The chat will only start if you click on "Help with shopping" at the bottom (see picture). The free service is available between Monday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
• The number 0800 2000 136 is also displayed for all Apple products, and the link to the chat is identical everywhere. We tried the chat and show you how it works in the next paragraph.
• The staff would probably also be at your disposal for questions about problems with your device, but the chat is probably more intended as purchase advice and should therefore also be used as such by interested parties.

Tried Apple Chat: Advice like in the Apple Store

• After opening the chat window, you need to describe your problem. You will then be forwarded to the responsible employee. It only took us a few seconds.
• The employee introduced herself as Franziska and asked a few more details. We wanted to know how long is the delivery time for an iPhone 7 in black with 128 GB.
• The employee did not accept an order; this is only done online. But we were advised to take out Apple Care +. This is a two year insurance against accidental damage. However, it is not necessarily suitable for everyone.
• So keep in mind: The free customer chat also aims at the end that you shop at Apple.com.
• Tip: You can get Apple products cheaper on various pages. Therefore, compare the prices at Bestcheck beforehand to find out where you can get the cheapest iPhone, iPad & Co.

On the next page, we'll show you how to get Apple support for free if you have problems with your old Apple device.