Apple Now Requires Verification For Education Store
Source: Slashdot
Verification Requirement
Apple now requires Education Store shoppers in the U.S. and several other countries to verify their student, educator, parent, or homeschool‑teacher status through UNiDAYS, ending the previous honor‑system approach. Starting today, verification is required for purchases via the Education Store in the United States, Australia, Hong Kong, Turkey, Canada, and Chile. In many other markets, such as the UK, verification was already mandatory.
Eligible participants include current and newly accepted college students and their parents, as well as faculty, staff, and homeschool teachers across all grade levels.
Verification Process
Apple is partnering with UNiDAYS to handle verification.
- Students and educators: Create a UNiDAYS ID and verify academic status by logging into their school’s academic portal, or upload a photo of a student or faculty ID.
- Homeschool teachers: Provide an identity document (driver’s license, state ID, or passport) and one homeschool document (e.g., Letter of Intent or Letter of Acknowledgment).
Most customers are verified instantly; manual reviews are completed within 24 hours. The same verification steps apply both in‑store and online for Education Store shoppers.
New Product Offering
Apple has added the Apple Watch to the Education Store for the first time, offering discounts on:
- Apple Watch Series 11
- Apple Watch SE 3
- Apple Watch Ultra 3