Your iPhone 5 Pre-Order Says “Preparing for Shipment”? Here’s How to Track It Anyway
If your iPhone 5 pre-ordered through Apple still says “Preparing for Shipment” and it’s making you anxious, worry not, it has probably already shipped but Apple’s Order Status page just hasn’t updated yet. In fact, you can start tracking the iPhone right now even though Apple’s order page doesn’t provide a tracking number yet, here’s how:
- Go to the UPS Tracking webpage and click “Track By Reference”
- Enter the phone number used for ordering the iPhone 5, enter the delivery date range, enter the delivery country (USA), and your delivery zip code, then click “Track”
- Voila, your pre-order tracking number is revealed as is the current location of your iPhone 5
If you’re obsessive like many of us, you’ll probably want to save that tracking number so you can refresh it constantly on the 21st.
For about 85% of pre-orders the iPhone 5’s seem to be sitting at the giant UPS sorting center in Louisville, Kentucky, waiting for the 20th for their overnight shipping to take effect before landing on your doorstep on launch day.
If you didn’t bother to pre-order but want an iPhone 5 on launch day, here are places where you can buy one.
This great little tracking trick comes from @DavidSmith on Twitter, don’t forget to follow us there too
Anything tips for those of us in the UK?
Try something similar with whoever is delivering the iPhone in your area of the UK
You ok pal, ring apple if your in uk and get your tracking numbre it will start with 1z**************** and be 18 figures long, that’s what I did and my iPhones dewsbury =] hope that helped
Doesn’t work for me.
Nope, got it to work. Thanks!
Me either.
Leave the dates set at 8/22 – 9/19
Mine has been “departing Anchorage, AK” since about midnight a day and a half ago!
Sign up for text alerts at UPS’ website. Mine still says anchorage, but the texts tell me Kentucky.
THANK YOU!
I’M RELIEVED NOW!
:)
It look like unsuccessful in Australia
Worked for me, but same as Danny – departing Anchorage.
Tried my buddies who preordered from the carrier and doing a store pickup, his didn’t work.
Woohoo! Thanks a bunch!
Awesome! Mine are in Kentucky!
Funny how I pre-ordered mine Sept 14th early morning and still says order processing and deliver Oct 3 for Texas
If you didn’t do it between 12am-1am Sept 14th you most likely got bumped from a release date delivery.
Couldnt buy it between 12am and 3:30am Sept 14th Apple store said they were updating everytime i checked
I got my order in at 12:54AM. Even Bragged to family that I would have one on the 21st only to find out later I have a 10/3 delivery date. Ouch.
Ahhh!!! I am doomed. It did not work for me.
Thank you guys!
Thanks so much for this information!
My status said preparing all week, now I can relax.
I love this site, OSXDaily always posts unique and useful
information. Thanks again!
Also- this is only Apple.com orders that use UPS. Some are coming from FedEx that ordered elsewhere.
Mine departed anchorage as well about a day and half ago. They’re most likely being delayed purposely to prevent early deliveries.
I think you are absolutely correct. Mine zipped through Asia super fast, but has sat in Kentucky for the past 36 hours. I think once they leave the distribution centers then we will get the shipping notifications from Apple.
Must use the billing account phone number…not the iphone number(s) (unless they are the same)…
I have been worrying for a day for nothing!
One is Louisville, the other left Anchorage…
You guys are awesome! Thanks! Apple rep didn’t know what the tracking information was for my phone.
No luck , I ordered at 12:01 am on the 14th and the Apple site states a 21st delivery , but can’t get UPS or Fedex to show anything based on the tip you provided on here :( I want my iPhone now!
I can’t find my information on UPS either which I think is more concerning than my order just sitting there on Apple’s website stating “Preparing for shipment”! Oh the anxiety!!
Try your home telephone number – or whatever phone number is listed below your name on the order
Thanks for this tip! I can now look forward to having an iPhone 5 in hand by 10:30 AM Friday!
didn’t work for me but my delivery date still says 9/21 and haven’t gotten an e-mail saying it was pushed back and bought it within the first hour on sept 14, any thoughts?
IT WORKED! used the wrong number! thank you!
Use billing phone number
omg yes! I was seriously getting worried! Says mine is scheduled for delivery on Friday at 10:30AM woo hoo! However…..mine is in ALASKA and I’m in NYC O_O
Doesn’t work in France .. My tracking number 8217577169 doesn’t work since I received it yesterday morning.
Use your billing phone number. Not the cell
I have been checking mine all week and it is still sitting in Kentucky. How can you say it’s “on time” when your due to be in my hands in Maryland tomorrow!
Been obsessing for the last 3days. You’re a god send. Thank you.
BTW, I just got a shipment notification this a.m from Apple…too late!!
My baby is now in KY heading to SF tomorrow!!
Come to mama!!
Mine wont work! Help me..
What about those of us who didnt order on the first day and dont have shipment number yet? Verizon told me my guarenteed delivery date is before october 5th but didnt give me an exact date
I ordered mine sept 29 and idk what dates I should put. Please help