Apple restricts iPhone sales online in wake of coronavirus supply issues

Apple has placed a limit on the number of iPhones and other devices that can be purchased at once, as the coronavirus continues to impact the company’s supply chain. 

CNBC reports several products in Apple’s online store are now restricted to two per transaction, including the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Max, and the newly announced iPad Pro. 

Mashable confirmed Apple’s AirPods Pro are also limited to two at once, though you can still fill your shopping bag with as many standard AirPods as your wallet can manage.

There were reports back in January that Apple would face production problems due to the coronavirus, particularly as the company relies heavily on Chinese manufacturers. Even so, the impact has been worse than expected, causing Apple to miss its revenue goals for the quarter. 

The impact of the coronavirus on Apple’s production hasn’t been restricted to its supply chain in China, either. Numerous workplaces have temporarily shut down as the virus spread across the globe, including at least one of Apple’s South Korean suppliers.

Mashable had reached out to Apple regarding the purchase restrictions and will update if we receive a response.

For most people, purchasing more than one iPhone at a time seems the sort of thing you do right before boarding your diamond-studded jet to your private tropical island. However, CNBC points out large families and people such as app developers may have legitimate need for multiple phones.

China’s iPhone sales fell by over 60 percent in February as the coronavirus reduced both demand and supply. Apple only reopened its 42 stores in mainland China last week, having begun closing them in January due to the health crisis. All other Apple stores around the globe are closed “until further notice.”