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See the full story · 1 sourcesGo to the 9to5Mac home page Switch site 9to5Toys 9to5Google Logo 9to5Google Electrek Drone DJ Logo DroneDJ Space Explored About Privacy Toggle social menu Toggle dark mode Search for: Submit Toggle search form Forums Store Podcasts Apple@Work Happy Hour 9to5Mac Daily Overtime iPhone iPhone Mac Mac MacBook Pro MacBook Air iMac Mac mini Mac Studio Mac Pro iPad iPad Pro iPad Air iPad mini iPad iPadOS Watch Apple Watch Apple Watch Ultra Apple Health Apple Watch SE Vision Vision Pro visionOS Music and TV Apple Music AirPods HomePod Apple TV Guides Reviews How Tos AAPL Apple Store Apple Arcade Apple Card Apple Silicon Apple One Apple Fitness+ CarPlay Siri HomeKit Toggle dark mode iPhone Fold iPhone 18 Pro iPhone Ultra Apple just revealed a clue about its September iPhone event date Chance Miller | Aug 4 2026 - 10:24 am PT 1 Comment We’re just weeks away from the launch of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Fold , and preparations inside Apple are well underway. A new report from Bloomberg says that Apple is opening a lottery for its US retail employees to head to California and help assist at the forthcoming iPhone event in September.
The report explains that retail employees from Apple Stores can apply to work the iPhone event, where they will “help organize lines, check in guests, greet attendees, offer directions and support the security teams.”
Apple announced the lottery in an employee memo today, saying the event will take place during the first half of September.
In the memo, Apple said it was “excited to offer US store team members the opportunity to participate in the Event Support Experience Program.”
Apple has relied on retail employees to help staff major product launches for years. Workers who participated in either this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference or last year’s iPhone launch aren’t eligible for the upcoming program. Interested employees must apply by Aug. 8, and Apple will notify those selected by Aug. 17, according to the memo.
Apple typically holds its annual iPhone event during the second week of September. This year, Labor Day in the US is September 7. Because of that, Bloomberg says a “Wednesday event appears slightly more likely, as it would preserve the workday travel window Apple has historically provided for attendees.”
If that pans out, the iPhone event would be held on Wednesday, September 9. Pre-orders would then presumably open on Friday, with a release one week later.
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