Apple increases credit for returning DTK to $500 following developer outcry

Apple has increased its offer to developers holding on to its Developer Transition Kit for returning the units, providing $500 of Apple credit instead of the original offer of $200.

On Wednesday, Apple told developers it was soon "time to return" the DTK, hardware it provided to help developers update their apps to work with Apple Silicon. In a new email sent late on Friday, Apple is attempting to sweeten the deal to encourage more developers to switch their hardware over.

The original offer provided developers with a $200 credit for the App Store, which could be used to acquire an M1 Mac of the developer's choice. The codes would have been provided on receipt of the returned DTK units, and would have needed to be redeemed by May 31, 2021.

The update email seen by AppleInsider again thanks developers for taking part in the Universal App Quick Start program, before offering better compensation for developers taking part. Instead of a $500 credit that expires in May, Apple will provide a $500 credit, which can be redeemed by "the end of the year."

In the event the developer has already acquired a new M1 Mac, the credit can also be used to purchase any Apple products the developer wants.

The change in stance is also referenced early on, with Apple claiming "We heard your feedback." Shortly after the original announcement of the credit, developers complained on social media about the low value on offer, in that it doesn't even cover a third of the cost of the cheapest M1 Mac mini.

The DTK was leased to participants of its Apple Developer Program for $500, in that it was hardware that Apple retained the ownership of, and that it had to be returned eventually. Developers also had access to beta software and tools to create Universal apps, developer labs, private forums, developer resources, and technical support.

The full email to developers follows:

Thanks again for participating in the Universal App Quick Start Program.
We heard your feedback regarding the 200 USD appreciation credit mentioned in our last email. Our intention was to recognize the tremendous effort that you have put into creating amazing universal apps. By partnering with us early, you showed your commitment to our platform and a willingness to be trailblazers.
So instead of the 200 USD credit that expires in May, we are giving you a 500 USD Apple credit and extending the time you can use it to get a new M1 Mac through the end of the year. If you already purchased a new M1 Mac, the Apple credit gives you the flexibility to purchase any Apple product to help with your app development work.
We'll share details soon about how to ship the Developer Transition Kit (DTK) back to Apple. Note that the DTK will no longer receive publicly available software updates after macOS Big Sur 11.2. We encourage you to return it as soon as possible so that your development work is not interrupted. And once you return the DTK, you'll receive your Apple credit.
Thank you again for making the Mac with M1 launch such a great success.
Best regards,
Apple Developer Relations

Latest Exclusives

Latest comparisons

48 Comments

lkrupp 10521 comments · 19 Years

About 3 years ago

Who makes these decisions at Apple? What idiot thought offering $200 for the return of those $500 kits would not create outrage and controversy? Did that same idiot actually think developers, Apple’s life blood, would take it up the wazoo and be glad about it? In my opinion Apple should have offered those kits to legitimate developers free of charge. And Apple’s backdown after the controversy isn’t good optics either. Stupidity on display.

jon@ilujon 8 comments · 15 Years

Good move, Apple. That's a pretty amazing turnabout!

wood1208 2932 comments · 10 Years

Apple should have offered DTK at lower price and let them keep it. Not sure what Apple will do with returned DTK unless rip off processor,memory,etc from it and use in Macbooks products because of component shortages.

indieshack 336 comments · 9 Years

lkrupp said:

Who makes these decisions at Apple? What idiot thought offering $200 for the return of those $500 kits would not create outrage and controversy? Did that same idiot actually think developers, Apple’s life blood, would take it up the wazoo and be glad about it? In my opinion Apple should have offered those kits to legitimate developers free of charge. And Apple’s backdown after the controversy isn’t good optics either. Stupidity on display.

It was at the very least a PR mistake.

dewme 5737 comments · 10 Years

wood1208 said:

Apple should have offered DTK at lower price and let them keep it. Not sure what Apple will do with returned DTK unless rip off processor,memory,etc from it and use in Macbooks products because of component shortages.

The DTKs were leased equipment, not purchases. In all likelihood, the lease payments are fully tax deductible business expenses for companies who run their development as a business and not a hobby.

I do realize that in the current mindset of universal entitlement, anything that goes against one’s personal wishes and desires, regardless of anything else, is viewed as an offensive move by an overlord. This lease program was setup by Apple under the expectation of it being adults dealing with other adults at a business level.

Apple knew, going in, that they needed to get these DTKs back, for whatever reason, and structured the terms and conditions of the business arrangement to increase the likelihood that lessees would return Apple’s property to them under the terms that were stipulated in the agreement. Apple has not deviated in the slightest amount from following through on their part of the agreement. They are trying to be adults.

Hey, I like extra cheddar as much as the next guy, but it does bother me that a great number of people in our society, all the way up to the highest levels of power, are basically children stuffed into adult sized bodies. Anything they don’t like is instantly viewed as a personal affront and categorically labeled as an offense, and of course, they’re now the victim. Business agreements and keeping your word don’t seem to matter. If I’m not happy, it must be wrong.

I guess I’ll blame it all on us, the Baby Boomer generation, who have never quite gotten past the “Baby” part of our generational contribution. Now we’re sadly passing it along to subsequent generations who know how to weaponize “whining at scale” across the social media mobosphere until they get their way. It’s nice that Apple, as an indulgent parent, is letting junior have extra cookies just to shut him up, but it’s also a sad commentary on where we are as dysfunctional semi-adults.