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How to Invest in Apple Stocks in 2025
Ruby Layram
12th Jun 2025
Love your iPhone? Obsessed with your Apple Watch? What if you could own a piece of the company behind them?
Yep, we’re talking about investing in Apple Inc. A tech giant so big it’s worth more than most countries. But how do you actually buy Apple shares if you live in the UK? Do you need to be some kind of Wall Street wizard?
Absolutely not.
In fact, buying Apple stock from the UK is surprisingly simple. We’ll walk you through it step-by-step in this friendly, jargon-free guide.
Why Invest in Apple?
Let’s start with the obvious. What makes Apple a good investment in 2025?
Here are a few reasons Apple is one of the most popular stocks on the planet:
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Strong brand power: Apple’s got a cult-like customer base and some of the most loyal fans in the tech world.
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Consistent profits: It churns out eye-watering profits year after year.
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Regular dividends: Unlike some tech giants, Apple actually pays investors a little income too.
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Innovation: It’s not just phones. Think services, chips, AI, wearables, and maybe even that elusive Apple Car.
Basically, it’s a global company with a rock-solid business model and billions in the bank.
That said, even Apple isn’t risk-free (nothing is!), so always make sure it fits your investment goals.
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Can You Buy Apple Shares from the UK?
Absolutely. Apple is listed on the NASDAQ in the US under the ticker AAPL, but UK investors can buy it easily through a UK-based investment platform.
Even better, some platforms let you buy fractional shares, so you don’t need to fork out hundreds of pounds for a full share. You can start small and build up over time.
How to Invest in Apple: Step-by-Step
Let’s break it down into simple steps.
1. Choose a Broker That Offers US Shares
First things first, you need an investment account (aka a “broker”) that lets you trade US stocks like Apple.
Popular options in the UK include:
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Hargreaves Lansdown
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AJ Bell
Before choosing, compare:
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Fees (some charge per trade, some are commission-free)
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Foreign exchange rates
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Whether they offer fractional shares (handy if you want to invest less than the full price of one share)
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2. Fill Out a W-8BEN Form
This is a US tax form required for non-American investors. It reduces the tax you pay on dividends from 30% to 15%.
Most brokers make this a quick online tick-box exercise. It’s boring, but it’s important, especially if you’re investing in dividend-paying stocks like Apple.
3. Fund Your Account
Transfer money from your bank into your investment account.
Heads up: When you buy US shares, your pounds will be converted to dollars. Most brokers handle this automatically, but watch out for foreign exchange fees, which can eat into your returns.
Some platforms (like Interactive Investor) even let you hold cash in dollars to save on conversion costs if you’re buying US stocks regularly.
4. Search for Apple (AAPL)
Once your money’s in, it’s time for the fun bit.
Search for AAPL (Apple’s ticker symbol) on your platform. You’ll usually see the current price, some basic company info, and a “Buy” button.
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5. Choose How Much You Want to Invest
You’ve got two options here:
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Buy full shares: Great if you’ve got enough cash to buy whole shares (usually $150–$200 each, but check current prices).
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Buy fractional shares: Some brokers let you invest as little as £1 in a stock, even if you can’t afford a full share.
Either way, investing in Apple doesn’t have to break the bank.
6. Place Your Order
You’ll usually be offered two main types of orders:
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Market order: Buys the share at the current price
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Limit order: Only buys if the price drops to a level you set
Market orders are quicker and simpler, but limit orders give you a bit more control.
7. Track Your Investment (But Don’t Obsess)
Once you own Apple shares, you can check on them whenever you like, but try not to check every 5 minutes! Investing is a long game.
You’ll also receive quarterly dividends, which are small payments made to shareholders from Apple’s profits. These usually get paid directly into your investment account.
Can I Hold Apple Shares in an ISA?
Here’s the tricky part.
You can’t hold individual US shares like Apple directly in a Stocks & Shares ISA, because they’re not listed on a recognised UK exchange.
BUT, there’s a clever workaround:
You can invest in funds or ETFs that include Apple, and hold those in your ISA.
Here are a few options:
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iShares S&P 500 ETF: Apple is usually the top holding
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Vanguard U.S. Equity Index Fund: Another ISA-friendly option with Apple exposure
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Fundsmith Equity Fund: A popular active fund that has historically included Apple
So if you want to invest in Apple and keep things tax-free, these funds are a great option.
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Should You Invest in Apple in 2025?
As always, no one can predict the stock market. But Apple continues to be one of the most valuable, innovative, and profitable companies in the world.
Here are some pros and cons to consider:
Pros:
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Consistent performance
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Global brand strength
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Pays dividends
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Exposure to AI, services, and tech growth
Cons:
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Valuation is high, so future gains may be slower
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Heavy reliance on iPhone sales
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Global economic downturns can hit consumer tech stocks
If you’re building a long-term portfolio, Apple can be a solid core holding, but make sure you diversify. Don’t go all-in on one company, no matter how shiny the logo is!
Quick Checklist: What You Need to Buy Apple Shares from the UK
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UK broker with US stock access
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W-8BEN form completed
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Pounds to invest (your platform will convert it to dollars)
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Search for AAPL and place your order
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Decide if you want direct shares or to invest via a fund in your ISA
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OUR FEATURED BROKER XTB IS OFFERING 0% COMMISSIONS!
Access thousands of stocks and shares from around the world and pay 0% commissions.
Final Thoughts
Apple might be known for sleek design and smart gadgets, but it’s also been a smart investment over the years. If you’re after a reliable, well-established company to add to your portfolio, Apple could be just the ticket.
Just remember, investing always carries risks. Only invest what you can afford to leave alone for the long haul, and do your research.
If you’re keen to keep on top of the latest investing news why not sign up to our fortnightly MoneyMagpie Investing Newsletter? It’s free and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Disclaimer: MoneyMagpie is not a licensed financial advisor and therefore information found here including opinions, commentary, suggestions or strategies are for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only. This should not be considered as financial advice. Anyone thinking of investing should conduct their own due diligence. Companies listed above are not necessarily endorsed by Money Magpie. When investing your capital is at risk.
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