People are complaining that Apple Store sales systems went down on new iPhone release day, and they didn't get their new phones (AAPL)

apple store SF line

There were some issues at Apple stores on the first day the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max were available.
Employees told customers that there were nationwide issues with the reservation system that people used to book a time to buy the latest iPhone.
However, Apple stores were taking additional customers at 5:23p.m. Eastern time on Friday, suggesting the system had been fixed.

Apple's newest phones, the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, went on sale on Friday.

One way to make sure you get the latest iPhone or Apple Watch on launch day is to reserve the new phone through the Apple Store app, and then head to a physical Apple store to pick it up. Apple's improved reservation system is one reason why Apple's famous launch lines seemed to be shorter this year than in previous years.

One problem, though — Apple's reservation system went down for about an hour in at least some of its retail store locations.

One reader told Business Insider that he stood in line at a location in a New Jersey mall for an hour, and an Apple employee told him that the system was down nationwide and he would have to go back on Monday.

In San Francisco, at Apple's flagship store, by 2:18 p.m. local time, the line was moving again and employees were calling out reservation times. One employee said that the store was not planning to take any more walk-ins for the rest of the day.

Even some people who prepaid for their phones in the app said they've been unable to get their hands on it, according to a slew of reports on social media.

Hey, @apple I’ve been sitting at your store for over an hour with computers down! Great launch day....
— HamSquad (@HamSquad) September 21, 2018

Epic fail! Computers are down at Apple Store in Victoria’s gardens. No one can pick up their orders. Well over an hour behind for my pickup. Crowds are not happy. @AppleNews @AppleSupport #iPhoneXS @victoria pic.twitter.com/VF8ND7bCtf
— Karen Coyne (@kdcoyne) September 21, 2018

Apple Store systems down. Can’t pick up phones today at University even if prepaid.
— Steven Sinofsky (@stevesi) September 21, 2018

@Apple ‘s web processing is down, so we are all twiddling our thumbs in the store. no organization. great job guys 👍
— Malcolm Flex (@abrorisade) September 21, 2018

I’m first in the pick-up line at this Apple store, but the system is down. Rioting likely to start soon as there are now about 20 people behind me with the 1 pm crowd coming soon.
— Matthew Miller (@palmsolo) September 21, 2018