Shareholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016	Apr. 30, 2016	Sep. 26, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Maximum amount authorized for repurchase of common stock		$ 175,000,000,000	$ 140,000,000,000
Share repurchase program, utilized amount	$ 144,000,000,000

The total amount utilized to date under share repurchase program.

No definition available.

Name:	aapl_AmountUtilizedUnderShareRepurchaseProgram
Namespace Prefix:	aapl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant