Apple announced a phased rollout of credit‑ and debit‑card payment options for Apple Account purchases in India, ending a four‑year period during which users could only pay with alternative methods such as UPI, net‑banking or carrier billing. The change, reported by TechCrunch, reflects Apple’s recent alignment with India’s evolving payments framework overseen by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
The company said the new payment flow will initially be available for a limited set of services, including app‑store subscriptions, iCloud storage upgrades and media purchases, before expanding to the full range of Apple Account transactions. Apple’s India head of payments, Saurabh Sinha, told reporters that the rollout is being “phased” to ensure compliance with local regulations and to smooth the integration with Indian banks and card networks.
Apple had halted card payments for Apple Account purchases in 2022 after the RBI introduced stricter rules on cross‑border digital payments and a requirement for “local payment routing.” Since then, the company relied on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and other domestic channels to process transactions. The reintroduction of card payments follows recent RBI guidance that clarifies how foreign‑origin digital wallets can partner with Indian banks, allowing card‑based settlements while still adhering to data‑localisation mandates.
Analysts view the move as part of Apple’s broader effort to deepen its ecosystem in India, a market that now represents its fastest‑growing user base outside the United States. Restoring card payments could reduce friction for premium‑service subscriptions, potentially boosting Apple’s services revenue in the region. However, the phased approach suggests Apple remains cautious about regulatory risk, especially as the RBI continues to scrutinise foreign tech firms’ financial operations.
Analysis:
– Regulatory compliance: By adapting its payment infrastructure to the RBI’s latest framework, Apple aims to mitigate the compliance challenges that prompted the 2022 suspension. The phased rollout allows the company to test the system with a subset of users before a full launch, a strategy commonly used by firms navigating complex financial regulations.
– Market impact: Restoring card payments may improve conversion rates for paid Apple services, which historically have lower uptake in India due to limited payment options. If successful, the change could narrow the gap between Apple’s services revenue share in India and that of competitors who already support card payments.
– Strategic signaling: The move signals Apple’s confidence in India’s regulatory environment and its willingness to invest in localised payment solutions. It also aligns with the company’s recent initiatives, such as expanding manufacturing in the country and launching region‑specific pricing for hardware.
Sources
– TechCrunch, “Apple brings back card payments for Apple Account purchases in India after a four‑year hiatus,” July 6 2026, https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/06/apple-brings-back-card-payments-for-apple-account-purchases-in-india-after-a-four-year-hiatus/
Story synopsis gathered from: TechCrunch — source
Corrections
If you believe this article contains an error, contact Herald Express with the source URL and supporting evidence.
