Apple has resumed acceptance of eligible Visa and Mastercard payments for Apple Account purchases in India, reversing its 2022 suspension linked to regulatory changes in recurring payments processing.
- Apple reinstates Visa and Mastercard payments for Indian users
- Change aligns with India's stringent recurring payments regulations
- Rollout expands gradually, improving payment flexibility
What happened
Apple has restored the ability for users in India to make purchases using eligible Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards directly through their Apple Account. This applies to subscription services such as iCloud+ and Apple Music, as well as transactions within the App Store. The phased rollout follows backend updates enabling compliance with India’s regulatory framework governing recurring payments.
Since May 2022, Indian consumers had to rely on alternative payment methods like UPI, net banking, or topping up their Apple Account balance, after Apple suspended card payments due to new rules implemented by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Apple has now updated its support materials and initiated a gradual expansion of card payment acceptance across its user base.
Why it matters
The initial suspension arose from RBI’s phased enforcement of a 2021 framework designed to enhance security and transparency for recurring card payments. Requirements included stronger authentication, use of tokenized card credentials, and ending the practice of direct card data storage by merchants. These changes disrupted recurring billing for many domestic and global players, including Apple.
Apple’s reversal underscores the growing influence of jurisdiction-specific regulations on digital platforms. The company must now tailor its payment infrastructure and App Store operations for varying national rules. Similar regulatory adaptations have been seen in the EU, Japan, and South Korea, affecting Apple’s fee models and payment options worldwide.
What to watch next
This restoration of card payments may rejuvenate discussions around Apple Pay’s potential launch in India, which has faced hurdles related to commission disagreements with local banks. However, Apple has not formally announced plans to introduce Apple Pay in the market as of now.
Industry analysts note this move as a critical step to remove friction in subscription renewals, especially as Apple’s user base and services revenue grow in India. Expanding payment flexibility is likely to become increasingly important for sustaining Apple’s double-digit growth in its services segment.