Apple has resumed accepting credit and debit card payments for App Store and iCloud purchases in India, marking the return of a payment option that had been unavailable since 2021. The feature is currently being tested with a limited set of users and will be rolled out to more customers over the coming months, according to sources.
The move follows Apple’s compliance with the Reserve Bank of India’s card tokenisation regulations, which required merchants to stop storing customers’ card details. After the rules came into effect, Apple removed card payments for App Store transactions in India, leaving users with UPI and net banking as the primary payment options. Apple Brings Back Card Payments for App Store and iCloud in India
At present, the restored payment option supports Visa and Mastercard. Support for RuPay and American Express cards is expected to be added in the coming months as Apple expands compatibility across more payment networks.
Why Apple Removed Card Payments In India
Apple discontinued card-based payments in India after the RBI introduced its tokenisation framework to improve payment security. Under the regulations, merchants cannot store customers’ actual card details, while tokenised card information must be handled according to the regulator’s prescribed standards.
The company has now aligned its payment infrastructure with these requirements, allowing card transactions to return for digital purchases. This gives users another payment choice alongside UPI and net banking, particularly for App Store purchases, subscriptions, and iCloud storage plans.
What The Rollout Means For Apple Users
The rollout is currently limited to select users, suggesting Apple is testing the system before a wider release. If the phased rollout proceeds as planned, card payments are expected to become available to all eligible users over the next few months.
The change could simplify payments for customers who prefer using credit or debit cards for recurring subscriptions and digital purchases. It also restores access to card-specific offers and benefits that were unavailable while Apple relied solely on UPI and net banking for App Store and iCloud payments in India.
FAQs
- Why did Apple stop card payments in India?
Apple removed card payments after the RBI introduced tokenisation rules that changed how merchants store and process card information.
- Can I now use my credit or debit card on the App Store in India?
Yes, Apple has started restoring credit and debit card payments, although the rollout is currently limited to select users.
- Which cards are supported for Apple payments in India?
Visa and Mastercard are supported initially, while RuPay and American Express are expected to be added later.
- Can I still pay using UPI or net banking?
Yes, UPI and net banking remain available as payment options for App Store purchases and iCloud subscriptions.
