Apple has begun testing credit and debit card payments for App Store and iCloud subscriptions in India, a reversal that follows the RBI‑mandated Detailed Banking Regulations of 2022 that halted the company’s card acceptance. The new rules require banks to notify users 24 hours before recurring charges, enforce a tokenization framework, and, in some cases, rely on the Aadhaar biometric system. Apple’s shift indicates it has met these compliance hurdles and re‑aligned its payment infrastructure.

The testing phase targets a limited user base, with plans to extend coverage across the country within months. The move dovetails with Apple’s long‑term push to launch Apple Pay in India, a market that holds roughly 1.4 billion residents and where iPhones account for only about 6% of the smartphone share. By re‑introducing card payments, Apple opens a path for larger merchant partnerships and a smoother rollout of its digital wallet.

For consumers, the change means a return to familiar payment methods and less reliance on the UPI system for subscriptions. From an industry perspective, Apple’s compliance signals a willingness to work within India’s stringent data‑safeguard framework, potentially setting a precedent for other global players aiming to enter the market.