Apple has started reintroducing card payments for Apple Account purchases in India, marking a return to a payment option that had been unavailable for more than four years. The rollout is being introduced gradually for eligible users.
With the update, customers in India can add supported Visa and Mastercard credit or debit cards to their Apple Account. This makes it easier to pay for services such as iCloud+ and Apple Music, along with App Store purchases.
Apple had paused card-based payments in 2022 after India's recurring payment rules changed. Since then, users have relied on UPI, net banking, and Apple Account balance for digital purchases. The new move shows how global tech companies are adapting their services to local payment systems and regulatory standards.
According to people familiar with the rollout, Apple has already made the backend adjustments needed to support the updated framework. The company has also refreshed its support information to reflect the change.
The Reserve Bank of India's recurring payment framework, introduced in stages from 2021, pushed merchants and payment providers toward stronger authentication and tokenized card use. As more users in India expand their digital subscriptions, flexible payment options are becoming a key part of the experience.
The return of card payments may also renew interest in Apple's broader payments strategy in India. For now, the update mainly strengthens convenience for existing Apple users and signals a more locally tuned digital ecosystem. Over time, such changes could shape a smoother and more connected subscription future.