Apple has resumed credit and debit card payments for App Store and iCloud purchases in India after nearly five years, following compliance with the Reserve Bank of India’s card tokenisation rules. The move will come as a relief to users who had been relying mostly on UPI, net banking and Apple Account balance for digital payments.
The company has started rolling out the feature in phases, allowing eligible Visa and Mastercard users to add their cards to Apple Accounts. Once added, these cards can be used for App Store purchases, subscriptions such as iCloud+ and Apple Music, and other Apple services.
Apple had stopped accepting card payments in India after the RBI introduced stricter rules for recurring online transactions. The regulations required companies to use tokenised card data instead of storing actual card details. They also brought in tighter rules on payment authorisation and data handling.
To comply, Apple updated its payment systems to fit India’s regulatory framework. Under tokenisation, card details are replaced with secure digital tokens, which helps reduce the risk of sensitive financial information being exposed during transactions.
The return of card payments is also being seen as a possible step towards Apple’s long-awaited entry into India’s digital payments market with Apple Pay. However, the company still needs to complete talks with banks and secure the necessary approvals before any official launch can happen.
For Apple users in India, the change means more convenience while paying for apps, subscriptions and other digital services. Those who prefer credit or debit cards for rewards, expense tracking or automatic billing now have another option alongside UPI and existing payment methods.
Also Read: Nothing launches Phone 4b and RCB edition
