Apple no longer accepts card payments for subscriptions and app purchases using Apple ID in India. This makes it impossible for local users to use their credit or debit cards to buy apps from the App Store, get subscriptions to iCloud+ and Apple Music, or buy media content from Apple TV.
The change comes as new automatic debit rules implemented by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) came into effect last year. These have disrupted recurring online transactions. Apple’s support page, which lists available payment methods in each country it operates in, shows that the tech giant only supports online banking, UPI, and Apple ID balance to receive payments in India. According to the support page, the change happened in April.
Apple users complained on Twitter that Apple removed credit and debit card options from accepted payment methods in India to make purchases with an Apple ID, and those who had already added a card as a payment method to their account were also unable to make purchases with an Apple ID. Make any new payments. When users try to add or pay by card, Apple throws an error saying “This card type is no longer supported”.
Making users switch to UPI payment seems to be RBI’s goal for screwing up recurring payments/saved cards. https://t.co/a4SR5zsFnu
— Rebellia #GetIntoRugby (@darthdevi) May 5, 2022
“India’s regulatory requirements applicable to the processing of recurring transactions. If you hold an Indian debit or credit card and you have a subscription, these changes will affect your transactions. Some transactions may be rejected by banks and card issuers,” The support page said in the update. The change is also pushing iPhone makers to accept transactions through UPI and online banking.
For those unaware, the new rules require merchants like Apple to set up electronic instructions for customers’ cards. On the other hand, customers also need to use two-factor authentication and set up a new electronic authorization for recurring payments. Customers are required to give consent every time they need to make subsequent payments above Rs 5,000 and the system processing related to a given requirement has not been updated for the most part.
In addition to Apple, Google is also affected by the RBI update. Customers face trouble making payments and purchases on Google Play and YouTube through their cards. Netflix has introduced UPI automatic payment support on its platform.