After a four-year hiatus, card payments are back on the Apple Account platform in India. The move signals Apple’s ongoing adjustment to local regulatory environments, but could it be too late for the company to establish itself as a player in India's crowded mobile payment space?

The phased rollout of card payments via Visa and Mastercard is part of a broader shift by tech giants adapting their services to comply with regional regulations. This follows changes to India’s recurring payments framework, which forced Apple to rely on other methods like UPI for transactions.

While the new payment method may please some users, it could also heighten competition in India's digital payment market. Apple is already grappling with regulatory pressures elsewhere, including revisions to its App Store business in Europe and changes in Japan and South Korea that have impacted app distribution and payments.

Despite the delay, Apple’s services business in India has continued to grow at a double-digit pace. However, as more users expect multiple payment options, restoring card payments becomes increasingly important for the company. The restoration may also spark renewed interest in Apple Pay, which has been rumoured but not officially launched in India.