India Consumer Regulator Escalates Apple iOS 18 Warranty Investigation

India's consumer protection regulator has escalated its investigation into Apple's software warranty policy, focusing on user repair disputes that arose after iOS 18 updates and on whether Apple's refusal to provide warranty coverage for software-related faults infringes consumer rights. The regulator formally notified Apple on July 29, 2026, that the case had been upgraded to an in-depth investigation and assigned to a dedicated investigative unit. Regulatory documents list the case as involving potential harm to consumer rights.

The investigation stems from a large number of complaints from Indian users. Since iOS 18 was released in late 2024, some iPhone users have reported display abnormalities and microphone failures. Some users said that after installing the update, their screens showed green, pink or white lines, and that subsequent repairs required them to bear high costs themselves. Because Apple's software licence terms generally do not provide software warranty coverage, users have found it difficult to obtain free repairs even when they believe a device fault is linked to the system update.

In its response to the regulator, Apple denied the allegations, saying that not providing warranties for software is a common practice across the global consumer electronics industry and is not a policy unique to Apple. Apple stressed that iOS 18 underwent rigorous testing and that the company found no systemic defects, nor any issues that would cause widespread device failures or safety hazards. Apple also said it is willing to continue cooperating with Indian authorities to further explain consumer complaints and its processes for handling such issues, and maintained that its existing software licence and warranty arrangements conform to international industry practice.

In recent years, India has become one of Apple's fastest-growing markets globally. The company has continued to expand its iPhone market share in India while steadily increasing local manufacturing, making the country one of its important production bases. The investigation is ongoing, with hearings, evidence reviews and further inquiries proceeding.