Apple is facing closer regulatory scrutiny in India over its software warranty terms and charges for some iPhone repairs. The investigation follows consumer complaints about display and microphone problems allegedly appearing after iOS 18 updates.
India’s consumer protection regulator is examining whether Apple’s policies left customers paying high repair costs for problems they believed software updates caused. However, Apple disputes claims that iOS 18 created a widespread technical problem.
iOS 18 Complaints Trigger Repair Concerns
The dispute traces back to the 2024 rollout of iOS 18. Consumers reportedly complained about green, pink and white lines appearing on some iPhone displays after updating their devices.
According to the report, an iPhone 15 display repair could cost 27,900 rupees, or about $291. Consumers questioned why they should pay when they believed a software update had contributed to the problem.
Consequently, the regulator contacted Apple on July 29 and informed the company that it had moved to a “detailed investigation.” The notice reportedly concerns possible violations of consumer rights.
Apple Rejects Claims of Systemic iOS Problems
Apple reportedly responded on August 20. The company argued that excluding software from warranty protection follows common practices across the technology industry. Moreover, Apple maintained that iOS 18 had no systemic issue.
Apple also said the case involved only 75 complaints submitted to the regulator. Therefore, the company argued that the number represents a very small share of its users.
Software Warranty Terms Take Center Stage
Apple’s software license terms state that its software comes “without warranty of any kind.” Meanwhile, its limited warranty applies to hardware rather than software.
Apple told investigators that such language is not unusual and that other manufacturers use similar terms. The company also said customers receive these conditions during software installation.
The investigation now puts a broader question in focus: who should pay when consumers believe a software update has caused hardware problems? For now, the regulator is examining that issue, while Apple continues to defend its warranty model and reject claims of widespread iOS 18 defects.
