India’s CCPA escalates Apple software-warranty probe over iOS 18 repair complaints

AppleInsider cites an example repair figure of about ₹27,900 (~$291) to service an iPhone 15 display — a large share of the device’s price in that market.

Apple’s response

In an August 20 letter seen by Reuters, Apple argued that:

• providing no warranty on software aligns with global industry practice (citing peers such as Sony and Samsung in its reply, per Reuters);
• iOS 18 had no systemic issues in India;
• the CCPA case rested on a relatively small complaint set — Apple pointed to 75 complaints and said only about 11% of iPhones still ran iOS 18 by June 2026.

Apple’s public statement, per Reuters, said it did not identify safety concerns with iOS 18 in India and would work with authorities to clarify the customer response to the software.

Separately, Apple’s limited hardware warranty generally covers hardware, while software licence terms say the software is provided “without warranty of any kind” and that users may bear repair costs if software proves defective — language the company says users see before install.

Why it matters beyond one update

Lawyers quoted by Reuters note that if contractual warranty terms are treated as an unfair practice, the CCPA could push for clearer disclosures or even changes to terms — something described as potentially unprecedented. Fines, refunds, or practice changes remain possible outcomes if investigators later find a violation; none of that is decided yet.

The case lands as Apple expands manufacturing and market share in India while also facing other regulatory pressure there. It is a different lane from U.S. App Store litigation such as our coverage of Apple’s Supreme Court Epic brief.

Bottom line

Treat this as an escalated probe with contested facts, not a completed enforcement action. Primary reporting is from Reuters’ document review; Apple disputes systemic iOS 18 damage and defends the no-warranty software clause as industry-standard.

Sources: Reuters, AppleInsider.