iOS Unable to use Apple ID funds for 3P/IAP recurring subscriptions

[nullpc]

Not sure if this is just me but whenever I try to purchase a recurring sub from via IAP/app store, a prompt appears, then I’m asked to verify and then led to UPI mandate option even though my Apple ID funds are plenty to cover the subscription amount. Even if I go back at this point and try to select Apple funds, I don’t get any option to use the funds to make the purchase.

My existing Apple subs seem to still be pulling from the original funds so it’s not entirely useless fortunately.

EDIT: Updated the title to clarify this is just happening for 3P/IAP

 

[kuduku]

Recurring doesn't work even for me
I just add Gift card quarterly

 

[m0h1t]

Recurring doesn't work even for me
I just add Gift card quarterly

+1. Buy a sizeable Apple Store code when bank discounts are going on.

 

[nullpc]

Recurring doesn't work even for me
I just add Gift card quarterly

That works for me too but the problem is I can't use this balance for recurring monthly subs to any apps I want to buy (or at least, that's how it seems like for the last few attempts).

+1. Buy a sizeable Apple Store code when bank discounts are going on.

I buy via Amazon Pay vouchers and those get discounts via certain cards. That part is fine enough.

 

[kuduku]

That works for me too but the problem is I can't use this balance for recurring monthly subs to any apps I want to buy (or at least, that's how it seems like for the last few attempts).

I buy via Amazon Pay vouchers and those get discounts via certain cards. That part is fine enough.

I have Apple music recurring Sub . Auto debit every month from the balance added using gift cards

 

[nullpc]

I have Apple music recurring Sub . Auto debit every month from the balance added using gift cards

Yes, Apple subs work fine. My iCloud sub is getting used without any issues. Problem is with every other app/IAP.

 

[guest_999]

Problem is with every other app/IAP.

Most likely, other apps/IAP can't utilize preloaded funds on a recurring basis in India unless following RBI guidelines. Apple subs work because it started following rbi guidelines for recurring subs in India but very few merchants do that & definitely not typical apps/IAP on any app store.

 

[nullpc]

Most likely, other apps/IAP can't utilize preloaded funds on a recurring basis in India unless following RBI guidelines. Apple subs work because it started following rbi guidelines for recurring subs in India but very few merchants do that & definitely not typical apps/IAP on any app store.

Would you know more about this? I don't understand how Apple can utilize the funds but other apps can't.

 

[Slayer69]

It's Apple being Apple, also which subs are you guys talking about? YT premium?

 

[nullpc]

It's Apple being Apple, also which subs are you guys talking about? YT premium?

Any other IAP options available in 3P apps. In this instance, I was trying https://secureshellfish.app and stumbled into this issue again.

iCloud/Apple One/Music etc. doesn't seem to have such limitations.

Would you know more about this? I don't understand how Apple can utilize the funds but other apps can't.

Oh wait, I think I understand. These are not IAPs I guess.

 

[guest_999]

Would you know more about this? I don't understand how Apple can utilize the funds but other apps can't.

It seems I was wrong earlier when I said Apple is approved merchant for recurring subscriptions payments in India.

Request Rejected

So my guess is that because Apple is not in the above list it uses its "wallet balance" as funds source for recurring subscriptions but it can do this only for its own apps/services as it can take responsibility for them but it can't do the same for 3rd party apps because technically they are independent & apple can't/don't want to take legal responsibility for them.

 

[nullpc]

@guest_999 that'd explain the status quo. It's really annoying that we still don't have credit card support restored and this on top makes the whole situation worse. Not sure where Apple is putting their engineering efforts into w.r.t India.

I'll hold off on hoarding credits for the time being until I use up my existing quota. I really hoped I could use the balance for everything.

 

[guest_999]

It's really annoying that we still don't have credit card support restored and this on top makes the whole situation worse.

This whole "RBI rules following merchants only" for recurring international txns is absurd in the first place because it doesn't stop any international fraud online txns (fraudsters never use recurring subscription based txns anyway) & only cause inconvenience to genuine users. I am guessing Apple doesn't want to follow these RBI rules for "privacy" concerns as following them would mean it has to maintain a payment gateway server here in India with all the related data.

 

[nullpc]

Not gonna disagree with the privacy aspect of any major digital initiatives in the country regardless of their benefits—it’s all shite.

But while your point about true internet bad actors maybe true, there are daylight robberies going on with the “legit” apps and websites and unsuspecting users might end up raking charges via subscriptions towards stuff they didn’t really want in the first place. So, this is tbh a good thing to have as an end goal so that users always have a way to tell NO and stop the charges without having to resort to calling horrible customer support lines.

The problem I think for us Apple users is that via IAPs, Apple already has one of the best ways to manage recurring subs and protect users. But with this govt move, we are being forced to succumb to a far inferior solution and questionable privacy model. A lot of these banks tie up with some company that I never heard about before and the portals don’t ooze even the tiniest bits of confidence to how they are running the whole operation. There is no room in the rules that lets a model company go about its own way with achieving the same goal.

 

[guest_999]

there are daylight robberies going on with the “legit” apps and websites and unsuspecting users might end up raking charges via subscriptions towards stuff they didn’t really want in the first place. So, this is tbh a good thing to have as an end goal so that users always have a way to tell NO and stop the charges without having to resort to calling horrible customer support lines.

That is fine for "domestic recurring subscriptions" but just absurd for international txns because that's like saying RBI want every company outside of India to follow its rules which obviously almost no company will which is also evident in the selected list of only around a dozen or so international merchants/companies in the approved merchants list of credit card companies. Also, a good customer centric credit card (only think of amex as no other card qualifies currently in India) will take 5 min to cancel a subscription on basis of genuine reasons/evidence.

 

[nullpc]

That is fine for "domestic recurring subscriptions" but just absurd for international txns because that's like saying RBI want every company outside of India to follow its rules which obviously almost no company will which is also evident in the selected list of only around a dozen or so international merchants/companies in the approved merchants list of credit card companies. Also, a good customer centric credit card (only think of amex as no other card qualifies currently in India) will take 5 min to cancel a subscription on basis of genuine reasons/evidence.

I mean, tbh, having some kinda of 2FA is a good thing. It's scary how easily peeps can pay for stuff with their American CC. But perhaps, chargebacks are way easier to do in US vs India. The point about Amex also is another reason, very few people here might have one compared to the rest. And 5 min is still too long—it's 2024, I should be able to tap a button somewhere and end it once and for all.

I'd honestly say having 2FA is a good thing and something I wish card networks adopted globally. I hate that it's just SMS OTPs tho.

 

[guest_999]

I'd honestly say having 2FA is a good thing and something I wish card networks adopted globally.

They might but here is the thing, it will never happen as per RBI's "guidelines" so basically Indian cards will remain limited to less than 2-3 dozen international merchants for the foreseeable future for recurring subscription payment which in my opinion is like throwing the baby with the bath water because I myself had been unable to use my cards for at least half a dozen good recurring subscription Black Friday deals in last 2 years because of this absurd rule. It is like saying because ppl still get into accidents after wearing helmets the govt has decided to impose a speed limit of 40KM/h everywhere.

 

[nullpc]

Yeah, agree with that. Prolly should've given an option to override and enable international even if it takes some hoops, and maybe renew that consent every half year or something.

Right now, IDFC First WOW works fine for me everywhere. Rest have issues I guess.

 

[guest_999]

Right now, IDFC First WOW works fine for me everywhere.

All Indian cards work for typical international online payments, it is the recurring subscription type payments which don't work unless the international merchant is following rbi guidelines & is among the list of approved merchants list of credit card issuing bank for such txns. Even IDFC WoW card too won't work for such recurring subscription type txns.