In a significant policy reversal, the Indian government has backed down from its earlier mandate requiring the pre-installation of a locally-developed application on all smartphones sold in the country, including iPhones. The decision comes in the wake of strong resistance from Apple, as reported in the article “After Apple Refusal, India Makes U-turn on Mandatory iPhone App,” published by StartupNews.fyi on December 7, 2025.
The policy in question centered around the government’s aim to boost the adoption of its ‘Bharat App,’ designed to integrate various public services and digital ID features. Initially slated to become mandatory for all new smartphones sold in India, the app raised red flags for international manufacturers, particularly Apple, which has long emphasized strict control over its device ecosystem and user privacy.
According to officials cited by StartupNews.fyi, Apple objected to the requirement on technical and policy grounds. The company reportedly argued that forced pre-installation of non-Apple-approved apps risked compromising user trust and conflicted with its global privacy standards. These concerns appear to have carried significant weight, prompting the Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to reconsider its approach.
The reversal marks a delicate balancing act for India as it strives to assert digital sovereignty while remaining attractive to global tech giants wary of regulatory overreach. The original mandate was seen by some observers as part of a broader push by India to encourage self-reliance in digital infrastructure. However, critics warned that such measures could alienate foreign investors and conflict with World Trade Organization norms.
A government official, speaking anonymously to StartupNews.fyi, confirmed that while the mandatory nature of the app has been dropped, the government will explore alternative methods to promote its use. Voluntary inclusion, promotional partnerships, and integration with existing operating systems are now under consideration.
Apple, which has steadily expanded its footprint in India through increased manufacturing and retail presence, has not publicly commented on the policy reversal. Industry analysts suggest the company’s influence may reflect its growing importance to India’s broader economic and technological goals.
The episode underscores the increasing friction governments face when implementing digital policies that intersect with the deeply integrated ecosystems of global technology firms. While the Bharat App itself may still find traction among Indian users, its path forward will now rely more on appeal than compulsion.
