India’s consumer regulator stepped up scrutiny of Apple’s software warranty terms after complaints that the iOS 18 update allegedly caused functionality problems on some iPhones. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) escalated the matter to its investigation wing on July 29.
The case focuses on complaints from consumers who reported display problems, including green, pink or white lines, along with microphone-related malfunctions after installing iOS 18. The regulator said some users were subsequently required to pay significant amounts for repairs and display replacements.
Reuters reported, “The CCPA’s case includes 75 complaints and alleges violations affecting consumers as a class. The regulator is examining whether Apple’s warranty practices could conflict with consumer-protection requirements when software supplied by the company is alleged to trigger device problems.”
Apple challenged the allegations and said iOS 18 underwent stringent testing. In an August response to investigators, the company said it had not identified systemic problems or safety concerns with the software in India. Apple also argued that excluding software from its limited warranty follows common industry practice.
Apple further explained that consumers receive information about software warranty limitations before installing updates. It also pointed to the scale of the issue, noting that only about 11% of iPhones were still running iOS 18 by June 2026.
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