The Apple Store app has launched in India, bringing the same shopping experience as in other countries where the software is available.
Apple’s been operating in India directly and indirectly for nearly 25 years. A few years ago, the company expanded its retail presence in the most populous country in the world (1.45 billion people) by debuting its online and retail stores there.
Friday, January 17, 2025, the company announced that Indian fans can browse and purchase iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches and other products and accessories via the official Apple Store app, which launched on the App Store in India.
The move means the company now offers similar or the same shopping experience as in other parts of the world via its online and offline stores and the shopping app. Indian customers can use the iPhone and iPad app to buy products directly from Apple while receiving personalized recommendations.
The Apple Store app expands Apple’s presence in India
“At Apple, our customer is at the center of everything we do, and we are thrilled to introduce the Apple Store app to reach even more users in India, further deepening our connections,” said Karen Rasmussen, Apple’s head of Retail Online. With the app, “customers will discover a new and seamless way to shop for all our incredible products, receive personalized support and really experience the best of Apple.”
The app has five tabs: For You, Products, Go Further, Search and Bag. The Products tab lets you browse products, accessories, services, trade-ins, and financing options. The For You tab brings personalized recommendations. Here, you can favorite products and organize them for faster access.
The app supports build-to-order options for Macs, like extra memory and additional storage. “Once a customer purchases their new product, the Go Further tab can connect them to Apple’s knowledgeable Specialists for online Personal Setup sessions,” according to the announcement.
“They can also receive tips on getting the most out of their devices through short videos or by signing up for complimentary Today at Apple sessions at their local Apple Store, which aim to inspire and empower customers to unlock their full potential.”
Other options include free engraving for AirPods, iPad, Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil and Air Tag with a combination of emoji, names, initials and numbers. Apple says Indian fans will soon be able to “schedule a fun digital gift message.”
Apple’s growing presence in the Indian market
Apple used to rely on small shops and specialized electronics outlets for Indian sales until 2023. That’s when Apple opened its first two retail stores in Delhi and Mumbai. These stores initially captured record-breaking sales and remain highly trafficked.
Three years before the first brick-and-mortar Apple store opened in India, the company tested the waters by opening the Indian online store at apple.com/in. The company said at the time that the online store provides customers with “the same premium experience found in Apple store locations around the world, delivered by online team members who are ready to offer their expertise. “
Apple will open four new Indian stores in 2025 in Bengaluru, Pune and other parts of Delhi and Mumbai. Also, the Cupertino company operates manufacturing facilities in the country in cooperation with its production partners. In 2017, the company began assembling some iPhone models in the country.
Apple has also been producing the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models in India since 2024 in order to diversify production beyond China. The year before, Apple offered locally-made iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models.