Delhi High Court orders Apple to cooperate in India antitrust probe on iPhone apps

The Delhi High Court ordered Apple Inc. to fully cooperate with the Competition Commission of India (CCI) in its ongoing antitrust investigation related to the iPhone apps market. The court rejected Apple’s request to pause proceedings while Apple challenges the law governing antitrust penalties. "Apple shall fully cooperate," the court said on May 14, 2026 ^{[1, 2]}.

The CCI has been seeking detailed financial information from Apple since its 2024 investigation found the company abused its dominant market position in India. That probe determined Apple held a position of dominance that could harm competition in the rapidly growing Indian smartphone ecosystem ^{[1, 2]}.

Apple denies any wrongdoing and argues that the antitrust penalty rules currently face legal challenges, urging the court to put the case on hold until the outcome of those challenges. The Delhi High Court, however, declined to stay the case, insisting that Apple continue cooperating with the investigation despite ongoing litigation ^{[1, 2]}.

The court instructed the CCI not to issue a final order in the case before July 15, 2026, allowing time for Apple to comply with information requests and for the regulatory process to unfold. The decision sets a key deadline for when the CCI must complete its review and determine whether penalties or other remedies are warranted ^{[1, 2]}.

Apple’s iPhone market share in India rose sharply during the probe period—from about 4% in 2024 to 9% as of this year, according to analytics firm Counterpoint Research. The growth in market share highlights Apple’s expanding footprint in India’s competitive smartphone sector amid scrutiny over its conduct ^[1].

The CCI’s inquiry focuses on Apple’s management of the iPhone app ecosystem, including restrictions on app distribution and payments, validating concerns about potential anticompetitive barriers to app developers and consumers in India. Apple’s cooperation in the ongoing probe and the upcoming July 15 deadline will shape the regulatory outcome in one of the world’s fastest-growing smartphone markets.