Airtel customers in India can now access a wider range of Apple services through selected postpaid plans, with eligible iPhone users able to receive iCloud Plus along with Apple TV and Apple Arcade without paying separately for these services.
The development follows Apple’s recent changes to its subscription structure in India. Apple announced that iCloud Plus subscribers in India would receive access to Apple TV and Apple Arcade at no additional cost. The company said the expanded iCloud Plus package would roll out during September across more than 100 countries and regions, including India.
For Airtel customers, the benefit is linked to selected postpaid plans. Airtel’s current information lists Rs 999, Rs 1,199, Rs 1,399 and Rs 1,749 postpaid plans as eligible for the Apple TV subscription benefit. Airtel says eligible customers can claim the service through the Airtel app. The benefit is available to both Android and iOS users for the Apple TV subscription, while the expanded iCloud Plus arrangement specifically applies to eligible Airtel customers using an iPhone.
The new arrangement gives eligible users access to several Apple services through their existing Airtel postpaid plan. Instead of purchasing Apple TV and other services separately, customers who meet the eligibility requirements can activate the benefits included with their telecom plan.
Apple TV provides access to Apple’s catalogue of original television series, films, documentaries and other entertainment content. Apple has highlighted titles such as Ted Lasso, Severance, The Studio and other Apple Originals as part of its streaming service.
Apple Arcade is Apple’s gaming subscription service. Under the expanded iCloud Plus arrangement, subscribers in India receive access to a catalogue of more than 200 games. The service includes games across different categories and is available on supported Apple devices.
The iCloud Plus component provides cloud storage and additional privacy features. Users can use iCloud to store and back up photos, files and other personal information across compatible Apple devices. The service also includes features designed to provide additional privacy and security.
Apple said iCloud Plus plans in India start at Rs 75 per month for the 50GB storage plan. Under the new structure, Apple TV and Apple Arcade are included with iCloud Plus rather than being sold separately to new customers in India.
For Airtel subscribers, the development could make the existing postpaid plans more useful for customers who already use Apple devices. However, the benefits are not available to every Airtel customer. Eligibility depends on the specific postpaid plan and the conditions attached to the offer.
Airtel’s terms state that the Apple TV Plus subscription can be claimed through the Airtel app. Customers on the Rs 999, Rs 1,199, Rs 1,399 and Rs 1,749 plans are listed as eligible. The company also states that the Apple TV subscription is discontinued if a customer moves to a non eligible postpaid plan, changes from postpaid to prepaid or leaves Airtel.
Customers using a family postpaid arrangement should also check the eligibility conditions. Airtel states that the Apple TV Plus benefit can be claimed by the parent connection in a family plan, while add on connections are not eligible to claim the benefit.
The activation process is handled through the Airtel app. Eligible customers can open the app and look for the section related to claiming OTT and other benefits. From there, customers can select the relevant Apple TV offer and follow the instructions to connect or create an Apple Account.
Airtel also says that customers who already have an Apple TV subscription can use the Airtel benefit under certain conditions. If the same Apple Account is connected to an existing Apple TV subscription, Airtel’s terms state that the existing subscription can be paused while the Airtel-linked subscription is activated. If the customer later leaves Airtel or moves to an ineligible plan, the previous paid subscription can be reinstated under the applicable conditions.
The iCloud Plus development is part of a broader change in Apple’s subscription strategy in India. Apple has announced that Apple TV and Apple Arcade will no longer be available as standalone subscriptions directly through Apple for new customers in India. Existing subscribers will continue to receive access through the transition to the new structure.
Apple has also said that new Apple One subscriptions will no longer be available in India, although customers who already have Apple One can continue with their existing subscriptions. The changes make iCloud Plus a more important part of Apple’s services offering in the Indian market.
The Airtel arrangement is therefore different from simply giving every Airtel customer a free Apple subscription. Only customers on qualifying plans can receive the relevant benefits, and some services may have additional device or account requirements.
For iPhone users who are already paying for an eligible Airtel postpaid plan, the offer can provide access to additional Apple services without a separate subscription payment. Customers should check their Airtel app to confirm whether the benefit has been made available to their account and review the terms before activating it.
It is also important to distinguish between the Apple TV benefit and the expanded iCloud Plus package. Apple has made iCloud Plus more comprehensive in India by including Apple TV and Apple Arcade. Airtel, meanwhile, provides qualifying customers access to these benefits through selected postpaid plans. The exact benefits available to an individual customer depend on their Airtel plan, device and account eligibility.
The latest changes show how telecom operators and technology companies are increasingly combining connectivity with digital entertainment, cloud storage and other subscription services. For Airtel customers, the Apple partnership adds another set of services to selected postpaid plans, while Apple gains another route for distributing its services in the Indian market.
Customers should check the latest terms in the Airtel app before claiming the offer because plan eligibility, service availability and subscription conditions can change. Apple also notes that specific iCloud Plus features, Apple TV content and Apple Arcade games can vary depending on the country, region and device.