Global iCloud Bundle Expansion
Apple Expands iCloud Plus Bundle to Over 100 Countries With Free Services
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Key Points
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Apple TV is expanding to 59 additional countries as part of the rollout, bringing the service’s total availability to 170 countries, according to News18.
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Eligible Airtel postpaid customers with an iPhone can access the expanded iCloud+ package through select postpaid plans. Customers already receiving Apple TV through Airtel may shift to the bundled iCloud+ plan at no additional cost.
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Apple One’s existing Indian plans cost Rs 195 per month for Individual and Rs 365 per month for Family; they include Apple Music, Apple TV and Apple Arcade, making Apple Music a key difference between Apple One and the new iCloud+ bundle.
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Apple’s senior vice president of Services and Health, Eddy Cue, said the expanded service lets users “securely store and share personal content across their devices” while accessing Apple TV originals and hundreds of Apple Arcade games.
Apple is bundling Apple TV and Apple Arcade into iCloud+ at no extra cost across more than 100 countries through late September. The Apple Post says the move expands Apple TV to 59 new markets, bringing total availability to 170 countries. In India, plans start at Rs 75 per month for 50GB of storage with support for up to five family members.
The change marks a major shift in Apple's services strategy. The Indian Express reports that Apple is ending standalone Apple TV and Apple Arcade subscriptions in India, along with new Apple One sign-ups. Existing subscribers will transition to iCloud+ automatically while keeping their data and game progress intact.
Why Apple Is Bundling Entertainment Into Cloud Storage
Apple previously sold Apple TV, Apple Arcade, and Apple One as separate services. The Times of India notes that Apple is turning cloud storage maintenance into an all-in-one content hub. The Rs 75 monthly entry point gives Apple a low-priced starting point to pull customers into its ecosystem while encouraging storage users to explore TV and gaming.
Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Services, said the expanded service lets users "securely store and share personal content across their devices" while accessing Apple TV originals and hundreds of Apple Arcade games. The Indian Express reports that Apple is also introducing Apple Music Select—an ad-free curated station service inside Apple Music specifically for iCloud+ members.
How Pricing Has Changed for Indian Customers
The new iCloud+ bundle in India starts at Rs 75 per month for 50GB. News18 reports that old Apple One plans cost Rs 195 monthly for individuals and Rs 365 for families, which included Apple Music plus Apple TV and Arcade. Full Apple Music remains a separate service at Rs 115 per month, making Apple One's main advantage the included music subscription.
Existing Apple TV and Apple Arcade standalone subscribers will transition to iCloud+ at no extra charge. The Indian Express confirms that subscribers keep their game saves and progress intact. However, new customers wanting just video or gaming must now buy the broader storage bundle, reducing choice for consumers who want single services only.
Airtel Partnership Brings Bundle to Telecom Customers
NDTV Profit reports that eligible Airtel postpaid customers with an iPhone can access the expanded iCloud+ package through select postpaid plans. Customers who already receive Apple TV through Airtel can shift to the bundled iCloud+ plan at no additional cost, expanding Apple's reach through India's largest telecom provider.
This partnership strategy strengthens Apple's presence in emerging markets where carrier bundles drive adoption. The Economic Times notes that Family Sharing across all accounts supports up to five family members on a single iCloud+ subscription, making the bundled offering attractive to larger households in price-sensitive regions.
What Happens to Existing Apple One Subscribers
Apple will no longer accept new Apple One subscribers in India. The Times of India reports that existing customers can keep their plans or switch to iCloud+ instead. The move simplifies Apple's direct subscription lineup but eliminates a middle-tier option that included full Apple Music alongside video and gaming services.
Industry analysts view this consolidation as a way to lock customers into Apple's ecosystem for longer. By bundling entertainment into storage—an essential utility most iPhone owners need—Apple makes it harder for subscribers to leave the platform. The Times of India notes that consumers are forced into unified subscription models to secure uninterrupted service when their current plans expire.
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