How to Invest in Apple Shares from India

Imagine this: Five years ago, a ₹1 lakh investment in Apple would have quietly grown to nearly ₹2.5 lakh! No trading, no market timing. Just staying invested. 

That’s the Apple effect.

Founded in 1976 in a small garage in California by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne, Apple has become a tech empire today. From the iPhone to the Apple Watch, it’s a brand that shapes how the world communicates, works, and thinks. 

Apple Inc. (AAPL) has redefined itself as a computer manufacturer into one of the world’s most valuable corporations. Listed on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange, Apple has a market capitalisation of over $3 trillion. You might also be surprised to know it is one of the largest publicly traded companies in the world!

Ready to diversify your portfolio as an Indian investor? Start investing in Apple shares today. Read on to learn the exact steps you need to take- and why Apple remains a top choice for long-term global investors.

About Apple (Ticker: AAPL)

Apple began not as a corporate project, but as Steve Wozniak’s personal idea to build a computer. When the 26-year-old Engineering intern partnered with his high school classmate, Steve Jobs, Apple Inc. was born with headquarters in Cupertino, California. 

Along the way, the partners brought in Ronald Wayne, an experienced tech executive, for a 10% stake to guide the company’s vision. Over the years, Apple experienced massive commercial success along with dark years of failure, until Steve Jobs stepped in as interim CEO. His vision and business acumen led the company into other consumer electronics segments like mobile phones, wearables, and more. It was the beginning of Apple’s resurgence. 

Today, under the leadership of CEO Tim Cook, Apple Inc. (Ticker: AAPL) continues its strong global hold. AAPL stock currently trades at $256.69, which is approximately ₹22,771 per share.  

Talking about key milestones of Apple, here are some things to note down: 

• Apple’s home country, the United States, is responsible for 42% of the company’s revenue, with 35% from the U.S. alone.
• iPhone, Apple’s most valuable product since 2008, represents 48.69% of the company’s total revenue. 
• In 2018, Apple made history by becoming the first publicly traded U.S. company and was valued at $1 trillion. 
• Just two years later, it broke records in August 2020 by becoming the first company to reach a $2 trillion market cap. 

Competitors? Think Microsoft, Google (Alphabet), and Samsung in different segments. 

Source: https://www.alphaspread.com/security/nasdaq/aapl/summary

Why Should Indian Investors Consider Apple Stock?

Honestly, Apple doesn’t run on gadgets and innovation alone. It runs on loyalty. Around 90% of iPhone users repurchase Apple, while Android’s loyalty ranges between 70 to 80%. So, if you think about it, Apple has built a universe where once you’re in, you rarely leave.

As an Indian investor considering buying Apple shares, here’s what you should know: 

• Global dominance

Apple has an estimated 1.5 billion active users worldwide. That’s not just market presence, it’s everyday influence.

• Stability through diversification

Apple doesn’t just rely on selling iPhones. Its recurring services revenue includes: iCloud, Apple Music, Apple TV+. This makes their income more stable compared to their peers. Its net income over a 5-year period has grown by 36.33 billion.

• Financial strength

If you had bought Apple shares 10 years ago, returns would have grown at 836.95%. Known as a company with one of the world’s highest profit margins, Apple stock (AAPL) has a track record of rewarding long-term investors. Of course, past performance is not a guarantee of future returns, but Apple stock does tell an interesting story. 

• A natural hedge for Indians

When you invest in Apple shares from India, you’re also indirectly diversifying into the U.S. dollar. In 2011, the Indian Rupee was valued at ₹47 against the USD; today it has depreciated to ₹88.77. This gives your portfolio some protection against INR depreciation over time.

In short, if you decide to invest in Apple, you give your portfolio a chance to grow with one of the most powerful brands in the world.

Apple vs Google vs Microsoft

 

Company	Market Cap	Core Strengths	5-Year Growth (Share Price / Total Return)	Example: If you had invested US$1,000 five years ago
Apple (AAPL)	$3T+	iPhone, Services, Ecosystem	+135%	$2,350 today
Google (Alphabet)	$2T+	Search, YouTube, AI, Cloud	+141.9%	$2,419 today
Microsoft (MSFT)	$3T+	Cloud, Windows, Office	+160.7%	$2,607 today

*Note: The growth numbers above are total return figures (price + dividends). These figures are USD-based and do not adjust for currency fluctuations (so for an Indian investor converting into INR the outcome would differ). Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

How Can Indians Invest in Apple Stock?

Yes Under RBI’s Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), every Indian resident can invest up to $250,000 per year in international assets, including U.S. stocks like Apple.

So yes, Indians can legally buy, hold, and sell Apple shares through platforms (such as Vested) offering U.S. investing.

There are two ways to invest in Apple shares from India: 

1. Direct Investment:  Through direct investment, you have two options: 
   • Open an overseas trading account with an Indian broker.
   • Open an overseas trading account with a foreign broker.
2. Indirect Investment
   • Through mutual funds with U.S. exposure.
   • Purchase units of ETFs that track U.S. indices like Nasdaq
   • Buy shares via Indian brokers, who can help you invest in Apple shares through your Indian trading account. 

How to Buy US Stock on Vested 

Vested, through their affiliated FINRA registered Broker/Dealer, allows Indian investors like you to invest in Apple shares from India. Rather, it’s not just Apple, you get access to the entire US stock market. So if you are looking to diversify your portfolio, follow these steps to invest in US share from your Vested account:

1. Sign up on https://app.vestedfinance.com
2. You can use your email id, Apple, Google or Facebook account for the same
3. After completing your registration successfully, complete your KYC
4. Upload documents like ID and address proof
5. After verification of your documents, the platform will approve your account. It takes just 10 minutes!
6. Once done, you can start investing in the U.S. stock market from India

Sign up on Vested today and buy U.S. shares from your home. Check out this detailed video on how to get started. 

How to Sell Apple Stock

Just a few years ago buying apple stock was a far fetched dream for Indian investors. And even today, many are skeptical to trade in the U.S. market. But with Vested, selling your Apple or any other US stock is as simple as buying it. 

Here’s how:

1. Login to your Vested app and open your Portfolio.
2. Select the stock you want to sell, like the Apple (AAPL) stock.
3. Click on the “Sell” button. You can choose the number of shares to sell or tick “Sell all” if you want to liquidate your entire holding.
4. Click “Review” to double-check the details. Take a moment to read the confirmation message carefully.
5. Hit “Place Sell Order” to confirm.

Your order will be executed once the market opens. Until then, if you change your mind, you can cancel the pending order easily.

5 Things to Know Before Investing in Apple Shares

Before you invest in Apple or any other US stocks, know this: 

1. Capital Gains

If you sell your Apple shares after 24 months, profit earned is treated as a long-term capital gain (LTCG) and taxed at 12.5 % (plus surcharge and cess, if applicable).

2. Dividend Taxation

Whenever Apple declares a dividend, it’s first subject to a 25 % U.S. withholding tax before the money reaches your Vested account. Under the India – U.S. Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), you can claim the deductions while filing your Indian returns. Just submit Form 67 with your ITR.

3. Obligatory Disclosure

All foreign assets, including Apple shares, must be reported in Schedule FA (Foreign Assets) of your Indian ITR, even if you made a loss or earned no income.
Non-disclosure can levy a penalty of up to ₹10 lakh.

4. Currency Conversion

As per Rule 115 of the Indian Income-Tax Act, any income earned abroad (like gains or dividends from Apple shares) must be converted into INR at the SBI TT buying rate on the last day of the month preceding the month of receipt.

5. Tax Collection at Source (TCS)

If your total foreign remittance under LRS exceeds ₹7 lakh in a financial year (limit revised from ₹10 lakh), a TCS of 20 % is applicable on the excess amount.
The good news: this isn’t an extra cost! You can claim it as a refund or adjust it against your total tax liability using Form 26AS when filing your ITR.

*Disclosure: Before trading in US securities, please consult your tax advisor to understand the applicable tax implications.

Conclusion

Apple’s journey from a garage to seemingly global domination, is more than just a story of success. It is proof of how technology, power and innovation can impact our daily life. As the brand continues to evolve, one thing appears to be certain, its legacy will shape the future generations to come. And thanks to Vested, buying and selling in the U.S. market has been made simple. Not only that, Vested also allows you to get a fractional holding by investing as little as $1. 

Are you ready to take the first step? Invest in US stock today on Vested.