Indonesia bans Apple iPhone 16 in the country; calls phone’s use “illegal” in the country

Indonesia has banned Apple’s iPhone 16 from being sold or operated in the country. Indonesia’s Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita declared on Tuesday that any iPhone 16 operating in Indonesia is illegal, warning consumers against purchasing the device overseas.

iPhone 16 is “illegal” in Inodnesia

“If there is an iPhone 16 that can operate in Indonesia, that means that I can say, the device is illegal. Do report it to us,” Kartasasmita stated, emphasising that no International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) certification has been issued for the device.

Why the ban on iPhone 16

The ban stems from Apple’s unfulfilled investment commitments in Indonesia. The tech giant has invested 1.48 trillion rupiah ($95 million) of its promised 1.71 trillion rupiah, leaving a shortfall of 230 billion rupiah ($14.75 million).
“We, the Ministry of Industry, are yet to be able to issue permits for the iPhone 16 because there are still commitments that Apple must realise,” Kartasasmita explained at his office.
Earlier this month, the minister had announced that “Apple’s iPhone 16 cannot be sold in Indonesia yet because the extension of the TKDN certification is still pending, awaiting further investment realisation from Apple.”
The TKDN (Domestic Component Level) certification requires companies to meet a 40% local content value requirement to sell their products in Indonesia. The certification process is directly linked to Apple’s commitment to establish research and development facilities, known as Apple Academies, in the country.
The announcement comes despite Apple CEO Tim Cook‘s April visit to Jakarta, where he discussed potential manufacturing plans with President Joko Widodo. Cook had indicated the company would “look at” the possibility of establishing manufacturing facilities in Indonesia.
The iPhone 16, launched globally on September 20, remains unavailable in Indonesia, along with other new Apple products including the iPhone 16 Pro lineup and Apple Watch Series 10.
Industry Ministry spokesperson Febri Hendri Antoni Arif confirmed that the TKDN certification application for iPhone 16 is under review but remains contingent on Apple fulfilling its investment commitments.