However, the American tech giant still requires an import permit from the trade ministry before it can officially launch the smartphones in the country.

The approval, announced by Indonesia’s communications ministry on Friday, follows the issuance of local content certificates for 20 Apple products, including the iPhone 16 lineup, last week. 

The five certified models include the iPhone 16e, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Indonesia, a nation of approximately 280 million people, had previously blocked the sale of iPhone 16 models over Apple’s failure to meet local content requirements. 

Under current regulations, 40% of smartphone components must be locally sourced, a policy designed to strengthen domestic manufacturing. While this rule supports local industries, analysts warn it could deter foreign investment and lead to protectionist tendencies.

Apple has responded by pledging over $300 million in investments in Indonesia, focusing on component manufacturing plants and a research and development centre. 

This aligns with its initiative to meet the local content requirements and secure long-term access to the Indonesian market. In contrast, Apple’s investments in Indonesia are still relatively small compared to its commitments in Vietnam and Thailand, where it has poured in $15.4 billion and $24 billion, respectively.

Indonesia’s mobile market is one of the largest in the world, with over 354 million active mobile phone connections—more than its population. 

Given this scale, it is an important market for Apple, which faces competition from brands like Samsung and Xiaomi that have already made huge local investments.

Indonesia’s protectionist policies have also impacted other tech companies, with Google Pixel devices similarly restricted due to local sourcing requirements.

Even with the approval of telecommunications permits, Apple’s final issue is obtaining an import licence. This step makes it difficult to tell when the iPhone 16 series will officially hit Indonesian shelves.

Apple has yet to issue a statement on the development. However, confirming the permit issuance, Dwi Handoko, a senior communications ministry official, stated, “Five permits were issued as requested by Apple.”

The ban, which was imposed in October 2024, came after Apple failed to comply with a regulation requiring at least 35% of locally sourced components in smartphones sold within the country. 

In response, Apple has outlined a $1 billion investment plan for a manufacturing facility that will produce components for smartphones and other devices.

This move follows Indonesia’s earlier rejection of a $100 million investment proposal from Apple, which officials deemed insufficient. The country’s Industry Minister, Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, noted that Apple’s offer fell short when compared to the company’s larger investments in neighbouring Vietnam and Thailand.

He emphasised that Indonesia expects fair treatment in negotiations and is pushing for greater commitments to local manufacturing.

Jakarta has been strict about enforcing its localisation policies, which apply not only to Apple but also to Alphabet’s Google Pixel phones, which remain banned under similar regulations.

Other smartphone brands, including Samsung and Xiaomi, have met the requirements by setting up manufacturing operations within Indonesia.

In addition to this investment, Apple will also introduce training programmes to develop local talent in research and development.

These initiatives will be separate from the existing Apple Developer Academies, which already operate in cities such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Batam, and the newly announced Bali location.

Even with Apple’s lack of a manufacturing presence, Indonesia is still a key market with a population of over 270 million and growing smartphone demand.

Kartasasmita stressed that while the government is keen on Apple’s continued business in the country, the terms must align with Indonesia’s industrial growth ambitions.

For now, Apple has no immediate plans to manufacture iPhones in Indonesia. Per Reuters, neither the tech giant nor the Indonesian Ministry for Industry, responsible for enforcing the ban, have responded to requests for comment.