For more context, the Reserve Bank of India's directive requires banks, institutions, and payment gateways to obtain additional approval for auto-renewables transactions worth over a certain dollar amount for credit and debit transactions. This regulation mandates the use of 3D Secure (3DS) authentication for online payments, which adds an extra security layer to the payment process.
Bubble, partnering with Stripe, has implemented changes to accommodate cards that require 3D Secure (3DS) authentication. During transactions, you may see a pop-up that prompts you to complete an additional step for payment validation. This is part of the 3DS process required by the RBI.
To resolve payment issues, we recommend the following steps:
Set up 3D Secure (3DS): Ensure that 3D Secure authentication is enabled for your credit or debit card. Check with your bank if you are unsure about your card's 3DS status.
Go through the subscribe flow again: You may see a pop-up that indicates an additional step is needed to validate your payment. If you click "Continue", it will route you to the appropriate page to process your payment.
For existing subscriptions: If you currently have an existing subscription, you may need to downgrade to the Free plan first, then re-upgrade to the desired paid plan. This ensures you go through the new 3DS payment validation steps. Note: If you are accepting a free trial offer in the editor, this process should work, though offers that are available on Bubble.io likely won't work.
To help users navigate these changes, the Bubble Engineering team has provided a walkthrough video detailing the payment process: Watch the Recording on Loom
Alternative Payment Method: We have heard from many Indian users that they have been able to successfully pay for subscriptions, plugins, and templates using Forex cards. These cards are not typically subject to the same restrictions as some local cards and can be a reliable alternative.
Troubleshooting Tips:
If your payment is declined, verify that your card supports 3D Secure authentication and is enabled for online transactions.
Contact your bank for assistance if issues persist, particularly regarding compliance with RBI guidelines. If you continue to encounter difficulty with your subscription payments, please reach out to our Support team.