Apple Pay has finally arrived in India. On 30 September 2026, Apple launched its contactless payment service in the country, with Axis Bank becoming the first Indian bank to support Apple Pay.
The initial rollout is available to customers holding eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards. RuPay cards are not supported at launch.
How Apple Pay Works in India
Eligible Axis Bank cardholders can add their credit cards to Apple Wallet and use an iPhone, Apple Watch or iPad to make payments.
A card can be added either through the latest Axis Bank mobile banking app or directly through the Apple Wallet app by tapping the “+” button and following the instructions.
For an in-store payment, users can double-click the side button on the iPhone or the relevant button on an Apple Watch, authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID or the device passcode, and hold the device near a contactless NFC payment terminal.
Unlike conventional card transactions, Apple Pay does not require the user to enter the card PIN or an OTP at the point of payment.
Where Can Apple Pay Be Used?
Apple says Apple Pay is available across thousands of merchants, apps and websites in India.
The launch includes merchants and services such as Blinkit, Chaayos, Croma, Interflora, Ixigo, Reliance brands, Tata 1mg and Zomato, as well as Apple Store locations. Acceptance depends on the merchant and compatible payment terminal.
Apple Pay can also be used at NFC-enabled contactless terminals outside India where the service is accepted.
Which Cards and Devices Are Supported?
At launch, the eligible cards are:
Axis Bank Visa credit cards
Axis Bank Mastercard credit cards
Axis Bank RuPay credit cards are not supported at launch.
For devices, Apple Pay supports iPhone XR or later running iOS 18 or later. Apple Watch support starts with Apple Watch Series 6 and later running watchOS 11 or later, according to Moneycontrol. Mac support is expected to be added soon.
Security and Privacy
Apple Pay uses tokenisation rather than sending the physical card number to the merchant.
Apple says the actual card number is not stored on Apple’s servers or on the device and is not shared with merchants. Instead, Apple Pay creates a unique Device Account Number, which is encrypted and stored in the device’s Secure Element.
Visa and Mastercard also use their respective tokenisation systems to protect card transactions.
Users will continue to receive the rewards and benefits associated with their eligible Axis Bank credit cards when they pay through Apple Pay.
Apple Pay vs UPI: An Interesting Indian Market
Apple Pay enters a payment market where UPI dominates everyday digital transactions.
Unlike UPI, the initial Apple Pay rollout in India is card-based. It does not replace UPI and does not currently offer UPI payments through Apple Pay.
Reuters reported that UPI accounted for about 84% of India’s digital payment volumes, making India’s payment environment quite different from many other markets where Apple Pay has become a major payment option.
This means Apple Pay’s initial role in India is primarily as a convenient way for eligible cardholders to make contactless card payments rather than as another UPI alternative.
Why Axis Bank Is the First Partner
Axis Bank is Apple’s first banking partner for Apple Pay in India. The bank has a large credit-card customer base, giving Apple an established card network for the initial rollout.
Apple has also held discussions with other major Indian banks, including HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank, although agreements with those banks had not been finalised at the time of launch.
The initial Axis Bank rollout is therefore likely to be the starting point for a wider expansion of Apple Pay’s Indian banking network.
Apple Pay Comes to India After 12 Years
Apple first launched Apple Pay in the United States in 2014. India remained one of the major markets where the service was unavailable despite Apple’s growing presence in the country.
The September 2026 launch finally brings Apple’s payment platform to Indian consumers, initially through Axis Bank’s Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
For iPhone and Apple Watch users who already hold an eligible Axis Bank credit card, the launch adds another way to pay without carrying the physical card.
Apple Pay Key Points at a Glance
| Key Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Launch Date | 30 September 2026 |
| First Bank Partner | Axis Bank |
| Supported Cards | Eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard Credit Cards |
| RuPay Cards | Not supported at launch |
| Supported Devices | iPhone, Apple Watch and iPad |
| In-store Payments | Contactless NFC-enabled payment terminals |
| Authentication | Face ID, Touch ID or device passcode |
| UPI Support | Not included in the initial Apple Pay rollout |
| Payment Security | Uses tokenisation and a Device Account Number instead of sharing the actual card number |
| Mac Support | Coming soon |
