After years of waiting, Apple Pay has officially launched in India, giving iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch users a new way to make secure contactless payments.
Apple announced the India rollout on September 30, 2026, with Axis Bank becoming the first Indian banking partner for the service. At launch, customers with eligible Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards can add their cards to Apple Wallet and use Apple Pay at supported physical stores, apps and websites.
The launch marks a major expansion of Apple’s services business in India and brings its contactless payment platform to one of the world’s biggest digital payment markets.
However, Apple Pay’s India rollout is initially limited. It does not currently support cards from every Indian bank, and RuPay cards are not part of the launch.
Apple Pay Is Now Officially Available in India
Apple has confirmed that Apple Pay is available in India starting September 30.
At launch, the service works on iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, while Apple says support for Mac is coming soon.
The biggest requirement is the bank card. For now, users need an eligible Axis Bank credit card issued on the Visa or Mastercard network.
This means customers with cards from other major Indian issuers cannot necessarily start using Apple Pay immediately.
Apple intends to expand the service over time, but support for additional banks will depend on factors including their technical readiness and card portfolios.
Which Bank Supports Apple Pay in India?
Axis Bank is Apple’s first banking partner for Apple Pay in India.
Eligible Axis Bank customers can add supported Visa and Mastercard credit cards to Apple Wallet.
At launch, the key requirements are:
- An eligible Axis Bank credit card
- Visa or Mastercard network
- A compatible Apple device
- An Apple Account
- The required device security settings
Cards using India’s RuPay network are not supported as part of the initial rollout.
Support for banks such as HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and other major Indian card issuers has also not been announced as part of the first-day rollout.
Apple has indicated that it wants to expand Apple Pay to more customers as additional issuers become ready to support the service.
How to Set Up Apple Pay in India
For eligible Axis Bank customers, setting up Apple Pay is designed to be relatively simple.
Open the Wallet app on your iPhone and tap the “+” button to add a card. Follow the instructions and complete the bank’s verification process.
Eligible cards can also be added through the latest Axis Bank app.
Once verification is complete, the card appears in Apple Wallet and can be selected for Apple Pay transactions.
Users can then authenticate transactions through Face ID, Touch ID or their device passcode, depending on the Apple device being used.
The process eliminates the need to repeatedly enter physical card details while making supported payments.
How to Use Apple Pay at Stores in India
One of Apple Pay’s biggest features is contactless payment using an iPhone or Apple Watch.
On a compatible iPhone with Face ID, users can double-click the side button, authenticate and hold the top of the iPhone near a supported contactless payment terminal.
Apple Watch users can make payments directly from their wrist.
Apple says eligible Indian users can use Apple Pay at thousands of physical and online merchants across the country, as well as locations accepting compatible NFC transactions.
This makes the service particularly useful for users who already rely heavily on credit cards for shopping, dining, travel and other purchases.
Apple Pay Also Works for Apps and Websites
Apple Pay in India isn’t limited to physical stores.
Users can make purchases through supported apps and websites on their iPhone and iPad. Mac support is expected to arrive later.
Instead of manually typing card numbers, expiration dates, billing addresses and other information every time they shop online, users can select Apple Pay during checkout when the merchant supports it.
Authentication is then completed securely through the Apple device.
This could make Apple Pay especially convenient for online shopping because it reduces the number of steps required to complete a card transaction.
Does Apple Pay Support UPI in India?
One important distinction is that Apple Pay’s initial India rollout is card-based rather than UPI-based.
India’s Unified Payments Interface dominates everyday digital transactions in the country, allowing consumers to make bank-to-bank payments using QR codes and payment apps.
Apple Pay works differently.
At launch, Apple Pay uses eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards stored digitally in Apple Wallet. Users can then make contactless card payments through compatible NFC terminals or pay through supported apps and websites.
Therefore, Apple Pay should not be considered a replacement for UPI.
Instead, it gives eligible iPhone and Apple Watch users another payment option, particularly for credit-card transactions.
Is Apple Pay Secure?
Privacy and security are central to Apple’s pitch for Apple Pay.
When users add a supported card to Apple Pay, Apple says the actual card number is not stored on the device or on Apple servers.
Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned to the card. It is encrypted and stored in the Secure Element, a dedicated component designed to securely hold payment information.
The actual card number is also not provided to the merchant when the customer makes a payment.
Transactions require authentication using Face ID, Touch ID or the device passcode.
Apple also says it does not retain transaction information that can personally identify users when they make card purchases through Apple Pay.
Apple Pay vs UPI: What’s the Difference?
Apple Pay and UPI can both be used for digital payments, but they work differently.
UPI generally enables direct transfers between bank accounts. Users typically select their bank account and authenticate the transaction through their UPI application.
Apple Pay’s India implementation currently revolves around supported payment cards.
Instead of carrying and tapping a physical Axis Bank Visa or Mastercard credit card, an eligible user can securely store the card in Apple Wallet and use their iPhone or Apple Watch.
Apple Pay therefore provides an alternative way of using an existing credit card rather than functioning as a direct replacement for India’s UPI infrastructure.
Can You Use Apple Pay Without an Axis Bank Card?
Not with an Indian-issued card at launch.
Apple Pay’s initial Indian rollout is limited to eligible Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
That means simply owning an iPhone or Apple Watch does not automatically give someone access to Apple Pay.
Apple needs to work with individual card issuers to enable their cards for the platform.
Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, has indicated that the company wants to bring more issuers onto the service. The timing will depend on technical readiness and other requirements.
So support for additional Indian banks could expand in the future, but users should wait for official announcements rather than assuming a particular bank will be added.
Which Apple Devices Support Apple Pay in India?
At launch, Apple Pay is available across:
- iPhone
- Apple Watch
- iPad
Apple says Mac support is coming soon.
The exact experience varies depending on the device. iPhones and Apple Watches can be used for contactless payments at physical stores, while compatible devices can also use Apple Pay for supported online and in-app purchases.
Users should keep their devices updated to the latest compatible software before setting up the service.
Apple Pay India: Key Details
| Feature | Details |
| India launch date | September 30, 2026 |
| First supported bank | Axis Bank |
| Supported cards at launch | Eligible Axis Bank credit cards |
| Card networks | Visa and Mastercard |
| RuPay support | Not available at launch |
| iPhone support | Yes |
| Apple Watch support | Yes |
| iPad support | Yes |
| Mac | Coming soon |
| In-store payments | Yes |
| In-app payments | Yes |
| Web payments | Yes |
| UPI integration | Not part of initial rollout |
| Authentication | Face ID, Touch ID or passcode |
Apple Pay Finally Arrives in India
Apple Pay’s arrival is significant because India was one of the largest major markets where Apple’s contactless payment platform had remained unavailable.
That changed on September 30, 2026.
The initial launch is relatively focused, with Axis Bank serving as the first banking partner and eligible Visa and Mastercard credit cards forming the foundation of the service.
Apple Pay also enters a market where UPI is already deeply embedded in everyday payments. Rather than directly replacing UPI, Apple’s service initially provides a different experience aimed primarily at card payments.
For eligible users, the main advantage is convenience. An iPhone or Apple Watch can effectively become a secure contactless payment method without requiring the user to take out a physical credit card.
The next major development will be the expansion of supported banks and cards. If Apple adds more Indian issuers over time, the number of people able to use Apple Pay in the country could increase substantially.
For now, Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit card customers are the first Indian users officially able to add their cards to Apple Wallet and use Apple Pay.
FAQs
Is Apple Pay now available in India?
Yes. Apple Pay officially launched in India on September 30, 2026.
Which bank supports Apple Pay in India?
Axis Bank is the first bank to support Apple Pay in India.
Which Axis Bank cards work with Apple Pay?
Eligible Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards can be added to Apple Wallet. RuPay cards are not supported at launch.
Can I use Apple Pay on my iPhone in India?
Yes. Compatible iPhone users with an eligible Axis Bank card can add the card to Apple Wallet and use Apple Pay for supported payments.
Does Apple Pay work with UPI?
No. Apple Pay’s initial India launch is based on supported credit cards and does not provide UPI payments.
Can Apple Pay be used at shops in India?
Yes. Users can make contactless payments at supported NFC-enabled payment terminals using a compatible iPhone or Apple Watch.
Is Apple Pay available on Apple Watch in India?
Yes. Apple Watch users with an eligible card can use Apple Pay for supported contactless payments.
Is Apple Pay secure?
Yes. Apple uses a Device Account Number and transaction-specific security technology instead of sharing the user’s actual card number with merchants.
Is Apple Pay free to use?
Apple does not charge users a fee for using Apple Pay. However, normal card-related charges or terms from your bank may still apply.
Does Apple Pay work without Wi‑Fi or cellular service?
Yes. You can use Apple Pay for in‑store purchases on your iPhone or Apple Watch even if you’re not connected to the internet or cellular service.
Apple Pay uses the Near Field Communication (NFC) chip in your device, not cellular data or Wi‑Fi, to securely connect with a store’s payment terminal so your purchase is still processed.
However, your purchase may not show up in your transaction history until you reconnect to the internet or cellular service.
