Apple Pay is now live in India on iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, but the initial rollout is limited to eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
Apple Pay has officially launched in India, bringing Apple’s contactless payment service to iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch users for the first time. At launch, eligible Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards can be added to Apple Pay and used for payments at participating merchants, in apps and on the web. Apple said Mac support is coming soon.
The launch is significant, but the first-day rollout is narrower than the headline may suggest. RuPay cards are not supported at launch, while other large issuers including HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and SBI Card were not live on the service at launch, according to Reuters and The Economic Times. Reuters reported that Apple has held discussions with HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank, but commercial terms had not been finalised as of the launch date.
Need to Know
- Apple Pay India launch date: September 30, 2026
- Initial bank partner: Axis Bank
- Supported networks: Visa and Mastercard
- Initial card type: Eligible Axis Bank credit cards
- Devices: iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch
- Mac: Support coming soon
- RuPay: Not supported at launch
- Payments: Stores, apps and websites
- Authentication: Face ID, Touch ID or device passcode, when prompted
- Setup: Through the latest Axis Bank app or Apple Wallet
Also Read: Apple Pay India Launch With Axis Bank: Why NPCI’s Tap-to-Pay Move Matters
Which Cards Can Be Used With Apple Pay in India?
Apple Pay initially supports Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards. Eligible cardholders can add their cards through the latest version of the Axis Bank app or directly through Apple Wallet.
The rollout does not currently extend to every card network or major bank. RuPay cards are not supported at launch, while HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and SBI Card were not live on the service when Apple Pay launched in India.
This is the key limitation for consumers checking whether they can use the service immediately: having an iPhone does not by itself make a user eligible for Apple Pay in India. The issuing bank and card network also matter.
How to Set Up Apple Pay on an iPhone
Apple has provided two ways to add an eligible Axis Bank card.
Through the Axis Bank app: Open the latest Axis Bank app, select the eligible card and follow the steps to add it to Apple Wallet.
Through Apple Wallet: Open Wallet on the iPhone, tap the plus sign and follow the instructions to add an eligible card.
Once the card is added, it can be used for supported Apple Pay transactions.
How to Pay With Apple Pay in Stores
For an in-store payment, users can:
- Double-click the iPhone side button or Home button.
- Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID or the device passcode when prompted.
- Hold the top of the iPhone near the contactless payment terminal.
Apple Watch users can authenticate and hold the watch display near a contactless payment terminal.
The process allows eligible cardholders to make contactless payments without manually entering their card details at a compatible terminal.
Can Apple Pay Be Used Online in India?
Yes. Apple says users can make purchases with Apple Pay on iPhone and iPad in apps and on the web, while Mac support is coming soon.
The service is designed to reduce the need to repeatedly enter card, contact and shipping information during checkout. Cardholders will continue to receive the rewards and benefits associated with their cards.
Where Will Apple Pay Work in India?
Apple said Apple Pay will be accepted by millions of merchants across India, including Apple Store locations, Blinkit, Chaayos, Comet, Croma, Interflora, Ixigo, Le15 Patisserie, Reliance brands, Tata 1mg and Zomato.
Apple has also worked with payment service providers including Cashfree, JusPay, Mswipe, Paytm, PayU, Pine Labs, Razorpay and Worldline to bring the service to their merchant networks.
Apple said more merchants and apps will be added over time.
For physical payments, eligible cards can be used at participating contactless terminals and wherever NFC transactions are accepted.
Apple Pay vs UPI: What Is Different?
Apple Pay enters India at a time when UPI is already deeply embedded in everyday digital payments.
Reuters, citing a 2025 IMF report, said UPI accounted for 84% of digital payment volumes in India and is the world’s largest retail fast-payment system by transaction volume.
The two systems also work differently.
Apple Pay uses an eligible credit card stored in Apple Wallet and relies on card-payment networks such as Visa and Mastercard.
UPI is a bank-account-based payment system that enables transfers through participating UPI apps and banks.
Apple Pay is therefore not a replacement for UPI. For an eligible Axis Bank cardholder, it offers a card-based contactless payment option on Apple devices, while UPI remains a separate payment method.
The market tension lies in how Apple’s card-based wallet will fit into an Indian payments ecosystem where UPI already has substantial scale. The longer-term expansion of Apple Pay will also depend on broader bank and card-network participation.
Is Apple Pay Secure?
Apple says the actual card number is not stored on the device or on Apple’s servers and is not shared with merchants.
Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned to the card and encrypted before being stored in the device’s Secure Element.
Apple also says it does not retain transaction information that can be tied back to the user.
For a lost or stolen iPhone, users can use the Find My app to locate the device, lock it or suspend payments from that device.
Apple and the card networks also use tokenisation so that the underlying card number is not exposed to merchants during transactions.
Does Apple Pay Require a PIN or OTP?
Apple says users do not need to enter a card PIN or an OTP at checkout for Apple Pay transactions.
Instead, payments are authenticated using Face ID, Touch ID or the device passcode, depending on the device and transaction.
The absence of a card PIN or OTP entry at checkout does not mean the transaction is unauthenticated; device-based verification forms part of the payment process.
Which iPhones Support Apple Pay in India?
Apple’s launch documentation says Apple Pay requires an iPhone XR or later with iOS 18 or later.
For Apple Watch, support begins with Apple Watch Series 6 or later running watchOS 11 or later, with the watch paired to an iPhone XR or later.
Apple Pay is currently available on iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch in India. Mac support is coming soon.
What Happens Next for Apple Pay in India?
The biggest open question is how quickly Apple can broaden the service beyond its initial Axis Bank partnership.
Apple said more merchants and apps will be added over time. Reuters reported that Apple has discussed Apple Pay with HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank, but those discussions had not resulted in commercial agreements at the time of launch.
That creates an important forward-looking risk for the rollout: the service could remain relatively limited for Indian consumers until more major card issuers and networks become available.
For now, eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit-card holders have a new way to make contactless and online payments through Apple devices. The next phase of the India rollout will depend on how widely Apple can expand its banking, card-network and merchant partnerships.
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Apple Pay India: What Users Should Watch Next
Apple Pay’s India launch gives eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit-card users a new contactless payment option across Apple devices. But the initial rollout remains limited by bank and card-network coverage, making broader issuer support the key development to watch.
Apple has said that more merchants and apps will be added over time, while the timing of wider bank participation remains uncertain.
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Apple Pay India FAQs
Is Apple Pay available in India?
Yes. Apple Pay officially launched in India on September 30, 2026, supporting iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.
Which bank cards support Apple Pay in India?
At launch, eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards are supported.
Does Apple Pay support RuPay cards?
No. RuPay cards are not supported at launch.
Can I use Apple Pay with an HDFC Bank or ICICI Bank card?
HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank were not live on Apple Pay at launch. Reuters reported that Apple had discussed the service with both banks, but commercial terms had not been finalised as of the launch date.
Can Apple Pay be used without a PIN or OTP?
Apple says users do not need to enter a card PIN or OTP at checkout. Transactions are authenticated using Face ID, Touch ID or a device passcode when required.
Can Apple Pay be used for online shopping?
Yes. Apple Pay can be used on iPhone and iPad for purchases in apps and on the web. Mac support is coming soon.
Is Apple Pay a replacement for UPI?
No. Apple Pay is a card-based payment service, while UPI is a bank-account-based payment system. They serve different payment use cases.
Which iPhones support Apple Pay in India?
Apple says iPhone XR and later models running iOS 18 or later are supported.
Disclaimer: This article is based on Apple’s September 30, 2026 launch announcement and reporting from Reuters and The Economic Times. Card eligibility, device requirements and participating merchants may change as the service expands.
