Apple has officially launched Apple Pay in India, bringing its contactless payment service to iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch users for the first time. The service went live on September 30, 2026, with Axis Bank becoming its first banking partner in the country.
Apple Pay Arrives in India With Axis Bank
At launch, Apple Pay is available to customers with Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards. Eligible users can add their cards to Apple Wallet and use Apple Pay at participating stores, apps and websites across India. Mac support is also expected to arrive soon.
The initial rollout does not include RuPay cards. Other major Indian banks have also not yet been added to the service, which makes Axis Bank the first bank to support Apple Pay in India.
Contactless Payments Without PIN or OTP
Apple Pay allows users to make payments by authenticating transactions with Face ID, Touch ID or their device passcode. For in-store purchases, users can simply hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near a compatible NFC payment terminal.
Apple says users can also make payments online and within apps without repeatedly entering card details, billing information or one-time passwords. Card rewards and benefits continue to apply when using Apple Pay.
Apple Pay Works With Thousands of Merchants
At launch, Apple Pay is supported across thousands of merchants and millions of locations in India. Apple has listed brands including Blinkit, Croma, Zomato, Tata 1mg, Ixigo, Reliance brands and Apple Store locations among participating merchants.
Apple has also partnered with payment service providers including Paytm, Razorpay, Pine Labs, Cashfree, JusPay and others to expand Apple Pay acceptance across merchant networks.
Apple Pay Enters India’s UPI-Dominated Market
The launch marks the entry of Apple into one of the world’s largest digital payment markets. However, Apple Pay currently focuses on card-based contactless payments and does not replace UPI.
Apple Pay is currently available in more than 90 countries and regions, with over 11,000 bank and network partners globally. Its India launch could expand further as additional banks and payment networks join the platform.
