Apple Pay Launched in India: How It Works, Who Can Use It & How to Set Up

Apple Pay is a contactless digital payment service that allows users to add an eligible credit or debit card to Apple Wallet and use their Apple device to make payments.

At the time of launch, eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cardholders can use Apple Pay in India. RuPay cards are not supported at launch, while Apple has indicated that support will expand over time.

Apple Pay Launched in India: How It Works & Who Can Use It

Finally, Apple Pay has arrived in India, bringing digital payment services from Apple to another major market for digital payments around the world. The new service became available starting from September 30, 2026, through a collaboration with Axis Bank, providing support to eligible Visa and Mastercard credit cards.

With Apple Pay, it becomes possible to make contactless payments via an iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch without entering card details, PINs or OTPs again and again. Initially, the launch will include Apple Pay support at shops, inside mobile applications and on websites accepting the service.

The important thing about this launch is that India already has an advanced digital payments infrastructure headed by UPI. Different from UPI, Apple Pay makes transactions through adding an eligible bank card into Apple Wallet. 

How does Apple Pay work?

Apple Pay uses NFC (Near Field Communication) technology for contactless payments. When a user brings an enabled Apple device close to a compatible payment terminal, the device communicates with the terminal and securely processes the card transaction.

Instead of sharing the actual card number with the merchant, Apple Pay uses a device-specific account number and tokenisation to protect payment information. Authentication can be completed through Face ID, Touch ID or the device passcode.

This means users can make a payment without physically handing over their card.

Who can use Apple Pay in India?

At launch, Apple Pay is available to:

• Eligible Axis Bank Visa credit cardholders
• Eligible Axis Bank Mastercard credit cardholders
• Users with compatible iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch devices
• Customers shopping at merchants, apps and websites that support Apple Pay

RuPay cards and cards from most other Indian banks are not supported at launch. Apple is expected to expand bank and card support over time.

Apple says Apple Pay is available on iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, while Mac support is coming soon.

Apple Pay vs UPI

Apple Pay and UPI are different payment systems.

Feature	Apple Pay	UPI
Payment method	Linked bank card	Bank account
Main technology	NFC/contactless	UPI infrastructure
Authentication	Face ID, Touch ID or passcode	UPI PIN/biometric, depending on method
QR payments	Not the core launch feature	Widely used
Card required	Yes, supported card	No card required
Device ecosystem	Apple devices	Android and iOS

Therefore, Apple Pay should not be viewed as a replacement for UPI. Instead, it provides another way for eligible Apple users to make card-based digital payments.

How to Set Up & Use Apple Pay

Setting up Apple Pay involves adding an eligible card to Apple Wallet and completing the required verification.

Step 1: Open Apple Wallet

Open the Wallet app on your compatible iPhone or iPad and select the option to add a card.

Depending on the supported card and bank, users may also be able to initiate the setup through their banking app. Axis Bank customers can add eligible cards through the supported setup process.

Step 2: Add your card

Follow the instructions to add your eligible Axis Bank Visa or Mastercard credit card.

You may be asked to verify your card details and complete an authentication process with the bank.

Step 3: Complete verification

The bank may require additional verification before the card is activated for Apple Pay.

Once verification is completed, the card becomes available in Apple Wallet for eligible transactions.

Step 4: Make a payment

At a contactless payment terminal:

1. Open Apple Pay or activate your default card.
2. Authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID or your device passcode.
3. Hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the contactless payment terminal.
4. Wait for the payment confirmation.

Apple says the service is designed to allow payments without manually entering card details, PINs or OTPs at checkout.

Is Apple Pay secure?

Security is one of the major features of Apple Pay.

Apple Pay does not simply share your physical card number with every merchant. Instead, it uses tokenisation and a device-specific account number to help protect card information. Transactions are also authenticated through the user’s device security, such as Face ID, Touch ID or a passcode.

If an iPhone is lost, Apple provides mechanisms that allow users to manage or disable Apple Pay remotely.

Where You Can Use Apple Pay

Apple Pay can be used across physical stores, apps and websites that support Apple Pay. Apple says the service is available at retailers of different sizes across India.

1. Physical stores

Apple Pay can be used at stores equipped with compatible contactless/NFC payment terminals.

Instead of inserting or swiping a card, users can hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near the terminal after authenticating the transaction.

2. Online shopping

Apple Pay can also be used at participating online retailers where the Apple Pay option is available during checkout.

This can reduce the need to repeatedly enter card information when making a purchase.

3. Apps

Participating apps can integrate Apple Pay as a payment option.

At launch, reports have identified services and retailers including Zomato, Blinkit, Tata 1mg, Croma and Reliance brands among merchants supporting Apple Pay. Availability can vary by merchant and transaction.

4. Apple Stores

Apple Pay is available at select Apple retail business locations in India, provided that the terminal and card are compatible. 

For in-store transactions, customers need to watch for the contactless payment icon or the sign that says ‘Apple Pay accepted’ at the point of sale. For online transactions and purchases made via apps, Apple Pay will be shown as one of the payment options on the checkout page, if available.

Apple Pay Launch in India: What It Means for Users

The launch gives Apple users another way to make digital payments using their existing eligible credit cards.

For consumers, the biggest difference is the convenience of using an iPhone or Apple Watch instead of carrying the physical card. The service also adds Apple’s device-level authentication and tokenisation to card payments.

However, the initial rollout is limited. Only eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards are supported at launch, and India’s RuPay network is not currently supported. Apple has indicated that the service will expand to additional banks and cards over time.

For now, Apple Pay and UPI serve different purposes: UPI remains a bank-account-based payment system, while Apple Pay’s Indian launch is focused on card-based payments.

Conclusion

Apple Pay today officially launches in India for those using an eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit card. Now customers will be able to securely add their supported credit cards in Apple Wallet to make contactless payments via their iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch on both in-store and online transactions at participating stores and websites with the addition of Mac also likely to come soon.

With further partnerships with other Indian banks and card networks under way, the reach and presence of Apple Pay within India may only continue to grow. For now though, its arrival offers yet another opportunity for Indian Apple users to expand their options when paying digitally especially as this comes as the rest of the country continues to adopt the UPI payments platform.

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