Apple Pay could arrive in India as early as October 2026, according to reports, giving iPhone and Apple Watch users access to Apple’s digital payment service.
The initial offering is expected to focus on credit card payments, with Axis Bank likely to be among the first banking partners. Apple is also reported to be in discussions with HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank, though their participation has not been finalised.
Apple Pay allows users to add eligible cards to the Apple Wallet and make payments at contactless terminals using an iPhone or Apple Watch. Transactions can be authorised through Face ID or Touch ID, without requiring users to carry a physical card.
The service uses tokenisation for security. A device-specific number is used during transactions instead of sharing the user’s actual card number with merchants.
Cards issued on major networks such as Visa and Mastercard are expected to be supported. More banks could join the service later.
The biggest question for Indian users is UPI support. Some reports have indicated that Apple is exploring UPI integration, while others suggest the service could initially be limited to card payments. Apple has not publicly confirmed whether UPI will be available.
That distinction matters because UPI dominates India’s digital payments ecosystem. Consumers routinely use services such as Google Pay, PhonePe and Paytm to make QR-code payments, transfer money and pay bills.
A card-only service would give Apple users a convenient option for contactless payments, but it would not replace the UPI-based transactions that are part of everyday payments across India.
UPI integration would require Apple to work with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and a partner bank. Discussions around bringing the service to India have reportedly included these arrangements, but no final details have been announced.
Apple Pay was introduced in the US in 2014 but has remained unavailable in India despite the country’s rapid shift towards digital payments.
Apple’s growing presence in the Indian smartphone market has increased the potential customer base for its payment service. The company has expanded its business in India through iPhone sales, local manufacturing and its own retail stores.
The company has reportedly been negotiating with Indian banks and payment networks over the service. Commercial terms, including how transaction revenue would be shared, have been part of the discussions.
The possible entry comes as India’s digital payments sector continues to evolve. UPI has expanded rapidly, while banks, technology companies and payment platforms compete for users and transactions.
Apple Pay could offer a different experience for iPhone users by allowing them to pay directly through their devices at compatible card terminals. The service would also bring Apple’s existing payment security features to Indian consumers.
The number of participating banks will be important at the start. Users whose cards are not supported may have to wait until their banks join the platform.
Apple has not officially confirmed the reported October date, participating banks or the complete set of features planned for India.
The key questions ahead of any rollout are therefore straightforward: which banks will support Apple Pay, which cards will work, and whether UPI will be available from the beginning. Those details will determine how widely the service can be used by Indian consumers.