Apple Pay India is finally live. Apple launched the service on September 30, 2026, and you can use it today if you have an Axis Bank Visa or Mastercard credit card. There’s no UPI, RuPay or debit card support yet, so for now it’s a credit-card-only option that works in stores, in apps and on the web.
Below you’ll find which cards work, where you can pay, how to set it up in under two minutes and how Apple Pay stacks up against UPI.
| Key fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Launch date | September 30, 2026 |
| Launch bank | Axis Bank (only issuer at launch) |
| Card types | Credit cards on Visa and Mastercard |
| Not supported | UPI, RuPay, debit cards |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch; Mac support coming later |
| Where it works | Contactless terminals, in apps and on websites |
| Checkout | Tap to pay, with no PIN or OTP at checkout |
| Global reach | Apple Pay works in 90+ countries and regions |
Apple Pay India Launch: What’s New
Apple Pay has been one of the most requested features from iPhone owners in India for years. With this launch, you can now tap your iPhone or Apple Watch at a contactless terminal, or pay in apps and on websites with Face ID, Touch ID or a double-click.
Apple says Apple Pay makes everyday card payments “easy, secure, and private,” in the words of Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay. The launch partner is Axis Bank, which TechCrunch describes as India’s third-largest private-sector lender.
The timing is no accident. iPhones are becoming far more common in India, and the country now makes a big share of Apple’s phones.
| India market fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| iPhone share of India’s smartphone market by value (2025) | 28% (up from 23% in 2024) |
| Share of global iPhone production made in India | About 25% |
| Apple Pay bank and network partners worldwide | 11,000+ |
Which Banks and Cards Work With Apple Pay in India?
Right now, the list is short. Apple’s India bank page shows one issuer.
| Bank | Card types | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Axis Bank | Visa and Mastercard credit cards | Live |
| HDFC Bank | — | Not at launch |
| ICICI Bank | — | Not at launch |
| SBI Card | — | Not at launch |
According to TechCrunch, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and SBI Card held back while they negotiate commercial terms with Apple. TechCrunch also reports that Apple’s fee is around 20 basis points (0.2%) per transaction, which is part of those talks.
Apple’s own page notes that “some banks may not support all card types,” and that you should check eligibility with your card issuer. Expect the list to grow, but there’s no confirmed date for any other bank yet.
What about RuPay and debit cards?
RuPay, India’s domestic card network, isn’t supported at launch. Neither are debit cards. If your only card is a RuPay or debit card, you’ll need to wait for a future update.
Where Can You Use Apple Pay in India?
Apple says Apple Pay is accepted by “millions” of merchants. These are some of the brands Apple named at launch:
| Type | Merchants |
|---|---|
| Food and delivery | Zomato, Blinkit, Chaayos, Le15 Patisserie |
| Electronics and retail | Croma, Reliance brands, Comet, Apple Store |
| Travel and health | Ixigo, Tata 1mg |
| Gifts | Interflora |
Acceptance also comes through the payment companies that process cards for Indian businesses. Apple and news reports name BillDesk, Cashfree, Juspay, Mswipe, Paytm, PayU, Pine Labs, Razorpay and Worldline.
That matters because a shop doesn’t need a special Apple deal. If its terminal or checkout runs through one of these providers and accepts contactless cards, you’ll often be able to use Apple Pay.
Where you’ll pay with Apple Pay
- In stores: hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near a contactless card reader.
- In apps: tap the Apple Pay button at checkout in apps like Zomato or Blinkit.
- On the web: pay in Safari on sites that show the Apple Pay option.
How to Set Up Apple Pay in India
Setting up takes about two minutes. You have two ways to add your Axis Bank card.
Option 1: Use the Wallet app
- Open the Wallet app on your iPhone.
- Tap the plus (+) button.
- Choose to add a debit or credit card and scan your Axis Bank card.
- Follow the prompts to verify the card with your bank.
- To add it to your Apple Watch, open the Watch app on your iPhone and go to Wallet & Apple Pay.
Option 2: Use the Axis Bank app
- Update the Axis Bank app to the latest version.
- Find your credit card and look for the option to add it to Apple Wallet.
- Confirm, and the card appears in Wallet, ready to use.
Before you start, update your iPhone to the latest iOS. If you’re still getting to know iOS 27, our WWDC 2026 recap of everything new in iOS 27 is a good place to begin.
Is Apple Pay Safe to Use?
Apple Pay is built so that your real card number never leaves your bank. Here’s how Apple describes it:
- No card number stored: your actual card number isn’t kept on your device or on Apple’s servers.
- Device Account Number: a unique number is created, encrypted and stored in your iPhone’s Secure Element chip.
- Tokenization: every payment uses a one-time cryptographic token, so merchants never see your card details.
- No tracking: Apple says it doesn’t keep transaction information that can be tied back to you.
- Lost phone protection: you can use Find My to suspend payments if your device goes missing.
You still earn your card rewards as usual, because the payment runs on your Axis Bank card.
Apple Pay vs UPI: Which Should You Use?
This is the big question for most people in India. UPI handles the bulk of the country’s digital payments through QR codes and direct bank transfers. Apple Pay doesn’t replace it; it adds a faster way to use your credit card.
| Feature | Apple Pay (India) | UPI |
|---|---|---|
| What it charges | Your credit card | Your bank account directly |
| How you pay | Tap or one-click, confirmed with Face ID | Scan a QR code or enter a UPI ID, then a PIN |
| Banks at launch | Axis Bank only | Most Indian banks |
| Rewards | Card rewards apply | Usually none |
| Acceptance | Contactless card terminals, apps, websites | Almost every shop with a QR code |
| Best for | Big-ticket card spends, online shopping, travel | Everyday small payments |
The bottom line
If you have an Axis Bank credit card, Apple Pay is worth adding now. It’s quicker than entering card details and keeps your number hidden from merchants.
If you don’t, keep using UPI and your physical card for now. Apple Pay becomes much more useful once HDFC, ICICI and SBI Card come on board.
Why Apple Pay Took So Long to Reach India
Apple Pay has been around for over a decade elsewhere, so you might wonder why India waited this long. Two reasons stand out.
First, UPI changed how India pays. QR-code payments straight from a bank account became the default for everything from tea stalls to rent. A card-based wallet had a smaller gap to fill than in other countries.
Second, banks and Apple have to agree on money. TechCrunch reports that the biggest issuers are still negotiating commercial terms, including Apple’s per-transaction fee. That’s why the launch arrived with one bank rather than five.
What changed is scale. With iPhones taking a much bigger share of India’s smartphone spending and a large part of global iPhone production now in India, the market became too important for Apple to skip.
Tips to Get the Most From Apple Pay in India
Once your card is set up, a few small habits make Apple Pay smoother.
- Set your default card. Go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay to choose which card appears first.
- Carry a backup. Not every terminal is contactless, and many smaller shops only take UPI, so keep your physical card or UPI app handy.
- Look for the contactless symbol. If a card reader shows the contactless wave icon, Apple Pay should work there.
- Check your bank alerts. Axis Bank will still send its usual transaction alerts, so you can spot anything odd quickly.
- Turn on Find My. If your iPhone is lost, Find My lets you suspend Apple Pay without cancelling your card.
What’s Missing, and What Comes Next?
The launch is a solid start, but you’ll notice some gaps.
- Only one bank. Most cardholders can’t use it yet.
- No UPI. You can’t link a bank account the way you would in a UPI app.
- No RuPay or debit. That rules out a large share of cards in India.
- No Mac support yet. Apple says it’s coming.
Don’t confuse Apple Pay with paying for Apple services. The App Store in India already accepts UPI Autopay and Net Banking for apps and subscriptions, and that hasn’t changed.
If you’re picking a new iPhone to use with Apple Pay, see our iPhone Duo pre-order guide or our iPhone 17e review for a budget pick. And for more tricks you might be missing, check out our list of hidden iPhone features.
Source: launch details, merchants, devices and security features come from Apple’s official India Newsroom announcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Apple Pay launched in India on September 30, 2026. You need an Axis Bank Visa or Mastercard credit card to use it at launch.
No. Apple Pay in India doesn’t support UPI at launch. It works with eligible credit cards only.
Only Axis Bank at launch. TechCrunch reports that HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and SBI Card are still negotiating terms with Apple.
Not yet. RuPay cards and debit cards aren’t supported at launch.
No. Apple says you can tap and pay without a PIN or OTP. You confirm each payment with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode instead.
Apple hasn’t announced any fee for you as a user. Reports say Apple charges banks a small fee per transaction, which is part of ongoing bank negotiations.
Apple named Zomato, Blinkit, Croma, Reliance brands, Tata 1mg, Ixigo and the Apple Store among early merchants. Many shops with contactless card terminals should also work.
