Apple Pay has officially launched in India, bringing Apple’s contactless payment service to iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch users in the country. The service is initially available with Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards, making Axis Bank the first Indian banking partner named in Apple’s launch announcement.

The India launch marks an important expansion of Apple’s payments ecosystem in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital payment markets. However, the initial availability is limited. Users whose primary credit card is issued by another Indian bank will have to wait for Apple to announce additional banking partnerships.

Apple Pay is available on supported iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch models, while Mac support is described as coming soon.

Apple Pay Launches in India With Axis Bank Credit Cards

The biggest detail in Apple Pay’s India launch is its limited banking support at launch.

Apple currently lists Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards as supported cards. The company has not named any other Indian bank as part of the initial rollout.

For Axis Bank credit card users, Apple Pay provides a way to make contactless payments at supported terminals without physically handing over the card. Users can authenticate payments through Face ID, Touch ID or their device passcode.

The launch also brings Apple’s broader privacy and security architecture to India's growing digital payments ecosystem.

Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, said the company is bringing Apple Pay to Indian consumers as the country continues to adopt digital and cashless payments.

Apple Pay's launch follows earlier reports about the service's expected arrival in India. The official announcement now confirms the launch, identifies the initial banking partner and names merchants and payment service providers supporting the service.

How to Set Up Apple Pay in India

Axis Bank credit card users can add an eligible card to Apple Wallet either through the Axis Bank app or directly through the Wallet app.

Steps to Add an Axis Bank Card to Apple Pay

  1. Open the Wallet app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap the “+” button to add a new card.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions.
  4. Add your eligible Axis Bank Visa or Mastercard credit card.
  5. Complete the required verification process.
  6. Once the card is verified, it can be used through Apple Pay at supported locations.

Users can also initiate the card addition process through the latest version of the Axis Bank app.

Once a card is added, Apple Pay does not require users to open a separate payment application every time they make a purchase.

How to Pay Using Apple Pay

Using Apple Pay at a contactless payment terminal is designed to be relatively simple.

On compatible iPhones, users can double-click the side button, authenticate using Face ID or the device passcode, and hold the iPhone near a contactless payment terminal.

On older iPhone models with a Home button, users can use the Home button with Touch ID.

Apple Watch users can also use Apple Pay at compatible contactless terminals.

The transaction is completed when the device communicates with the payment terminal and confirms the payment.

Apple says users can continue receiving applicable card rewards and benefits when making eligible purchases through Apple Pay.

Where Can You Use Apple Pay in India?

Apple has announced a number of merchants supporting Apple Pay at launch.

The initial list includes:

Apple says Apple Pay will also be available at other participating merchants where supported contactless payment infrastructure is available.

This means availability can depend on the merchant's payment terminal and the payment infrastructure being used.

Payment Service Providers Supporting Apple Pay

Apple has also named several payment service providers involved in enabling Apple Pay acceptance for merchants in India.

These include:

The involvement of multiple payment infrastructure companies could help Apple Pay reach a wider range of merchants as adoption expands.

Apple says its payment service now operates across more than 90 countries and regions, with more than 11,000 bank and network partners globally.

Apple Pay and India's Digital Payments Market

The arrival of Apple Pay comes at a time when digital payments are already deeply integrated into everyday transactions in India.

UPI has become a major part of India's payment ecosystem, while cards, mobile wallets and contactless payments continue to serve different consumer and merchant requirements.

Apple Pay enters this environment with a different proposition: integrating payment credentials directly into Apple's hardware and software ecosystem.

Instead of requiring users to open a third-party payment app, Apple Pay is built into the Wallet experience on supported Apple devices.

However, its initial limitation to Axis Bank credit cards means the service's reach in India will depend significantly on future partnerships with additional banks and card networks.

Apple Pay Privacy and Security: What Apple Says

Privacy is one of the major elements of Apple's Apple Pay positioning.

According to Apple, a user's actual card number is not stored on the device or Apple's servers and is not shared with merchants during transactions.

Instead, Apple Pay uses a unique Device Account Number, which is encrypted and stored in the device's Secure Element.

This architecture is designed to ensure that merchants do not receive the user's actual card number when a payment is made through Apple Pay.

Apple also says it does not retain transaction information that can be tied back to an individual user.

These statements describe Apple's stated privacy architecture and policies. As with any technology platform, users should review Apple's current privacy documentation and their bank's terms for complete details.

Does Apple Pay Replace UPI in India?

Apple Pay's arrival does not mean that UPI is being replaced.

The two systems operate differently and serve different payment scenarios.

UPI is primarily a bank-account-based payment system that has become a major part of India's digital payments infrastructure. Apple Pay, meanwhile, allows supported payment cards to be stored securely in Apple's Wallet and used through compatible Apple devices.

For consumers who already rely heavily on UPI, Apple Pay may therefore become an additional payment option rather than a replacement.

The service's usefulness will also depend on the expansion of supported banks, cards and merchants.

What the India Launch Means for Apple Users

For eligible Axis Bank credit cardholders, Apple Pay offers a more integrated way to use their existing cards across supported Apple devices.

The immediate benefits include:

The bigger question is what happens next.

Apple's first India banking partnership establishes the foundation for the service, but broader adoption will likely depend on whether additional Indian banks and card issuers join the platform.

What Users Should Know Before Using Apple Pay

Before attempting to add a card, users should make sure they have a supported Axis Bank Visa or Mastercard credit card and a compatible Apple device with the required software.

Users should also understand that Apple Pay availability does not automatically mean every merchant in India accepts it. The payment terminal and merchant's payment infrastructure must support compatible contactless transactions.

If a particular terminal does not support the required payment method, users may need to use another payment option.

Inputs From Agency