Apple Pay has officially launched in India on September 30, 2026, ending years of waiting for Apple's contactless payment service to arrive in the country. At launch, eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards can be added to Apple Pay, while support for more banks is expected to expand.
The launch also raises several questions for Indian iPhone users: How do you install Apple Pay? Which banks support it? Can Apple Pay replace UPI? Is it free? And how does it actually work in India?
Is Apple Pay available in India?
Yes. Apple Pay is now available in India.
Apple says users in India can use Apple Pay on iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, with Mac support coming soon. The service can be used for payments in stores, apps and on the web at participating merchants.
However, the initial rollout is limited. At launch, Apple Pay supports eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards. RuPay cards and cards from other major banks are not part of the initial rollout.
Which banks allow Apple Pay in India?
At launch, Axis Bank is Apple's first banking partner in India.
Eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards can be added to Apple Pay. Apple has indicated that the service will expand to additional banks and cards over time.
| Bank/card availability | Apple Pay support |
|---|---|
| Axis Bank Visa credit cards | Supported for eligible cards |
| Axis Bank Mastercard credit cards | Supported for eligible cards |
| Axis Bank RuPay cards | Not supported at launch |
| HDFC Bank cards | Not supported at launch |
| ICICI Bank cards | Not supported at launch |
| Other banks | More support expected later |
Bank and card eligibility can change as Apple expands the service, so users should check Apple's latest Apple Pay information before attempting to add a card.
How do I activate Apple Pay on my iPhone?
Setting up Apple Pay is done through the Wallet app on a compatible Apple device.
Steps to add a card to Apple Pay
- Open the Wallet app on your iPhone.
- Tap the Add Card (+) option.
- Select the option to add a debit or credit card.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to add your eligible Axis Bank card.
- Complete any verification requested by your bank.
- Once the card is approved, it can be used through Apple Pay.
Apple Pay uses device-based authentication such as Face ID, Touch ID or the device passcode to authorise payments.
How do you use Apple Pay in India?
For an in-store contactless payment, users can authenticate their Apple device and hold it near a compatible contactless payment terminal.
Apple says Apple Pay can also be used for purchases in apps and on websites where the payment option is supported.
The key difference from a conventional card transaction is that users don't have to manually enter their card number every time they pay.
Can I use Apple Pay on my computer?
Mac support is coming soon in India, according to Apple.
At launch, Apple lists iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch as supported devices in India.
Apple's broader ecosystem allows Apple Pay to be used for online purchases on supported devices and websites, but availability of individual features can depend on the device, operating system and merchant.
Is Apple Pay better than UPI?
Apple Pay and UPI work differently, so they are not direct replacements for each other.
Apple Pay primarily works by adding eligible payment cards to Apple's Wallet and using them for contactless or online transactions. UPI, meanwhile, allows users to transfer money directly between bank accounts and make payments through UPI-enabled apps.
For everyday Indian payments such as sending money to another person, paying a local shop by scanning a QR code or transferring money between bank accounts, UPI remains a fundamentally different payment system.
Apple Pay's initial Indian launch is instead focused on card-based payments, particularly eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
Does Apple Pay support UPI in India?
No, Apple Pay does not support UPI at launch.
This is one of the biggest differences Indian users should understand.
The initial Apple Pay implementation is based on eligible payment cards rather than UPI bank-account payments. Reports following the launch confirm that there is currently no UPI integration.
That means Apple Pay should not currently be viewed as an iPhone version of Google Pay or PhonePe's UPI functionality.
Is Apple Pay free to use?
Apple does not charge users a separate fee simply for using Apple Pay.
However, the underlying card remains subject to the terms and conditions of the card issuer, including any applicable charges, interest or other card-related fees.
Apple itself states that the card used with Apple Pay is provided by the card issuer and that Apple is not a bank.
Is Apple Pay safe to use?
Apple Pay is designed around device authentication and tokenised payment credentials rather than repeatedly sharing the physical card number with merchants.
Transactions can be authorised using Face ID, Touch ID or the device passcode. Apple also says its payment system is designed to keep card information private.
However, users should still follow normal security practices, including protecting their Apple Account, device passcode and banking credentials.
Is Apple Pay the same as Apple Wallet?
No.
Apple Wallet is the app used to store supported cards, passes and other items.
Apple Pay is Apple's payment service that allows compatible cards stored in Wallet to be used for eligible transactions.
So when you add an eligible Axis Bank card to the Wallet app, you can then use that card through Apple Pay.
What iPhones support Apple Pay in India?
Apple Pay compatibility depends on the Apple device and operating-system requirements.
The initial Indian rollout supports compatible iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch devices. Apple has also said Mac support is coming soon.
Because compatibility can vary by device generation and software version, users should check Apple's current requirements before troubleshooting a card that cannot be added.
Apple Pay vs UPI: What's the difference?
| Feature | Apple Pay | UPI |
|---|---|---|
| Main payment method | Linked payment card | Bank-account transfer |
| India launch | September 30, 2026 | Existing Indian payment system |
| UPI support | No, at launch | Yes |
| Contactless NFC | Yes | Depends on app/device |
| QR payments | Not its main Indian launch feature | Widely used |
| Person-to-person transfers | Not the primary function | Yes |
| Initial Apple Pay bank support | Eligible Axis Bank cards | Multiple participating banks |
| Device ecosystem | Apple devices | Android/iPhone apps |
| Authentication | Face ID, Touch ID or passcode | Usually UPI PIN/biometric/app authentication |
Why is Apple Pay's India launch important?
India already has a highly developed digital payments ecosystem, particularly around UPI. Apple entering the market with Apple Pay therefore adds another payment option rather than replacing the country's existing UPI infrastructure.
The initial launch also gives Apple a way to make its hardware ecosystem more useful for contactless card payments in India.
Apple's announcement says the service is intended to work at stores, in apps and on the web, while additional bank and card support can expand the usefulness of Apple Pay over time.
Apple Pay India: Quick Facts
- Launch date: September 30, 2026
- Available in: India
- Initial bank partner: Axis Bank
- Supported cards at launch: Eligible Visa and Mastercard credit cards
- UPI support: No, at launch
- Supported devices: iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch
- Mac: Support coming soon
- Payment types: In-store, in-app and online payments
- Authentication: Face ID, Touch ID or device passcode
- More banks: Expected to be added over time
FAQs
Is Apple Pay available in India?
Yes. Apple Pay officially launched in India on September 30, 2026, initially with eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
How do I install Apple Pay?
You don't need to install a separate Apple Pay app. Add an eligible card through the Wallet app on your compatible Apple device and complete the required verification.
Is Apple Pay better than UPI?
They serve different purposes. Apple Pay's Indian launch focuses on card-based payments, while UPI is designed for bank-account payments, transfers and QR-based transactions. Apple Pay currently does not support UPI in India.
Which banks allow Apple Pay?
At launch, Axis Bank is the supported banking partner, with eligible Visa and Mastercard credit cards. Apple is expected to expand support to additional banks and cards.
Is Apple Pay free to use?
Apple does not charge a separate fee for using Apple Pay, although normal terms and charges associated with the underlying bank card can still apply.
Is Apple Pay my phone number?
No. Apple Pay is not your phone number or a separate bank account. It is a payment service that lets you use eligible cards stored in Apple Wallet.