2 hrs ago
Apple Pay Launches in India With Limited Card Support
Apple Pay is now available in India for some Apple-device users.
It lets people add an eligible bank card to the Wallet app.
At present, supported cards are Visa and Mastercard credit cards issued by Axis Bank.
RuPay cards cannot be added, according to the report.
People can approve payments with Face ID, Touch ID or their device passcode.
To pay in a store, they hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near a contactless reader.
Apple Pay works only on compatible devices and at participating retailers.
UPI apps can be used more broadly in India, including for QR-code payments and bank transfers.
Apple launched Apple Pay in India on Wednesday for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch users.
The service currently supports eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards, but not RuPay cards.
Users can authenticate payments with Face ID, Touch ID or a device passcode instead of an OTP or PIN.
Apple Pay requires compatible devices and contactless readers, and is accepted at selected retailers and platforms.
Unlike UPI apps, Apple Pay functions as a card-based digital wallet rather than a system for transferring money between bank accounts.
- Who
- Apple launched Apple Pay for users of compatible iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch devices in India.
- What
- Apple Pay is a digital wallet and contactless payment service that supports eligible payment cards.
- Where
- India, at participating retailers and online platforms.
- When
- The service launched on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
- Why
- The launch gives Apple Pay a presence in one of the world’s largest digital payments markets and offers users a secure way to make payments.
Key facts
- Supported cards
- Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards
- Unsupported cards
- Cards on India’s RuPay network
- Compatible iPhone
- iPhone XR or later running iOS 18 or newer
- Compatible Apple Watch
- Apple Watch Series 6 or later running watchOS 11 or newer
- Payment authentication
- Face ID, Touch ID or device passcode
- Technology
- Near-field communication (NFC)
- Availability
- Apple Store, Blinkit, Chaayos, Croma, Zomato and other listed retailers and platforms
Quotes
Jennifer Bailey
Apple's vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet
“India is home to a dynamic and digitally savvy population that continues to embrace a cashless future while expecting the highest standards of security and privacy, and we're so excited to bring Apple Pay to users in India today.”
livemint.com
A source tracking the development
An unnamed source quoted by Reuters regarding prospective bank partnerships
“Apple Pay is in discussion with other banks as well. Some of them are expected to come onboard by the end of this year.”
livemint.com
Sources
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