Apple Pay India Launch: Apple has officially introduced Apple Pay in India, bringing its contactless payment service to iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch users in the country. The service has launched with Axis Bank as its initial banking partner and supports eligible credit cards issued on the Visa and Mastercard networks.

The arrival of Apple Pay gives eligible Apple device users another way to make payments at stores, within supported apps and on participating websites. Instead of repeatedly entering card details at checkout, customers can add a supported card to Apple Wallet and authenticate transactions directly through their Apple device.

Apple confirmed the India launch on September 30, 2026. Support for Mac is expected to be added later.

Apple Pay Starts With Axis Bank Cards in India

At launch, Apple Pay support is available for eligible Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards. Wider bank support is expected as the service expands in India.

This means customers should not assume that every Indian debit or credit card can immediately be added to Apple Pay. Card eligibility depends on the issuing bank, network and the support available at the time the card is added.

The launch also does not mean Apple Pay is replacing India's existing payment systems. Instead, it gives supported Apple users an additional contactless and online card-payment option.

How Does Apple Pay Work at a Store?

Using Apple Pay at a compatible physical payment terminal is designed to be straightforward.

An eligible card must first be added to Apple Wallet. When making a contactless purchase, the user authenticates the transaction on the device and then holds the iPhone or Apple Watch close to a compatible NFC-enabled payment terminal.

Depending on the device, authentication can be completed using Face ID, Touch ID or the device passcode.

Apple says its service allows users to make eligible payments without entering a PIN or OTP at checkout.

However, availability can depend on the merchant, payment terminal, card and transaction conditions.

Apple Pay Can Also Be Used in Apps and on the Web

Apple Pay is not limited to contactless transactions at physical stores. It can also be offered as a payment option inside participating apps and on supported websites.

Where Apple Pay is available at checkout, users can select it instead of manually entering their card number and other payment information each time.

Saved billing, shipping and contact information can also make compatible online transactions faster.

Apple says the service is initially available in India across iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, with Mac support coming soon.

How to Set Up Apple Pay in India

Eligible customers can start by opening the Wallet app on their Apple device and selecting the option to add a payment card.

The user can then follow the on-screen instructions to add an eligible Axis Bank credit card. The bank may require verification before the card is activated for Apple Pay.

Once successfully added, the supported card becomes available through Apple Wallet for eligible transactions.

Because the rollout has started with selected Axis Bank cards, users whose cards are not currently supported will need to wait until their bank, card type or network becomes eligible.

How Apple Pay Protects Card Information

Security and privacy are major parts of the Apple Pay system.

Apple says the actual credit or debit card number added to Apple Pay is not stored on the device or on Apple servers. Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned, encrypted and securely stored in the device's Secure Element.

When a transaction is made, the merchant does not receive the user's actual card number. Apple Pay uses the Device Account Number along with a transaction-specific security code to process the payment.

This tokenised approach reduces the need to expose the original card number during a transaction.

Will Card Rewards Continue With Apple Pay?

Using a supported card through Apple Pay does not necessarily mean customers have to give up their existing card benefits.

Eligible users can generally continue receiving applicable rewards and benefits associated with their card, subject to the terms and conditions of the card issuer and individual offer.

Customers should check with Axis Bank for the exact reward, cashback or promotional conditions applicable to transactions made through Apple Pay.

Which Apple Devices Support Apple Pay in India?

Device compatibility depends on Apple's current hardware and software requirements.

According to information accompanying the India rollout, supported devices include compatible iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch models running the required software. Users should keep their devices updated and check Apple's official compatibility information before attempting to add a card.

Support for Mac is expected to follow later, further expanding the ways Apple customers can use the payment service.

What the India Launch Means for Apple Users

Apple Pay's entry into India expands payment choices for people already using compatible Apple devices and eligible cards. At launch, however, availability is relatively limited because the service begins with supported Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards.

The more important change for eligible users is convenience. A supported card can be stored in Apple Wallet and used for contactless payments without physically taking the card out at compatible terminals.

With Apple indicating that it intends to broaden support, the service could eventually become available to customers of additional Indian banks and card networks.

For now, users interested in Apple Pay should first confirm whether their Axis Bank card is eligible, update their Apple device to the required software version, and then check the Wallet app for the option to add the card.