After years of availability in other major markets, Apple Pay has arrived in India. Apple announced on Wednesday that the service is now live for users across iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, with Mac support coming soon.
"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," said Jennifer Bailey, Apple's vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet.
At launch, Apple Pay works only with Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards. Users can add these cards and pay at thousands of in-store and online merchants, and anywhere that accepts NFC (tap-to-pay) transactions. At launch, Apple Pay will also be accepted at Apple Store locations.
Users continue to earn the rewards and benefits linked to their cards.
How to Add Your Card
- Through the Axis Bank app: Add your card directly to Apple Wallet via the latest version of the app.
- Through the Wallet app: Open Wallet on iPhone, tap the plus sign and follow the steps to add an eligible card.
Once added, the card can be used right away.
How It Keeps Payments Private
When a card is added to Apple Pay, the actual card number is not stored on the device or on Apple's servers, and Apple does not share it with merchants. Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned, encrypted and stored in the Secure Element, a certified chip on the device.
Apple said it does not keep transaction information that can be tied back to the user. If an iPhone is lost or stolen, users can use the Find My app to locate it, lock it or suspend payments from that device.
Why It Matters: Why Now, and Why No OTP?
Apple's pitch for India is paying "without the need to type in PINs or use OTPs at checkout." That is notable in a country where SMS OTPs have long been the default for digital payments.
The timing aligns with a regulatory shift. The RBI's Authentication Mechanisms for Digital Payment Transactions Directions, 2025, which came into effect on April 1, 2026, allow payment providers to adopt authentication technologies beyond OTPs. Two-factor authentication remains mandatory, but the factors can now include device-native biometrics such as fingerprint or face recognition. Apple Pay's launch comes six months after these rules took effect.
What's Missing at Launch
The announcement mentions only Axis Bank credit cards on Visa and Mastercard. It does not mention debit cards, RuPay cards, other banks or UPI.
That matters in India, where UPI dominates everyday payments through apps like Google Pay and PhonePe. For now, Apple Pay is a card-based service aimed at credit card users, not a replacement for UPI. Its growth will depend on how quickly other banks, card networks and payment methods join.
What the Partners Said
Axis Bank MD and CEO Amitabh Chaudhry said the launch brings greater choice and flexibility to the bank's credit card customers across the Mastercard and Visa networks.
"As India's digital economy accelerates and consumers seek seamless and secure payment experiences, the introduction of Apple Pay for our Axis Bank-issued Mastercard credit card holders ushers in a new era of contactless commerce, giving Indian consumers greater confidence and peace of mind with every transaction," said Gautam Aggarwal, Mastercard's president of India and South Asia.
Suresh Sethi, Visa's group country manager for India and South Asia, called the launch an important milestone in India's digital payments journey.
Apple's India Push
The launch adds to Apple's growing focus on India, where the company recently set a sales record and is seeing strong early demand for the iPhone 18 Pro. Apple Pay is now available in more than 90 countries and regions and works with over 11,000 bank and network partners worldwide.
The Bottom Line
Apple Pay's India debut is a big moment for iPhone users, but a limited one. For now, it is a secure, OTP-free way for Axis Bank credit card holders to tap and pay. Whether it becomes a mainstream payment option will depend on how quickly more banks, card types and possibly UPI are added.
With inputs from IANS.
