Apple Pay could finally be coming to India. Apple is reportedly preparing to launch its payment service in the country as early as October 2026, initially working with Axis Bank to support credit cards.
If the rollout happens as reported, it would bring Apple's contactless payment service to one of the world's biggest smartphone markets after years of waiting. India has a huge digital payments ecosystem, but Apple Pay has so far remained unavailable for mainstream use.
Apple is reportedly starting with Axis Bank
According to people familiar with the matter cited by Reuters, Apple is working with Axis Bank for the initial launch.
The first phase is expected to support Axis Bank credit cards, with Apple continuing discussions with other Indian banks to expand compatibility.
Starting with one major banking partner would allow Apple to test the service locally before expanding support to more cards and financial institutions.
How Apple Pay could work in India
Apple Pay allows users to add supported debit or credit cards to the Wallet app on an iPhone or Apple Watch.
Once a card is added, users can make contactless payments at compatible payment terminals by authenticating with Face ID, Touch ID or the device passcode.
The system is based on NFC technology, meaning users generally do not need to open a banking application every time they make a payment.
India already has a huge contactless payments ecosystem
Apple is entering a market where digital payments are already deeply established.
UPI dominates everyday digital transactions, while contactless card payments are also supported by many Indian banks and payment networks.
Apple Pay would therefore not replace UPI. Instead, it would give iPhone and Apple Watch users another way to use supported bank cards for in-store payments.
Why Apple Pay took so long to arrive
India's payment ecosystem is different from markets where Apple Pay became popular earlier.
UPI has developed into India's dominant digital payment infrastructure, with banks, fintech companies and merchants heavily integrated into the system. Apple has also needed to work with local financial institutions and payment requirements before launching its service.
The reported Axis Bank partnership could represent the beginning of a broader rollout.
The launch could expand beyond one bank
The reported initial launch is expected to involve a single major banking partner, but Apple is working to increase support among Indian lenders.
If more banks join, Apple Pay could become more useful for Indian iPhone users who already have eligible credit and debit cards.
However, Apple and the banks involved have not publicly confirmed a final nationwide launch date, so October should currently be treated as a reported target rather than a confirmed launch date.
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