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Apple Pay has officially launched in India, giving eligible Axis Bank credit cardholders contactless payments across Apple devices. The service went live on September 30, 2026, supporting Visa and Mastercard credit cards on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.
Apple introduced the service for store, app, and website payments without PINs or OTPs. Eligible customers can add supported cards through the Axis Bank app or directly inside Apple Wallet.
The launch currently covers only eligible Axis Bank credit cards on Visa and Mastercard networks. RuPay, American Express, debit cards, and other banks remain outside the opening rollout.
Apple Pay works at participating NFC terminals, selected apps, and supported online stores. Apple says Mac support will arrive soon, expanding the service across its device ecosystem.
Apple Pay arrives with a broad merchant network despite limited banking support at launch. Apple Store locations, Blinkit, Croma, Zomato, Tata 1mg, Ixigo, and Reliance brands support the service.
Razorpay, Paytm, Pine Labs, PayU, and Worldline also support participating merchant networks. Terminal activation determines whether a specific checkout accepts Apple Pay, even when contactless cards work there.
Security forms a major part of Apple's payment pitch in India. Apple does not store actual card numbers on devices or its servers during transactions. Instead, Apple creates a unique Device Account Number and encrypts it inside the Secure Element.
Merchants receive tokenized payment information rather than underlying card details during eligible purchases. Jennifer Bailey called Apple Pay an “easy, secure, and private” way to make everyday card payments.
The limited issuer support remains a key feature of Apple's India debut. HDFC Bank, SBI Card, and ICICI Bank together account for about 64% of credit card spending.
Axis Bank represents about 11% of national credit card spending, based on August 2026 figures. HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank remain in discussions with Apple for future support.
Apple Pay enters a payment market where UPI dominates everyday digital transactions. UPI processed 24.51 billion payments worth about Rs 29.82 lakh crore during August. Credit cards recorded about Rs 2.02 lakh crore in spending during the same month.
Also Read: Apple Pay India Could Launch in October 2026: What to Expect
