Reports suggest Apple Pay could launch in India in October 2026 through an initial partnership with Axis Bank. The rollout would reportedly allow eligible Axis Bank cardholders to make contactless payments using supported iPhones and Apple Watches. If confirmed, the launch would mark Apple’s entry into India’s expanding digital payments market, where mobile transactions and contactless payment adoption continue growing rapidly nationwide.

The payment service allows consumers to store digital versions of their Axis Bank credit cards inside the Apple Wallet app. When making purchases at point-of-sale terminals, users complete transactions by tapping their device and authenticating via biometric features like Face ID or Touch ID. Transaction details remain tokenized, ensuring actual credit card numbers are never shared with merchants or stored on Apple servers.

Can Apple Pay Compete With UPI In India?

India relies heavily on UPI for routine digital transactions, but Apple Pay is targeting premium smartphone users who frequently use credit cards. Recent regulatory updates from the Reserve Bank of India permitting device-native biometric authentication have made this rollout possible. Apple continues discussions with other major financial institutions like HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank to expand its card issuer network after the initial launch.

Apple’s share of the Indian smartphone market has expanded significantly over recent years, creating a growing base of premium device owners. Bringing its native payment service to India enables Apple to enhance its ecosystem while providing cardholders with a secure tap-and-pay alternative to physical plastic cards.