Apple Pay could finally make its debut in India as early as October 2026, ending years of speculation over when Apple’s digital payment service would enter one of the world’s largest digital payments markets.
According to reports, Apple is preparing an initial rollout with Axis Bank credit cards, although the company has not yet officially announced the India launch or confirmed the final list of features.
Axis Bank Could Be First Partner
The initial rollout is expected to begin with Axis Bank credit cards.
Apple is reportedly in discussions with other major private-sector banks, including HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank, but agreements with these lenders have not yet been finalised.
The company is expected to follow a phased approach, adding more banks after the initial launch.
Tap And Pay With iPhone And Apple Watch
Apple Pay allows users to add supported cards to Apple Wallet and make contactless payments using an iPhone or Apple Watch.
Instead of physically using a credit card, users can authenticate transactions through Face ID, Touch ID or the device passcode.
The service uses tokenised card information, meaning the actual card number is not directly shared with merchants during transactions.
UPI Support Remains Unclear
One of the biggest questions surrounding the India launch is whether Apple Pay will support UPI from day one.
Some reports have indicated that Apple could integrate UPI into Apple Pay, while other reports suggest the initial rollout will focus on card-based payments and may not include UPI.
Apple would need the necessary arrangements and approvals to offer UPI functionality.
This distinction is important because UPI dominates India’s everyday digital payments, particularly QR-code transactions.
India Has Been A Major Missing Market
Apple Pay was launched in the US in 2014 and has since expanded to numerous countries and regions around the world.
India has remained one of the major markets where the service has been unavailable despite Apple’s growing presence.
The company’s increasing iPhone user base in India has made the country a more important market for Apple’s services ecosystem.
How Apple Pay Could Work In India
If the reported initial rollout goes ahead, an eligible Axis Bank credit card could be added to Apple Wallet.
Users would then be able to make contactless payments at compatible NFC-enabled payment terminals without opening a separate payment application.
The service could also eventually support online and in-app purchases, depending on the cards, merchants and features enabled for the Indian market.
Competition With UPI
Apple Pay will enter a market where UPI has become deeply integrated into everyday transactions.
UPI allows users to transfer money directly between bank accounts and make merchant payments through QR codes and supported applications.
Apple Pay’s initial card-focused model would therefore target a different segment of the payments ecosystem rather than directly replacing most UPI transactions.
However, if UPI support is eventually added, Apple Pay could become a more comprehensive payment platform for Indian iPhone users.
October Launch Still Needs Confirmation
The reported October launch would mark a major expansion of Apple’s payments ecosystem in India.
However, Apple has not officially confirmed the launch date, participating banks or the complete feature set.
The initial rollout, if confirmed, is expected to be gradual, with additional banks potentially joining the service over time.
For Indian iPhone users, the arrival of Apple Pay could finally bring Apple’s native wallet-based payment experience to the country after more than a decade of waiting.
Summary
Apple Pay could launch in India as early as October 2026, with Axis Bank reportedly set to become its initial banking partner for credit cards. The service is expected to support contactless payments through iPhones and Apple Watch. UPI support remains uncertain, with reports differing over whether it will be available at launch or added later.
