Apple Pay could finally make its debut in India in October 2026, more than a decade after Apple introduced the payment service in the United States. The reported launch would mark Apple’s entry into one of the world’s biggest digital payments markets, where UPI has become the dominant payment method.
According to recent reports citing Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and people familiar with Apple’s plans, the initial rollout is expected to focus on card-based contactless payments. Axis Bank is reportedly set to be the first major banking partner, while discussions with HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank are continuing.
Apple Pay India: How Will It Work?
Apple Pay allows users to add supported bank cards to Apple Wallet and make contactless payments using compatible iPhones and Apple Watch devices. Instead of handing over a physical card, users can authenticate transactions through Face ID, Touch ID or a device passcode.
The service uses tokenised card information, meaning the actual card number is not shared with merchants during a payment. This is the same basic contactless-payment model Apple uses in other markets.
For Indian users, this could make paying at compatible NFC-enabled point-of-sale terminals more convenient, particularly for those who already use credit cards regularly.
Will Apple Pay Support UPI?
UPI support remains one of the biggest unanswered questions surrounding the Indian launch.
Some recent reports have suggested that Apple Pay could eventually support UPI, while other reporting indicates that the service may initially launch without UPI, beginning with Visa and Mastercard credit cards. Apple would require the necessary arrangements with NPCI and a sponsor bank to offer UPI transactions through Apple Pay.
This distinction is important because UPI dominates India’s digital payments ecosystem. Reuters reported that UPI accounted for about 84% of digital transaction volume, making local integration particularly significant for any payment service entering India.
Which Banks Could Support Apple Pay?
Axis Bank is reportedly expected to be the initial banking partner, particularly for its credit cards. Apple has also been in discussions with HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank, although commercial agreements with those banks were reportedly still being worked out. Apple is expected to expand bank support gradually following the initial rollout.
Why the Launch Matters
Apple Pay’s arrival would give Indian iPhone and Apple Watch users another option for contactless payments without requiring a separate payment application. It also comes at a time when India’s payment ecosystem is expanding NFC-based options, including NPCI’s recently introduced UPI Tap-and-Pay functionality.
However, the exact launch date, supported banks and UPI availability could still change. Users should therefore wait for Apple’s official announcement before assuming that their particular bank or card will be supported.
