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Apple Pay is expected to launch in India in October with Axis Bank credit cards first. Visa and Mastercard support is likely, while UPI support remains uncertain for launch.
Apple Pay could finally arrive in India in October 2026, nearly 12 years after its US debut. According to Reports, Apple is preparing a phased rollout beginning with Axis Bank credit cards, while discussions with HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank are also underway. The initial service is expected to focus on contactless payments through iPhone and Apple Watch. UPI support remains uncertain, with reports suggesting it may not be available at launch, although Apple could add it later.
Apple is reportedly preparing to launch Apple Pay in India as early as October 2026. Reported that the service could initially be available with Axis Bank credit cards.
Apple has not officially announced the launch date, so October should currently be treated as an expected timeline rather than a confirmed date. The reported rollout is also expected to be phased, meaning support for other banks could arrive later.
Axis Bank is expected to be the first major Indian banking partner for Apple Pay, with the initial rollout reportedly centred on credit cards. The timing could also be significant for iPhone 18 users in India, as Apple's latest flagship lineup could be among the first devices used with the service once it launches. Visa and Mastercard cards are expected to be supported.
According to RBI data cited in reports, Axis Bank had around 16.26 million active credit cards in July 2026. Apple is also reportedly in discussions with HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank, although commercial terms with these banks had not been finalised when the development was reported.
Expected initial support includes:
UPI is one of the biggest questions surrounding the India launch. Earlier reports indicated that Apple Pay could initially arrive without UPI support, while other recent reports have suggested that Apple is considering UPI integration.
For now, Apple has not officially confirmed UPI support or provided a timeline. Therefore, users should not assume that Apple Pay will replace UPI apps immediately after launch.
The timing is particularly interesting because India has just expanded UPI into NFC payments. NPCI introduced a UPI tap-and-pay facility in September 2026, allowing users to make payments at compatible terminals by tapping their smartphones. UPI processed 24.51 billion transactions worth ₹29.82 trillion in August alone.
Apple Pay allows users to add eligible bank cards to the Wallet app and make contactless payments using compatible Apple devices.
Instead of sharing the physical card number with merchants, Apple Pay uses tokenised payment credentials. Users can authenticate transactions with Face ID, Touch ID or their device passcode.
For Indian users, the biggest practical advantage would be the ability to make card payments without carrying a physical card. However, its usefulness at launch will depend heavily on the number of supported banks and merchants.
Apple Pay launched in the US in 2014 but has taken considerably longer to reach India. The country's highly developed UPI ecosystem makes the market different from many other countries where card-based mobile wallets are more established.
The reported October rollout comes at an interesting time, with Apple entering India just as NFC-based UPI payments are expanding.
For now, the key details are:
If Apple follows the reported timeline, more details about supported cards, banks, UPI integration and the exact launch date should emerge closer to the India rollout.
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FAQs
Question 1: When is Apple Pay officially launching in India?
Apple Pay is expected to launch in India in October 2026, according to reports citing people familiar with Apple's plans, but Apple has not announced an exact date yet.
Question 2: Which banks will support Apple Pay at launch in India?
Axis Bank is expected to be the first banking partner, while Apple is reportedly in talks with HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank for future support.
Question 3: How will UPI integration work with Apple Pay in India?
UPI support has not been officially confirmed for launch, and reports suggest Apple Pay may initially focus on card payments before potentially adding UPI later.
Question 4: Is Apple Pay secure for transactions in India?
Apple Pay uses tokenisation to protect card details, while Face ID, Touch ID or a passcode can authenticate payments without sharing the actual card number with merchants.
Question 5: What devices will be compatible with Apple Pay in India?
Compatible iPhone and Apple Watch models with NFC are expected to support contactless payments, while Apple will confirm India-specific compatibility for iPad and Mac at launch.
