Apple Pay launches in India: Here's everything you need to know

Apple rolled out its payment service Apple Pay in India on September 30, partnering with Axis Bank, India’s third largest private bank. The launch brings Apple into a market dominated by the United Payments Interface (UPI) for years.

For now, the service is limited to Axis Bank-issued Visa or Mastercard credit cards.

“India is home to a dynamic and digitally savvy population that continues to embrace a cashless future while expecting the highest standards of security and privacy, and we’re so excited to bring Apple Pay to users in India today,” said Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet.


Here’s everything you need to know about the Apple Pay launch in India:

What is Apple Pay?

Apple Pay is Apple's secure payment service that lets you add credit or debit cards to make purchases faster and easier than using cards or cash, with privacy and security built in. The service also lets users pay in full, split purchases over time, or redeem their card's rewards, points, or miles at checkout.

No PIN required

With the launch, Apple customers in India can enjoy an easy, secure, and private way to pay in stores, in apps, and on the web at retailers of all sizes — all without the need to type in PINs or OTPs, or repeatedly enter payment information.

How does it work?

When customers use a card with Apple Pay, the actual card numbers are not stored on the device or on Apple servers, nor are they shared by Apple with the merchant, the company said. Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned, encrypted, and stored in the Secure Element, a chip designed to store the payment information safely on the device.

What is the procedure to set up Apple Pay?

Users can add an Axis Bank card through the Wallet app on their iPhone by clicking on the plus sign and following the steps. Alternatively, they can also add their card via the Axis Bank app.

Using Apple Pay in stores is simple: double-click the side or Home button, authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode, then hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the contactless reader to pay.

Who can use Apple Pay?

Eligible devices for Apple Pay include iPhone XR and later, running at least iOS 18. It is also available on the Apple Watch Series 6 or later with watchOS 11 or later.

Users can also make purchases with Apple Pay through an iPhone and iPad, with support for Mac coming soon.

Apple Pay will be accepted by merchants, including Apple Store locations, Blinkit, Chaayos, Comet, Croma, Interflora, Ixigo, Le15 Patisserie, Reliance brands, Tata 1mg and Zomato, with more set to join. Apple Pay has over 11,000 bank and network partners in more than 90 countries.

Partnering with Axis Bank

Customers with Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards can add their cards to Apple Pay.

"The introduction of Apple Pay for our Axis Bank-issued Mastercard credit card holders ushers in a new era of contactless commerce, giving Indian consumers greater confidence and peace of mind with every transaction," said Gautam Aggarwal, Mastercard's president of India and South Asia.

Apple has worked closely with payment service providers (PSPs) such as Cashfree, JusPay, Mswipe, Paytm, PayU, Pine Labs, Razorpay, and Worldline to bring Apple Pay to India.

The iPhone maker is seeking a fee of about 20 basis points (0.2%) on transactions, according to a TechCrunch report.