Apple Pay has finally arrived in India. After years of waiting, Apple has started rolling out its payment service to Indian users, beginning with eligible Axis Bank credit cards.
The service went live in India on September 30, 2026, and allows supported users to add their cards to Apple Wallet and use an iPhone or Apple Watch for contactless payments at compatible terminals.
Apple Pay starts with Axis Bank
At launch, Apple Pay supports eligible Axis Bank credit cards running on Visa and Mastercard networks.
Users can add a supported card to Apple Wallet and authenticate payments using Face ID or Touch ID. The same card can also be used through a compatible Apple Watch.
However, not every Axis Bank card is supported yet. RuPay and American Express cards are currently excluded from the initial rollout.
HDFC, ICICI and SBI cards are missing for now
The biggest limitation of the India launch is the small number of supported banks.
HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and SBI Card are not part of the initial Apple Pay rollout. Apple is reportedly working with additional banks, so support could expand in the future.
For now, Indian users will need an eligible Axis Bank Visa or Mastercard credit card to take advantage of Apple Pay.
Apple Pay will not replace UPI
Apple Pay’s arrival is important, but Indian users should not expect it to replace UPI.
Apple Pay mainly gives users a convenient way to use supported credit cards through their iPhone or Apple Watch. Payments still depend on compatible merchant terminals and supporting payment infrastructure.
This means Apple Pay may work at one contactless terminal but not necessarily at every terminal that accepts regular contactless cards.
For online purchases, Apple Pay can also provide a quicker checkout experience wherever the payment option is supported.
Privacy is another major feature
Apple Pay does not simply share the user’s physical card number with the merchant. Apple uses a device-specific payment number and a unique security code for transactions.
This means the actual card number is not directly provided to the merchant during a payment.
FAQ
Is Apple Pay now available in India?
Yes. Apple Pay officially launched in India on September 30, 2026.
Which bank supports Apple Pay first?
Axis Bank is the initial banking partner, with eligible Visa and Mastercard credit cards supported.
Do all Axis Bank cards work with Apple Pay?
No. The initial rollout is limited to eligible Visa and Mastercard credit cards. RuPay and American Express cards are not supported at launch.
Can Apple Pay replace UPI in India?
No. Apple Pay is mainly designed for card payments and contactless transactions. UPI remains a much broader payment system in India.
Can Apple Pay be used with Apple Watch?
Yes. Supported cards can be added to compatible Apple Watch devices and used for contactless payments.
Will HDFC and ICICI cards support Apple Pay?
They are not supported at launch. Apple is expected to expand banking support in the future, but there is no confirmed launch date for those banks.
Passionategeekz Take
Apple Pay arriving in India is one of the biggest additions to the iPhone ecosystem in the country in recent years. The launch gives eligible Axis Bank cardholders a simple way to pay using an iPhone or Apple Watch without taking out the physical card.
But the first version is clearly limited. With only selected Axis Bank cards supported and merchant acceptance still developing, Apple Pay has a long way to go before it becomes a mainstream payment option in India.
The real game changer will be broader bank support, especially from HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and SBI Card. If Apple can expand the service quickly, Apple Pay could become a much more useful part of the Indian iPhone experience.
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