Apple Pay in India (2026): How to Set Up, Supported Banks & My Experience
Apple Pay has finally launched in India.
Apple officially announced the arrival of Apple Pay in India on September 30, 2026, bringing its contactless payment service to Indian users after years of waiting.
At launch, Apple Pay is available on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, while support for Mac is coming soon. However, there is one major limitation: Apple Pay currently starts with Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
I also set up Apple Pay after learning about its India launch, and the setup worked successfully for me. That makes this launch particularly interesting because Apple Pay is no longer just an upcoming feature for Indian users — it is now live and usable with eligible cards and devices.
In this guide, we will look at how Apple Pay works in India, which cards and banks are supported, how to set it up, how to make payments, security features, and my initial experience using it.
Is Apple Pay Available in India?
Yes. Apple Pay is now officially available in India.
Apple announced the service on September 30, 2026. Indian customers with eligible Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards can add their cards to Apple Wallet and use Apple Pay for purchases.
At launch, Apple Pay can be used across:
- iPhone
- Apple Watch
- iPad
- Physical stores with compatible contactless payment terminals
- Supported apps
- Supported websites
Apple has also confirmed that Mac support is coming soon.
This is an important development for Indian Apple users because they can now use their Apple devices for card-based contactless payments instead of taking out their physical credit card at supported payment terminals.
Which Banks Support Apple Pay in India?
At launch, Axis Bank is the first Indian bank to support Apple Pay.
According to both Apple and Axis Bank, Axis Bank credit card customers on the Visa and Mastercard networks can use supported cards with Apple Pay.
Apple Pay India Supported Cards
Currently, the launch support includes:
Bank: Axis Bank
Card Type: Credit Cards
Networks: Visa and Mastercard
This means you should not assume that every Indian credit or debit card can be added to Apple Pay.
Support is limited at launch, and additional banks or card types may be added later.
If your card does not appear to be supported, check with your card issuer rather than trying unofficial workarounds.
Does Apple Pay Support RuPay or UPI in India?
Apple’s India launch announcement specifically confirms Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
The launch announcement does not introduce RuPay or UPI as Apple Pay payment methods.
This is an important distinction because Apple Pay and UPI currently work very differently in India.
UPI generally enables direct bank-to-bank payments and QR-code payments. Apple Pay’s initial India implementation is based on supported credit cards and contactless NFC payments.
Therefore, Apple Pay should not currently be considered a replacement for UPI apps in India.
Instead, it provides another payment option, particularly for eligible iPhone and Apple Watch users who regularly use credit cards.
How to Set Up Apple Pay in India
Setting up Apple Pay is relatively simple if you have an eligible card.
Apple says customers can add an eligible card through the latest version of the Axis Bank mobile app or directly through Apple Wallet.
Method 1: Add Your Card Through Apple Wallet
- Open the Wallet app on your iPhone.
- Tap the + (plus) button.
- Choose the option to add a payment card.
- Follow the instructions shown on your screen.
- Add your eligible Axis Bank Visa or Mastercard credit card.
- Complete the bank’s verification process if requested.
- Once successfully added, the card will appear in Apple Wallet.
After the card is activated in Wallet, you can start using Apple Pay at supported locations.
Method 2: Add Your Card Through the Axis Bank App
You can also use the latest version of the Axis Bank mobile banking app to add an eligible card to Apple Wallet.
Follow the Apple Pay or Wallet option provided inside the bank’s app and complete the on-screen instructions.
The exact verification process may vary depending on your account and card.
My Experience Setting Up Apple Pay in India
After reading about the Apple Pay India launch, I decided to try it myself.
I went ahead with the setup process on my Apple device and successfully activated Apple Pay. More importantly, after completing the setup, the service worked for me.
The experience makes the launch feel much more significant than simply reading an announcement about Apple Pay coming to India.
Once the supported card is available inside Apple Wallet, accessing it for a payment is quick, and you don’t need to repeatedly enter your full card information for supported Apple Pay transactions.
Of course, individual experiences can vary depending on the card, device, merchant, payment terminal and bank verification requirements.
But based on my initial setup and test, Apple Pay is genuinely live and functional in India for eligible users.
How to Pay With Apple Pay in Stores
Once your eligible card is added to Apple Wallet, making a contactless payment is straightforward.
For an iPhone with Face ID:
- Double-click the side button.
- Your default payment card should appear.
- Authenticate using Face ID or your device passcode.
- Hold the top of your iPhone near the contactless payment reader.
- Wait for the payment confirmation.
On supported devices with Touch ID, authentication can be completed using Touch ID or the device passcode where applicable.
Apple Watch users can also make contactless payments by authenticating and holding the watch near a compatible contactless reader.
You should look for contactless payment support at the merchant’s payment terminal.
Where Can You Use Apple Pay in India?
Apple says Apple Pay will be accepted across millions of merchants in India through supported merchant and payment networks.
Some of the brands Apple specifically mentioned at launch include:
- Apple Store
- Blinkit
- Chaayos
- Comet
- Croma
- Interflora
- Ixigo
- Le15 Patisserie
- Reliance brands
- Tata 1mg
- Zomato
Apple has also worked with payment service providers including Cashfree, Juspay, Mswipe, Paytm, PayU, Pine Labs, Razorpay, Worldline and others to bring Apple Pay to merchant networks.
However, seeing a familiar merchant name does not necessarily mean every individual checkout or terminal will behave identically.
For physical stores, the payment terminal needs compatible contactless/NFC functionality and must accept the card network you are using.
Can You Use Apple Pay for Online Shopping?
Yes.
Apple Pay is not limited to physical stores.
Users can make purchases in supported apps and on supported websites using Apple Pay on iPhone and iPad.
Instead of repeatedly entering card numbers, billing information and other payment details, users can select Apple Pay when a participating merchant provides it as a checkout option.
Mac support in India is also expected, although Apple says it is coming later.
Do You Need a PIN or OTP With Apple Pay?
One of the conveniences Apple highlights for Apple Pay is authentication through the Apple device.
For supported Apple Pay transactions, users authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID or their device passcode rather than repeatedly entering payment information.
Apple specifically says its India launch enables users to pay without having to type PINs or OTPs at checkout.
The device itself becomes an important part of payment authentication.
Is Apple Pay Safe to Use in India?
Apple Pay is designed so that your actual card number is not simply handed over to a merchant every time you make a payment.
According to Apple, when a card is added to Apple Pay, the actual card number is not stored on the device or on Apple’s servers.
Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned, encrypted and stored in the device’s Secure Element.
When a payment is made, this system allows the transaction to be processed without sharing your full physical card number with the merchant.
Authentication through Face ID, Touch ID or the device passcode adds another layer of protection.
What Happens If Your iPhone Is Lost?
Losing a phone containing payment cards naturally sounds concerning, but Apple provides security controls for this situation.
If an iPhone is lost or stolen, Apple says users can use the Find My app to locate the device, lock it or suspend the ability to make payments from that device.
Because Apple Pay payments also require device authentication, someone finding your phone cannot simply use your Apple Pay card in the same way they might use an unlocked physical contactless card.
Does Apple Store Your Transaction History?
Apple says it does not retain transaction information that can be tied back to an individual user.
According to the company, transactions remain between the customer, merchant and bank or card issuer.
Privacy is one of the major features Apple promotes as part of the Apple Pay experience.
Will You Still Get Credit Card Rewards?
Yes.
Apple says customers using Apple Pay will continue to receive the rewards and benefits offered by their eligible cards.
That means using an eligible Axis Bank credit card through Apple Pay does not automatically mean giving up the normal rewards associated with the card.
However, specific reward eligibility can depend on your individual card’s terms and the type of transaction, so it is always worth checking the conditions of your particular credit card.
Apple Pay vs UPI: What’s the Difference?
Although both can be used for digital payments, Apple Pay and UPI are not the same thing.
UPI is deeply integrated into India’s banking system and is widely used for direct bank-to-bank transactions and QR-code payments.
Apple Pay’s India launch, on the other hand, initially revolves around eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
With Apple Pay, an eligible credit card is stored securely in Apple Wallet and the Apple device can then be used for supported contactless and online payments.
So for now, Apple Pay is better viewed as an additional secure way to use eligible cards rather than a direct replacement for UPI.
Why Apple Pay’s India Launch Matters
India already has one of the world’s most active digital payment ecosystems, largely thanks to UPI.
That means Apple Pay is entering a market where consumers are already extremely comfortable paying digitally.
Its advantage is different.
For Apple users who prefer credit cards, Apple Pay can make card payments feel much more integrated with the devices they already use.
Instead of carrying or pulling out a physical card, eligible users can authenticate on their iPhone or Apple Watch and tap at a compatible terminal.
Online checkout can also become faster because participating websites and apps can offer Apple Pay without requiring customers to repeatedly type their card details.
Current Limitations of Apple Pay in India
Apple Pay’s India launch is exciting, but it is still an early rollout.
The biggest limitation is bank and card support.
At launch, support is focused on Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards. This means users with cards from other banks should not expect them to work unless those issuers officially add Apple Pay support.
Apple’s launch announcement also does not introduce UPI or RuPay support.
Mac support is another feature that Apple says is coming soon rather than being part of the initial availability.
As Apple Pay expands in India, bank, card, device and merchant support may change, so users should check current official information before assuming their card is compatible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Apple Pay officially available in India?
Yes. Apple officially launched Apple Pay in India on September 30, 2026.
Which bank supports Apple Pay in India?
Axis Bank is the first Indian bank to support Apple Pay at launch.
Which cards work with Apple Pay in India?
Eligible Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards are supported at launch.
Can I add an HDFC, ICICI, SBI or another bank’s card?
Apple’s launch announcement confirms Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards. Do not assume another bank’s card is supported unless that bank or Apple officially confirms compatibility.
Does Apple Pay support UPI?
Apple’s initial India announcement does not include UPI support. The launch is based on eligible credit cards.
Does Apple Pay support RuPay cards?
The initial announcement covers eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards, not RuPay cards.
Can I use Apple Pay on Apple Watch?
Yes. Apple Pay is available on compatible Apple Watch devices in India.
Can I use Apple Pay on iPad?
Yes. Apple Pay is available on iPad for supported purchases, including compatible apps and online checkouts.
Is Apple Pay available on Mac in India?
Not at launch. Apple says Mac support is coming soon.
Can I use Apple Pay at any NFC machine?
The merchant’s payment setup must support compatible contactless payments and accept your card/payment network. Therefore, you should not assume that every NFC terminal will necessarily accept your Apple Pay transaction.
Does Apple Pay charge users an extra fee?
Apple’s consumer launch information does not announce a separate fee that customers must pay simply for using Apple Pay. Your card issuer’s normal terms, fees and transaction conditions can still apply.
Final Thoughts
Apple Pay’s launch in India is a major development for iPhone and Apple Watch users who prefer contactless card payments.
The initial rollout is limited — Axis Bank is the first participating Indian bank, with eligible Visa and Mastercard credit cards supported — but the core Apple Pay experience is finally available in India.
I set it up myself after learning about the launch, and it worked successfully in my initial use. The setup was straightforward, and being able to access a supported card directly from an Apple device makes contactless payments convenient.
The biggest question now is how quickly Apple Pay expands beyond its initial launch partners.
If more Indian banks, cards and merchants join the platform over time, Apple Pay could become a much more useful everyday payment option for Apple users in India.
For now, if you have an eligible Axis Bank credit card and a compatible Apple device, Apple Pay is officially here — and it works.