Apple could bring its Apple Pay service to India as early as October, according to reports, marking the company’s entry into a digital payments market dominated by UPI.
The service is expected to begin with card payments, with Axis Bank likely to be among its first banking partners. Apple is also reported to be in talks with HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank about supporting the platform.
Apple Pay allows users to add eligible debit or credit cards to the Apple Wallet on an iPhone or Apple Watch. At a contactless payment terminal, users can authenticate the transaction using Face ID or Touch ID and tap their device to pay.
The service uses tokenisation to protect card information. Merchants do not receive the user’s actual card number during a transaction, with a unique digital identifier used instead.
Visa and Mastercard cards are expected to form part of the initial offering, although the final list of supported cards and banks has not been announced.
The major question is whether UPI will be part of Apple Pay in India. Some reports suggest Apple is exploring UPI integration, while others indicate that the initial service could remain focused on cards.
UPI support would be significant because India’s payment habits are very different from those in many markets where Apple Pay is already established. QR-code payments have become common at shops, restaurants and small businesses, with platforms such as PhonePe, Google Pay and Paytm widely used for UPI transactions.
A card-focused Apple Pay service would therefore complement existing payment methods rather than replace them. Users could use their iPhones or Apple Watches for contactless card payments where compatible terminals are available.
Bringing UPI to the platform would require coordination with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and a partner bank. The discussions around Apple’s India plans have reportedly included these requirements, but there is no official confirmation yet.
Apple Pay has been available internationally since 2014, but India has remained a notable exception. Apple’s growing customer base in the country has made an India rollout increasingly significant.
The company has expanded its Indian operations in recent years, including iPhone manufacturing and the opening of its first retail stores. A larger installed base of iPhone users also gives Apple a ready audience for a payment service.
Bank partnerships will be important to the rollout. Reports indicate that Apple has been negotiating with Indian lenders and payment networks over issues including card support and commercial arrangements.
The possible arrival of Apple Pay also comes at a time when India’s digital payments market is changing rapidly. UPI remains central to everyday transactions, while banks and technology companies continue to develop new payment products.
Apple’s approach could appeal particularly to users who already rely heavily on the company’s ecosystem. Having cards stored securely in Apple Wallet would allow them to make contactless payments without carrying a physical card.
The experience could also extend across Apple devices, with Apple Watch users able to make payments without taking out their phones.
Apple has not yet publicly confirmed the reported launch date or the banks and payment features that will be available at launch.
The final shape of Apple Pay India will largely depend on whether Apple starts with cards alone or includes UPI. The participating banks and the number of supported cards will also determine how useful the service is to Indian consumers from day one.
