Apple Pay Could Launch in India Next Month With Axis Bank

Apple Pay could finally make its long-awaited debut in India as early as October 2026, nearly 12 years after Apple introduced its mobile payment service in the United States. According to Reuters, Apple is preparing to launch the service in India with Axis Bank as its initial banking partner.

The reported launch would mark Apple's entry into one of the world's largest digital payments markets. However, Apple has not publicly confirmed an October launch date, and the initial rollout is expected to be limited compared with the full Apple Pay experience available in some other countries.

Apple Pay May Start With Axis Bank Credit Cards

According to the Reuters report, Apple Pay's initial Indian rollout is expected to support Axis Bank credit cards. Apple is also reportedly in discussions with HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank, although agreements with those banks had not been finalized at the time of the report.

The reported phased approach would allow Apple to introduce its payment platform gradually, with additional banks potentially added later. For eligible users, Apple Pay would allow supported cards to be added to Apple Wallet and used for contactless payments with compatible iPhones and Apple Watch devices.

How Apple Pay Could Work in India

Apple Pay uses tokenized card information, meaning a user's actual card number is not shared with merchants during a transaction. Users can authenticate payments using features such as Face ID or Touch ID, depending on the device.

At compatible payment terminals, users can bring an iPhone or Apple Watch close to the terminal to make a contactless payment. India's regulatory environment has also become more compatible with biometric authentication for card transactions, which could help services such as Apple Pay operate more smoothly in the country.

Apple Pay Faces a Huge UPI Ecosystem

Apple Pay would enter India at a time when Unified Payments Interface (UPI) dominates everyday digital payments. UPI processed around 24.5 billion transactions worth ₹29.82 lakh crore in August 2026, according to figures reported by Business Today and Reuters. UPI accounted for about 84% of India's digital payment volume, highlighting the scale of the existing ecosystem.

This means Apple's initial strategy is expected to focus more on card-based contactless payments rather than replacing UPI for QR-code payments and direct bank-account transfers. Apple Pay therefore would not necessarily replace services such as UPI apps. Instead, Indian iPhone users could have another payment option for transactions where supported credit cards and contactless terminals are available.

India Is Also Expanding Tap-to-Pay Payments

The expected Apple Pay launch comes as India's payments ecosystem is itself expanding contactless payment options. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) recently introduced a tap-and-pay capability for UPI, allowing users with compatible smartphones to make contactless payments using NFC technology. Reuters reported that the feature was introduced shortly before the anticipated Apple Pay rollout.

The development could make contactless smartphone payments increasingly familiar to Indian consumers, even as UPI remains the country's dominant digital payment system.

Apple Pay's Long Wait in India

Apple launched Apple Pay in the United States in 2014, and the service has since expanded to numerous markets around the world. Apple said in January 2026 that Apple Pay was available in 89 markets, supported by more than 11,000 banks and network partners and more than 20 local payment networks.

India has remained one of the major markets where Apple Pay was unavailable, despite Apple's growing presence in the country's smartphone market. An Indian launch would therefore represent a significant expansion of Apple's financial services ecosystem in the region.

When Could Apple Pay Launch in India?

Current reporting points to October 2026 for an initial Apple Pay rollout in India, beginning with Axis Bank credit cards. However, Apple has not publicly announced a specific launch date, so the reported timeline should be treated as unconfirmed until the company makes an official announcement.

If the reported launch goes ahead, Apple Pay could initially provide Indian iPhone and Apple Watch users with a new way to make contactless card payments while continuing to use UPI for QR-based payments and bank-account transfers.

What to Expect

Possible launch: October 2026
Reported first banking partner: Axis Bank
Initial cards: Axis Bank credit cards
Other banks reportedly in talks: HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank
Devices: Compatible iPhone and Apple Watch
Payment method: Contactless card payments using NFC
UPI: Expected to remain important for QR and bank-account payments

Bottom Line

Apple Pay could finally arrive in India next month, potentially ending years of speculation about Apple's payment service entering the country's massive digital payments market.

The reported Axis Bank partnership could be the first step in a broader rollout, although the launch date, supported banks and exact availability have yet to be officially confirmed by Apple.