Apple Pay Is Now Available in India With Axis Bank Cards

Apple Pay is officially available in India, giving eligible users another way to make payments with compatible Apple devices. The service currently supports eligible Axis Bank credit cards using Visa and Mastercard.

The launch brings Apple’s payment platform to one of the world’s largest digital payment markets. For now, availability is limited by supported banks, card networks, and participating merchants.

Apple Pay Starts With Axis Bank

At launch, customers need an eligible Axis Bank credit card on either the Visa or Mastercard network to use Apple Pay. Once the card is supported, users can add it to Apple Wallet and use it for eligible contactless and online payments. Apple Pay is designed to provide a convenient way to pay without repeatedly entering card details at checkout.

However, not every card is supported. RuPay cards are currently unavailable, while cards from several other major Indian banks have not yet been added to the service.

Apple Pay Comes to iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch

Apple Pay isn't limited to the iPhone. Compatible iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch users can access the service, allowing supported cards to be used across different Apple devices. Apple has also indicated that Mac support is planned.

Depending on the merchant and payment method, Apple Pay can be used for purchases in stores, apps, and supported websites.

Not Every Store Will Accept Apple Pay

Although Apple Pay has launched nationwide, that doesn't mean it will work at every contactless payment terminal. The merchant and payment terminal must support Apple Pay for contactless transactions. Users may therefore find that acceptance varies between stores and locations.

Apple Pay vs. India's UPI Ecosystem

Apple Pay enters a market where UPI (Unified Payments Interface) already plays a major role in everyday digital payments.

Unlike UPI, Apple Pay is primarily designed around supported payment cards stored in Apple Wallet. This means Apple's service adds another payment option rather than replacing UPI. The established popularity of UPI also means Apple Pay's initial rollout will depend heavily on card support and merchant acceptance.

How to Add an Axis Bank Card to Apple Wallet

Eligible Axis Bank customers can add their supported card through the Wallet app:

Open Wallet on your iPhone.
Tap the + button.
Select the option to add a card.
Enter or scan your card information.
Follow the verification steps provided by Axis Bank.
Once approved, the card will be available for supported Apple Pay transactions.

Not every Axis Bank card is necessarily eligible, so customers should check their individual card's compatibility.

More Banks May Join Apple Pay

Axis Bank is Apple's initial banking partner in India, but the service could expand to additional banks and card networks over time. Customers who use cards from banks that aren't currently supported will need to wait for those institutions to introduce Apple Pay compatibility.

What the India Launch Means for Apple Users

Apple Pay's arrival gives Indian Apple users another option for making card-based payments.

The initial rollout is relatively limited, with support depending on eligible Axis Bank cards, Visa or Mastercard networks, compatible Apple devices, and participating merchants. Broader bank and card support could make the service more accessible as Apple's presence in India's payments market develops.

Final Thoughts

Apple Pay is now available in India, starting with eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards.

The service works across compatible iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch devices, while Mac support is expected in the future. For now, users with unsupported cards or banks will need to continue using other available payment methods. As Apple expands its partnerships in India, Apple Pay could become available to a wider range of customers and cards.