Apple Pay launches in India with Axis Bank credit card support

Apple on Wednesday (September 30, 2026) launched Apple Pay in India, allowing users of iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch to make payments with Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards, while support for Mac is coming soon.

The company said the service is available for payments in stores, in apps and on the web, and can be used without typing PINs or using OTPs at checkout.

What has launched

Apple Pay is now available for users in India across iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, with support for Mac coming soon.

The launch brings Apple customers a way to pay at retailers of all sizes in stores, in apps and on the web, according to Apple.

Apple said users will not need to type in PINs or use OTPs at checkout when using Apple Pay.

The Hindu reported that Apple Pay lets iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch users make payments using Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard cards.

The Telegraph reported that Apple Pay has made its India debut more than a decade after the service was rolled out in the United States.

From today, September 30, Apple users can make payments in India via iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch, with support for Mac coming soon, The Telegraph reported.

The service is initially available for Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards, The Telegraph reported.

Apple is planning to add support for more banks over time, an Apple executive told Moneycontrol, according to The Telegraph.

Eligible cards and where they can be used

Customers with Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards can add their cards to Apple Pay.

Apple said those customers can use Apple Pay at thousands of in-store and online merchants across India.

Apple said the service can also be used anywhere that accepts NFC transactions.

At launch, Apple Pay will be accepted by millions of merchants across India, according to Apple.

Apple listed Apple Store locations, Blinkit, Chaayos, Comet, Croma, Interflora, Ixigo, Le15 Patisserie, Reliance brands, Tata 1mg and Zomato among the places where Apple Pay will be accepted at launch.

The Hindu also listed Apple Store locations, Blinkit, Chaayos, Comet, Croma, Interflora, Ixigo, Le15 Patisserie, Reliance brands, Tata 1mg, Zomato and others among sellers and retailers that will accept Apple Pay.

Apple said it has worked closely with payment service providers including Cashfree, Juspay, Mswipe, Paytm, PayU, Pine Labs, Razorpay and Worldline to bring Apple Pay to their merchant networks in India.

The company said even more merchants and apps are coming over time.

The Telegraph reported that Apple has worked closely with Payment Service Providers such as Cashfree, JusPay, Mswipe, Paytm, PayU, Pine Labs, Razorpay and Worldline to bring Apple Pay to their merchant networks in India.

The Telegraph also reported that more merchants and apps are expected over time.

What Apple and partners said

“India is home to a dynamic and digitally savvy population that continues to embrace a cashless future while expecting the highest standards of security and privacy, and we’re so excited to bring Apple Pay to users in India today,” said Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet.

“Apple Pay makes everyday payments with a card easy, secure, and private: from simply tapping to pay in stores without an extra app, PIN, or OTP to checking out online without repeatedly entering payment information,” Jennifer Bailey said.

The Hindu carried the same statement from Bailey, attributing it to Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet.

The Telegraph also quoted Bailey as saying, “India is home to a dynamic and digitally savvy population that continues to embrace a cashless future while expecting the highest standards of security and privacy, and we're so excited to bring Apple Pay to users in India today.”

Apple said its device users will be able to make payments at stores, in apps and on the web without the need to type in PINs or use OTPs at checkout, according to The Telegraph.

“We are at a significant inflection point in payments, where technology, security and changing customer expectations are reshaping how people transact,” said Amitabh Chaudhry, MD & CEO, Axis Bank.

“At Axis Bank, our aspiration is to remain at the forefront of this transformation by building payment experiences that are progressive, trusted and deeply relevant to our customers,” Chaudhry said.

“The introduction of Apple Pay advances this ambition, bringing greater choice and flexibility to our Credit Card customers, with support across the Mastercard and Visa networks,” Chaudhry said.

“As payments become increasingly embedded in customers’ everyday digital lives, our focus is on bringing together innovation and trust, while making every interaction more intuitive and relevant,” Chaudhry said.

“More importantly, this reflects our vision of a more connected and sophisticated payments ecosystem, where technology enables convenience and confidence in every transaction,” Chaudhry said.

The Hindu also quoted Chaudhry as saying, “We are at a significant inflection point in payments, where technology, security and changing customer expectations are reshaping how people transact.”

The Hindu quoted Chaudhry further as saying, “At Axis Bank, our aspiration is to remain at the forefront of this transformation by building payment experiences that are progressive, trusted and deeply relevant to our customers.”

“As India’s digital economy accelerates and consumers seek seamless and secure payment experiences, the introduction of Apple Pay for our Axis Bank-issued Mastercard credit card holders ushers in a new era of contactless commerce, giving Indian consumers greater confidence and peace of mind with every transaction,” said Gautam Aggarwal, Mastercard’s president of India and South Asia.

“With Mastercard’s tokenisation technology, every Apple Pay transaction is protected by a unique, cryptographically secured token, ensuring card details are never shared with merchants, safeguarding consumers against fraud,” Aggarwal said.

“The launch of Apple Pay in India marks an important milestone in the evolution of the country’s digital payments journey,” said Suresh Sethi, Visa’s group country manager of India and South Asia.

“By bringing together Apple’s intuitive consumer experience with Visa’s trusted global network and tokenisation capabilities, Apple Pay brings consumers in India a simpler, safer, and more seamless way to pay,” Sethi said.

“Together, we are expanding consumer choice and helping shape the next generation of commerce in India,” Sethi said.

How to set it up

Apple Pay can be set up by adding a card directly to Apple Wallet through the latest version of the Axis Bank app.

Customers can also open the Wallet app on iPhone, tap the plus sign and follow the steps to add an eligible card.

The Hindu reported that customers can add their eligible credit card to Apple Wallet through the Axis Bank app or through the Wallet app on their iPhone.

The Telegraph reported that setting up Apple Pay in India is straightforward.

The Telegraph said users can add an eligible card through the Wallet app on an iPhone by clicking the plus sign and following the steps.

The Telegraph also reported that users can add their card through the Axis Bank app.

Once a user adds a card to an Apple device, the user can start using Apple Pay right away.

The Telegraph also reported that once the card is added, users can use Apple Pay right away.

How payments work in stores

Apple said using Apple Pay in stores is seamless and easy.

To pay in stores, users can double-click the side button or Home button.

Users then authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID or a device passcode if prompted.

After authentication, users hold the top of the iPhone or the display of the Apple Watch near the contactless reader to pay.

The Hindu reported that users will have to activate their devices and verify their identity if needed before holding the device near a contactless reader.

The Telegraph reported that for an offline purchase using Apple Pay, users need to double click the side button or home button.

The Telegraph reported that users then authenticate through Face ID, Touch ID or their device’s passcode.

The Telegraph said users can then hold the top of the iPhone or display of the Apple Watch near the contactless reader to pay.

The Telegraph also reported that Apple Pay users can add their debit or credit card with the app to make the payment.

Payments in apps and on the web

Users can make purchases with Apple Pay on iPhone and iPad in apps or on the web, according to Apple.

Apple said support for Mac is coming soon.

Apple said this is meant to enable faster and more convenient payments in apps or on the web.

The company said users can pay without having to create accounts or repeatedly type in contact information, card details, or shipping and billing information.

Apple said customers using Apple Pay will continue to earn the rewards and benefits offered by their cards.

The Hindu also reported that customers can continue to avail the rewards and benefits offered by their cards.

Security and privacy

Apple said security and privacy are at the core of Apple Pay.

When customers use a card with Apple Pay, the actual card numbers are not stored on the device or on Apple servers.

Apple said those actual card numbers are also not shared by Apple with the merchant.

Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned, encrypted and securely stored in the Secure Element.

Apple described the Secure Element as an industry-standard certified chip designed to store payment information safely on the device.

Apple said it does not retain transaction information that can be tied back to the user.

The company said transactions stay between the user, the merchant and their bank or card issuer.

The Hindu reported that Apple Pay customers’ card numbers are not stored on the device or Apple servers.

The Hindu reported that the service instead uses a unique Device Account Number and encryption to store payment information securely.

The Hindu also reported that Apple will not retain user-identifying transaction information.

The Telegraph quoted Apple as saying, “When customers use a card with Apple Pay, the actual card numbers are not stored on the device or on Apple servers, nor are they shared by Apple with the merchant.”

The Telegraph quoted Apple as saying, “Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned, encrypted, and securely stored in the Secure Element, an industry-standard certified chip designed to store the payment information safely on the device.”

The Telegraph reported that transaction details are also not retained by Apple.

Mastercard’s Gautam Aggarwal said every Apple Pay transaction is protected by a unique, cryptographically secured token through Mastercard’s tokenisation technology.

Aggarwal said this ensures card details are never shared with merchants and safeguards consumers against fraud.

Visa’s Suresh Sethi said Apple Pay brings together Apple’s consumer experience with Visa’s global network and tokenisation capabilities.

Sethi said Apple Pay brings consumers in India a simpler, safer and more seamless way to pay.

What happens if a device is lost

If a user’s iPhone is lost or stolen, Apple said the user can use the Find My app to quickly locate, lock or suspend payments from that device.

The Hindu reported that mechanisms are in place to remotely control payments even if the device is lost.

The Telegraph reported that if a user’s iPhone is lost or stolen, the user can use the Find My app to quickly locate, lock or suspend payments from that device.

Why the launch matters

The launch matters because Apple is bringing Apple Pay into a payments market that its own executives and partners described as digitally active, security-focused and increasingly shaped by contactless commerce.

Bailey said India has a “dynamic and digitally savvy population” that continues to embrace a cashless future while expecting high standards of security and privacy.

Chaudhry said payments are at “a significant inflection point” where technology, security and changing customer expectations are reshaping transactions.

Aggarwal said India’s digital economy is accelerating and consumers are seeking seamless and secure payment experiences.

Sethi said the launch marks an important milestone in the evolution of the country’s digital payments journey.

The launch also matters for Apple device users because it offers card payments without repeatedly entering payment information, according to Apple and Bailey.

Apple said users can check out online without creating accounts or repeatedly typing contact information, card details, or shipping and billing information.

Bailey said Apple Pay makes everyday card payments easy, secure and private, including by allowing users to tap to pay in stores without an extra app, PIN or OTP.

The launch also adds a contactless payment option for Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit card holders across the Mastercard and Visa networks, according to Chaudhry.

Aggarwal said the introduction of Apple Pay for Axis Bank-issued Mastercard credit card holders ushers in a new era of contactless commerce.

Sethi said Apple Pay expands consumer choice and helps shape the next generation of commerce in India.

Apple Pay’s global footprint

Apple said Apple Pay is available in more than 90 countries and regions.

Apple said the service works with more than 11,000 bank and network partners worldwide.

The Telegraph also reported that Apple Pay is at present available in more than 90 countries and regions.

The Telegraph reported that the service works with more than 11,000 bank and network partners worldwide.

In India, the service begins with Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards, while Apple plans to add support for more banks over time, an Apple executive told Moneycontrol, according to The Telegraph.