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Apple Pay is now live in India, but the launch is limited at first: eligible Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards can be added to Apple Wallet on supported Apple devices. Apple says iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch are supported now, while Mac support is coming later.
Apple Pay India: what works right now
- Supported bank at launch: Axis Bank
- Eligible cards: Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards
- Supported devices: iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch; Mac support is coming soon
- In-store use: wherever compatible NFC contactless payments are accepted
- Online use: supported apps and websites that offer Apple Pay
- UPI: Apple did not announce UPI support as part of the India launch; the current rollout described by Apple is card-based
Apple's official India launch announcement says the service became available on September 30. At launch, customers need an eligible Axis Bank credit card on the Visa or Mastercard network.
Which iPhones and Apple Watches support Apple Pay in India?
Apple's India launch footnote says Apple Pay requires an iPhone XR or later running iOS 18 or later. For Apple Watch, the requirement is Apple Watch Series 6 or later running watchOS 11 or later, paired with an iPhone XR or later.
Apple also supports Apple Pay purchases on iPad in apps and on the web. Mac support in India is listed as coming soon rather than available at launch.
How to set up Apple Pay with an Axis Bank card
- Open the Wallet app on an eligible iPhone.
- Tap the plus (+) button.
- Follow the prompts to add an eligible Axis Bank Visa or Mastercard credit card.
- Complete any bank verification requested during setup.
Apple also says customers can add an eligible card to Apple Wallet through the latest version of the Axis Bank app.
How to pay in stores
For an in-store payment, double-click the side button or Home button, authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID or the device passcode when prompted, then hold the iPhone or Apple Watch near the contactless reader.
Apple says the payment flow does not require users to type a card PIN or use an OTP at checkout in the Apple Pay experience.
Where can Apple Pay be used in India?
Apple says Apple Pay works at thousands of in-store and online merchants and anywhere compatible NFC transactions are accepted. Launch examples named by Apple include Apple Store locations, Blinkit, Chaayos, Croma, Interflora, Ixigo, Reliance brands, Tata 1mg and Zomato.
Apple also lists payment-service providers including Cashfree, JusPay, Mswipe, Paytm, PayU, Pine Labs, Razorpay and Worldline among the networks helping merchants accept Apple Pay.
Does Apple Pay support UPI in India?
Not as part of the launch announced by Apple. Apple's India rollout is currently described around eligible Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards. UPI is a different bank-account payment system, so users should not assume that adding Apple Pay automatically adds UPI support.
What happens to card rewards and security?
Apple says users continue to receive the rewards and benefits offered by their eligible cards. For security, the actual card number is not stored on the device or Apple servers and is not shared with the merchant. Instead, Apple Pay uses an encrypted device-specific account number stored in the Secure Element.
Quick answers
Which bank supports Apple Pay in India right now?
Axis Bank is the launch issuer.
Which cards can I add?
Eligible Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
Can I use Apple Pay on an iPhone XR?
Yes, Apple lists iPhone XR or later with iOS 18 or later.
Does Apple Pay work with UPI in India?
Apple's launch announcement does not list UPI support; the current India rollout is card-based.
Is Apple Pay available on Mac in India?
Not yet. Apple says Mac support is coming soon.
Sources: Apple India and The Indian Express. Hero image is an illustrative Apple Pay contactless transaction, photographed by Mybloodtypeiscoffee and reused from Wikimedia Commons under CC BY 4.0.