The launch of Apple Pay in India with Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards marks a new era in mobile payments. Apple Pay India's launch with Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards is a new era in mobile payments.
Apple Pay is now officially available in India, enabling those who hold an eligible Axis Bank credit card to make payments with their Apple devices. The service will be available on 30 September 2026, and it will initially be available for eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. Support for Mac is coming soon.
With the launch, Apple has joined the large digital payments market in India where users already have access to myriad mobile and contactless payment choices. Currently, Axis Bank is Apple's first banking partner in India for Apple Pay, and Apple states that the list of banks available would be extended as more banks join the program.
Apple Pay is now available in India, thanks to Axis Bank.
Eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit card holders can pay using their Apple devices, without entering their card details repeatedly in stores, apps and online, with Apple Pay.
When shopping in stores, users can prove their identity on their device and then simply bring it close to a contactless payment terminal. Face ID, Touch ID or a passcode can be used for authentication depending on the device and settings.
According to Apple, users will be able to pay at checkout without providing a PIN or OTP code. This is intended to speed up the transaction of paying for cards whilst maintaining the security of the card information.
Supported Cards and Devices?
Apple Pay in India supports only Visa or Mastercard credit cards from Axis Bank, which are already eligible for Apple Pay in India at launch. Currently, Apple is only supporting Axis Bank as an Indian card issuer and mentions that additional banks could be added in the future.
Compatible devices include:
- The iPhone is compatible with iOS 18 or newer.
- iPad must have iPadOS 18 or above.
- Apple Watch that supports watchOS 11 or later.
Mac support is also coming on the way, Axis Bank says, while Apple announces that Mac support is in development.
Currently, the launch will be limited to eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards. The initial rollout of Apple Pay does not include UPI and RuPay, according to reports.
To add an Axis Bank Card to Apple Pay, please follow the steps below:
Customers who have a credit card from Axis Bank can add their card to Apple Wallet via the Axis Bank mobile banking app or directly from the Apple Wallet app.
Add a card via Apple Wallet:
Launch the Wallet app on iPhone.
Click on the + (+ add) button.
Place the eligible credit card near the back of the iPhone or type them in.
Fill in the necessary verification.
Complete the setup following instructions.
After this card is added and verified, customers can start using Apple Pay with their compatible Apple devices.
How to Pay With Apple Pay
Apple Pay with a contactless payment terminal should be easy to use.
To unlock an iPhone, users can double click the side button, use their face or fingerprint to authenticate and then place the phone within a range of the contactless reader. If the payment was completed, a confirmation will be displayed.
With Apple Pay, users can choose to pay online at checkout and confirm the payment on their device.
This will eliminate the need for customers to type their card number on each qualifying online transaction.
Security and Privacy
One of the primary features Apple is emphasising in India release is security.
Apple states that the actual card numbers are not stored on the card, nor on Apple servers. Instead, Apple Pay uses a Device Account Number, which is unique to the card. The number is encrypted and stored in the device's Secure Element, a security chip in the device specifically designed to safeguard payment data.
Apple Pay also does not reveal the true card number to the merchants. Mastercard revealed in a separate statement that its tokenisation technology is based on a unique, cryptographically secured token for Apple Pay.
Apple also claims it doesn't store transaction data that could be linked to the user. The company said the transactions are still made by the customer, merchant and card issuer.
In the case of an Apple device, users have means to remotely manage or suspend payments for the device as well.
It is compatible with Stores, apps, and Online.
Apple Pay is accepted in all merchants with contactless payment systems or Apple Pay enabled.
On launch, Apple and Axis Bank have came up with a number of businesses and services that have been identified as partners. These are Apple Stores, Blinkit, Chaayos, Comet, Croma, Interflora, Ixigo, Le15 Patisserie, Reliance brands, Zomato and more.
Customers should check for the Apple Pay or contactless payment icon when paying at a store and at the cashier and at participating websites and apps.
It is essential that Card Rewards and Benefits continue.Card Rewards and Benefits Must Go On.
The addition of an eligible Axis Bank credit card to Apple Pay will not affect any features that customers have with the credit card.
Customers would get the rewards and benefits that are associated with their cards while making payments via Apple Pay, says Axis Bank.
This is another means of accessing a customer's card without taking out the physical card for each transaction, especially for customers who used their cards for transactions on a day-to-day basis with Axis Bank.
The information provided by Apple and Axis Bank.
India's population is digitally active and is turning towards cashless payments with high expectations for security and privacy, says Jennifer Bailey, vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet in India.
According to Bailey, Apple Pay will make everyday card payments easier, such as paying in stores without entering a PIN or OTP, as well as checking out online without having to type payment details again and again.
Amitabh Chaudhry, managing director and CEO of Axis Bank, said the partnership follows technology, security, and evolving customer expectations, which are driving a paradigm shift in payments.
Apple Pay offers Axis Bank credit card customers more choice and flexibility and will be available on the Visa and Mastercard networks, Chaudhry said.
For Apple, the India launch has significant ramifications.
With Apple Pay, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch owners in India have yet another alternative to card payments. The first phase is for Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards, though.
Apple has yet to provide a timeline for other Indian banks. According to its official Apple Pay page, the list of supported banks will be updated as more banks come on board.
The launch is not yet a full nationwide card support, it's a first step for now. With more banks likely to come on board, Apple Pay may be open to a larger audience of Indian consumers.
But for the eligible Axis Bank customers, Apple Pay is now available and can be used for all purchases on compatible Apple devices, in-app, online, and at stores that accept it.
Final Takeaway
Apple Pay officially launches in India, with eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards. The service will enable payments via compatible Apple devices, using tokenisation and device-based authentication to safeguard payment data, both offline and online.
The first rollout is restricted, but Apple's foray into India's digital payments market is another contactless card-payment alternative for consumers. The service will be expanded with more banks in the future, reaching a much larger user base.
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