Apple Pay Officially Launched in India: Know What Features It Brings, How to Use
Apple has officially launched Apple Pay in India, initially supporting eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards. The service enables contactless payments through iPhone, Apple Watch and iPad at thousands of retail and online locations. It uses tokenisation and biometric authentication to protect card details, with more banks and Mac support planned.
Apple Inc. has officially launched Apple Pay in India, marking the technology giant's entry into one of the world's largest and most dynamic digital payments markets. Announced by Greg Joswiak, Apple's senior vice president of marketing, the contactless payment service allows users to complete secure transactions using iPhones, Apple Watches, and iPads.
The service is rolling out initially for customers holding eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards. According to Apple executives, support for additional banking partners and Mac device integration will be expanded progressively in the coming months. Apple Surprise and Shine Event 2026: iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Fold Launch Expected With Price Hikes, Says Report.
Apple Pay Now Available in India
Say hello to Apple Pay in India! 🇮🇳
We’re so excited to bring Apple Pay to India today, and make it easier than ever for our customers to make safe and secure purchases on Apple devices. pic.twitter.com/UmniXVyRfS
— Greg Joswiak (@gregjoz) September 30, 2026
Integration With Axis Bank and Merchant Ecosystem
The rollout leverages India's mature digital payments infrastructure, rapid e-commerce expansion, and the widespread adoption of contactless Near Field Communication terminals. Jennifer Bailey, Apple's vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, noted that the Reserve Bank of India's robust framework supporting biometric authentication helped create the ideal environment for the launch.
Initial merchant availability spans major retail categories including food and beverages, travel, fashion, and lifestyle. Users can complete transactions at thousands of in-store locations across India as well as online platforms, while continuing to earn standard rewards and benefits associated with their credit cards.
Security Features and Biometric Authentication
Apple Pay places heavy emphasis on user privacy and financial security through tokenisation and device-level protection. Actual credit card numbers are never stored on physical devices or Apple servers, nor are they shared with merchants during transactions.
Instead, the system utilizes a unique encrypted Device Account Number stored securely within the hardware. Transactions are authorized instantly via biometric verification through Face ID or Touch ID, eliminating the need to enter traditional card PINs or one-time passwords at checkout. iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone Pro Max Bug Fix: Apple Confirms Update Coming Next Week.
How to Use Apple Pay in India?
To use Apple Pay in India, cardholders simply need to open the Apple Wallet application on an eligible iPhone or Apple Watch and add their supported Axis Bank credit card by scanning it or entering the details manually. Once verified through the bank's authentication process, making in-store purchases is seamless: users double-click the side or Home button, authenticate securely using Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode, and hold their device near any Near Field Communication contactless payment terminal. For online and in-app shopping, selecting Apple Pay at checkout allows users to complete transactions instantly without repeatedly filling out billing, shipping, or card information.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 30, 2026 09:42 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
