Apple Pay Launches in India With Axis Bank, Targeting Mobile Payment Growth

Apple has long sought to expand Apple Pay into new international markets, given the rising importance of mobile payments. India, with its massive population and rapidly growing digital economy, became a natural target. However, the country already has established payment platforms like Google Pay, Paytm, and especially the government-backed Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which are deeply integrated into daily life.

Negotiations with Indian banks reportedly stretched over years, as Apple aimed to secure the necessary partnerships and regulatory approvals. In late September 2026, signs emerged that Apple was preparing to launch its payment service with Axis Bank, one of India's major private sector banks.

On September 29, 2026, reports surfaced that Apple Pay would launch in India with Axis Bank as its initial partner. Sources indicated that other large Indian banks were holding off on supporting Apple Pay, so the initial rollout would be limited.

By September 30, Apple Pay officially went live in India. Axis Bank customers with Visa or Mastercard credit cards could now add their cards to the Apple Wallet on their iPhone or Apple Watch, enabling them to make contactless and online payments at participating merchants. The system did not support UPI or other banks' cards at launch, which limited its reach compared to other payment options in the market.

The launch attracted attention because it came twelve years after Apple first introduced Apple Pay globally. Apple confirmed the rollout and highlighted its integration with its hardware ecosystem. Indian users began to experiment with the new service and shared guidance on how to set it up and use it for transactions.

Apple Pay is now available in India, but its use is restricted to Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards. Customers can set up Apple Pay via the Axis Bank app or directly through Apple Wallet on their devices.

The service is facing stiff competition from established platforms, especially those that support UPI, which remains a dominant force in Indian digital payments. Wider adoption of Apple Pay will likely depend on whether other banks join the platform and if UPI support is added in the future.

The key question is whether other major Indian banks will agree to support Apple Pay and when, if ever, the service will add UPI compatibility. Apple's success in the Indian payments market will hinge on expanding beyond Axis Bank and matching the flexibility of existing payment methods.