Apple has officially launched its Apple Pay service in India, marking the tech giant's entry into one of the world's most significant digital payment markets. The service enables contactless transactions via iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, with Axis Bank serving as the initial partner for Visa and Mastercard credit card holders.
Jennifer Bailey, Apple's vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, highlighted the timing of the rollout, noting that India's digital payments ecosystem has matured through the widespread adoption of NFC-enabled terminals and robust e-commerce growth. "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," Bailey said.
To use the service, customers add their eligible cards to the Apple Wallet. Payments can then be made at thousands of retail locations and online merchants across the country, as well as at NFC-enabled terminals globally. The system allows for transactions without the need for a card PIN or OTP, relying instead on Face ID, Touch ID, or a device passcode for authentication. Apple plans to extend support to Mac devices in the near future.
Security remains a central focus of the platform. Apple does not store actual card numbers on its servers or the user's device. Instead, it utilizes a unique, encrypted Device Account Number stored in the device's Secure Element. Mastercard has integrated its tokenisation technology to further secure these transactions by replacing sensitive card details with unique, cryptographically secured tokens.
Amitabh Chaudhry, managing director and CEO of Axis Bank, welcomed the collaboration, stating, "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 secure." He added that the introduction of Apple Pay provides greater flexibility and choice for the bank's credit card customers.
Visa, which is also partnering on the launch, described the move as a significant step for India's digital economy. "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 for India and South Asia.
The service is currently compatible with iPhone XR or later models running iOS 18 or newer, and Apple Watch Series 6 or later running watchOS 11 or newer. While the initial rollout covers sectors such as food, beverage, travel, and fashion, Apple intends to expand the list of participating banks and merchants over time.
