Apple Pay is available in India as of September 30, 2026, initially for Visa and Mastercard credit cards issued by Axis Bank. Apple lists iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch support at launch; Mac support is coming soon.
Which cards and devices are supported?
At launch, Apple specifies Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards. Apple says eligible cards can be added through the latest Axis Bank app or Apple Wallet. The launch announcement names iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch; it does not give a date for Mac support beyond saying it is coming soon.
Apple lists an iPhone XR or later with iOS 18 or later as the iPhone requirement. Apple Watch support requires Series 6 or later with watchOS 11 or later, paired with an iPhone XR or later.
How to add a card and pay
Add an eligible card through the latest Axis Bank app or in Apple Wallet on iPhone. For an in-store payment, Apple describes double-clicking the side or Home button, authenticating with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode if prompted, then holding the iPhone or Apple Watch near a contactless reader. Apple Pay also supports payments in apps and on the web.
Apple named Apple Store locations, Blinkit, Chaayos, Croma, Ixigo, Tata 1mg, and Zomato among its launch merchants. It says Apple Pay works at thousands of merchants and wherever NFC transactions are accepted.
What Apple says about card security
Apple says the actual card number is not stored on the device or Apple servers, and Apple does not share it with merchants. Instead, a unique encrypted Device Account Number is stored in the device’s Secure Element. Apple also says cardholders continue to receive the rewards and benefits attached to their cards.
If an iPhone is lost or stolen, Apple says Find My can locate or lock it, or suspend payments from it.
Apple Pay and UPI handle different payments
Apple Pay in India uses eligible payment cards. UPI is a separate system for transferring money between bank accounts. A 2025 IMF report put UPI at 84% of India’s digital payment operations, a measure of how widely that distinct system is used.
What the India launch means for U.S. users
Apple lists the United States as a country where Apple Pay is supported, but the India launch does not automatically extend Axis Bank card eligibility to U.S. cards. Participating issuers are specific to each market.
