Apple Pay debuts in India through a new partnership with Axis Bank

US tech giant Apple has entered India's digital payments market by launching its Apple Pay service in partnership with Axis Bank. The service lets users make payments using compatible devices like iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches, both locally and while traveling abroad.

How It Works

Apple Pay differs from UPI because it uses an eligible bank card instead of transferring money directly from a bank account. Users can pay at physical stores, inside apps, and on websites without needing to enter a PIN or an OTP at checkout. Transactions use Near Field Communication technology, meaning users can complete payments without a cellular network or Wi-Fi connection. Customers with eligible Visa and Mastercard credit cards from Axis Bank can add their cards to the app.

Setup And Usage

To set it up, open the Wallet app on an iPhone and tap the plus button to add a card, or use the Axis Bank mobile app to add an eligible card. Users can scan the card with the phone camera or type the details in manually. After completing any needed verification steps from Apple or Axis Bank, the card is ready for use. On an iPhone with Face ID, users double-click the side button, authenticate, and hold the top of the phone near a contactless payment terminal. On a phone with Touch ID, users double-click the Home button, authenticate, and hold the device near the terminal.

Merchant Support And Future Plans

The service is supported by millions of merchants across the country, including Apple Store outlets, Blinkit, Chaayos, Comet, Croma, Interflora, Ixigo, Le15 Patisserie, Reliance brands, Tata 1mg, and Zomato. Apple is also in talks with other banks, and some are expected to join the platform by the end of the year. Apple has additionally held discussions with Aadhaar-issuing authority UIDAI and the National Payments Corporation of India, though no deal has been reached yet. Apple charges banking partners a fee for transactions, while partner banks decide whether to pass that cost on to customers.

Context

Apple Pay operates in over 90 countries and regions with support from more than 11,000 banking partners worldwide. Globally, the service helped banking partners prevent about one billion dollars in financial fraud in 2025 and contributed to more than 100 billion dollars in extra merchant sales. NFC technology powers these tap-to-pay systems by allowing secure, short-range wireless communication between a mobile device and a payment terminal.