Apple Pay launches in India with Axis Bank partnership

Apple Pay has introduced its payment service in India in collaboration with Axis Bank, marking its debut in one of the world's largest digital payment markets, according to the lender. Axis Bank, India's third-largest private bank, will be the first Indian institution to offer Apple Pay, initially to customers with Visa and Mastercard credit cards.

Cards from India's local RuPay network will not be compatible. Jennifer Bailey, Apple's vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, expressed excitement about bringing Apple Pay to Indian users, noting India's digitally savvy population and its embrace of a cashless future. Axis Bank, as India's fourth-largest credit card issuer with 16.3 million cards outstanding as of August, aims to provide a secure and private payment solution.

Apple has also been in discussions with larger banks like HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank but has not yet reached agreements. India's Unified Payments Interface dominates digital payments, accounting for 84% of the volume and being the world's largest retail fast-payment system by transaction numbers, as reported by the IMF in 2025. Customers can add eligible cards via Axis Bank's mobile app or Apple Wallet and make payments at physical stores, through apps, and online using an iPhone, Apple Watch, or iPad, as stated by the lender.