Apple Pay may launch in India in October via Axis Bank tie-up

There is good news for iPhone users. Apple is reportedly preparing to launch its own payment service, Apple Pay, in India soon. Until now, people have had to rely on apps like Google Pay or PhonePe for payments, but Apple is now getting ready to bring its own separate payment system to the country.

According to sources, Apple Pay could officially launch in India in early October 2026. This would make payments easier and faster for iPhone and Apple Watch users.

For its entry into India, Apple has partnered with Axis Bank. In the first phase, only Axis Bank credit card holders will be able to use Apple Pay. Those with an Axis Bank credit card will be able to add it to the wallet on their iPhone. Apple's plans for India are said to be bigger, with the company also in talks with major banks such as HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank. If these talks progress positively, customers of these banks will also be able to use Apple Pay in future.

Details have also emerged of how Apple Pay will work. It will use a technology called NFC, known as tap-and-pay. To pay at any shop or mall, users will need to hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near the payment machine, and the payment will go through within seconds. There will be no need to open a separate app for this.

Security details have also been clarified. Face ID or Touch ID will be required for every payment, meaning no one will be able to make a payment without permission. Even if someone picks up the phone, no money will be deducted unless the face or fingerprint matches. The Reserve Bank of India has allowed biometric authentication for card payments, which is what has opened the way for Apple Pay in India.

For now, the service will be limited to credit cards, but there is talk of UPI payments being added later. UPI is the most widely used payment method in India, so if it is added, the benefit would be widespread. For now, this will have to wait until October.