Apple Pay India: Supported Cards, How to Set It Up, Fees & What’s Next (2026 Guide)

Last updated: 30 September 2026

Quick answer: Apple Pay India is live as of 30 September 2026, but Axis Bank is the first Indian bank to offer it, and only for credit cards on the Visa and Mastercard networks. Cards on India’s homegrown RuPay network are not eligible. UPI is not supported at launch. HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and SBI Card are not on board yet while talks on commercial terms continue. Axis has 16.3 million of India’s 124 million credit cards, so at most about 13% of cards in the country can use it today. Apple Pay launches in India with Axis Bank partnership +4

After years of rumours, Apple Pay India is finally real. If you own an iPhone or Apple Watch and an eligible Axis Bank credit card, you can start tapping to pay today. If you hold any other card, this Apple Pay India guide shows where you stand and what to do while you wait. BusinessMust has pulled together the confirmed details on cards, setup, fees, rewards, security and travel, and we flag anything unverified so you don’t have to guess.

Is Apple Pay Available in India? The Launch Timeline

Yes, but with tight limits. Here is how we got here:

• 2023: Reports said Apple was preparing to speak with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) about a rollout. emarketer
• February 2026: Bloomberg reported that Apple was in talks with ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank, aiming for around the middle of 2026. Yahoo Finance
• Early September 2026: Reuters reported that Apple was preparing an October launch, starting with Axis Bank credit cards. TechCrunch
• 30 September 2026: Axis Bank confirmed the launch in India. kfgo

You may see 29 September in some articles. TechCrunch first reported the launch on Tuesday, US time, while Axis Bank’s confirmation came on Wednesday, 30 September, in India.

The launch matters because India was one of the few major economies where Apple Pay wasn’t available. kfgo

Which Cards Work with Apple Pay in India?

Only some Axis Bank credit cards work at launch. Here is the current status:

Card type	Status at launch
Axis Bank credit cards (Visa, Mastercard)	Supported (eligible cards only)
Axis Bank RuPay cards	Not supported
Debit cards (any bank)	Not supported
HDFC, ICICI, SBI Card	Not live yet

Not every Axis card qualifies. One card list names the Flipkart Axis Bank, Magnus, Atlas, Privilege, ACE, Horizon, Cashback and Rewards cards, but stresses that not every Axis card is supported. Treat that list as a starting point and confirm your exact card on Axis Bank’s Apple Pay page before you promise anyone (or yourself) that it works. sportskeeda

What this means in real life. An Axis Bank Atlas or Flipkart Axis Bank cardholder with an iPhone can add a card today. Someone carrying an HDFC Regalia, an SBI Card SimplyCLICK or an ICICI Amazon Pay card cannot, because those banks are still negotiating with Apple. TechCrunch

The 13% reality check. Axis had 16.3 million cards out of 124 million nationwide in August, which works out to roughly one in eight. The real share is lower, because RuPay cards and unsupported Axis card variants are excluded. kfgo

The debit card gap. Debit cards matter more than credit cards in India. As of May 2023, the Reserve Bank of India counted about 88 million credit cards against roughly 974 million debit cards. Those figures are dated, but the gap explains why debit support is the update most users are waiting for. emarketer

How to Set Up Apple Pay India (Step by Step)

You can add a card two ways. Apple says the card must be verified by Axis Bank before you can use it. theapplepost

Method 1: Through the Wallet app

1. Open the Wallet app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the plus button at the top of the screen.
3. Follow the on-screen steps to add your Axis Bank Visa or Mastercard credit card.
4. Complete the verification Axis Bank asks for.

Method 2: Through the Axis Bank app

1. Update the Axis Bank app to the latest version.
2. Select your eligible card.
3. Choose the option to add it to Apple Wallet and follow the steps.

The latest version of the Axis Bank app supports adding an eligible card directly. If you don’t see the option, an outdated app is the most likely reason. business-standard

Apple Watch. Apple Watch works alongside iPhone and iPad at launch, and Mac support is set to be introduced soon. Once your card is in Wallet on your iPhone, you can add it to your Watch from the Watch app. theapplepostbusiness-standard

If setup fails, check these first:

• Your card is an Axis Bank Visa or Mastercard credit card, not RuPay or debit.
• Your card is on the eligible list.
• The Axis Bank app and iOS are up to date.
• Your bank has completed verification.

How to Pay with Apple Pay in Stores, Apps and Online

In stores: Double-click the side button on your iPhone, confirm with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode, then hold the phone near the contactless terminal. You don’t need to enter a card PIN or one-time password. southmatterskfgo

In apps and on websites: Choose Apple Pay at checkout and authenticate on your device.

Where it works: Apple says Axis Bank customers can use it at thousands of in-store and online merchants across India, and anywhere compatible NFC transactions are accepted. No one has published a verified, merchant-by-merchant list yet, so test your regular places with a small purchase first. A supermarket checkout, a café and one of your usual apps make a good test. theapplepost

A note for business owners. If your billing machine shows the contactless symbol, it can likely accept tap payments, but ask your acquiring bank to confirm Apple Pay support before you tell customers.

Apple Pay Fees, Limits and Rewards in India

Fees. Apple doesn’t charge users extra for purchases made through Apple Pay, but card issuers may still apply their regular charges or fees. Read your card’s fee schedule the same way you would for any swipe or tap. southmatters

Rewards. Apple says customers keep earning the rewards and benefits their cards offer when they use Apple Pay. That claim is broad, and nobody has tested category-specific rewards yet. If your card earns bonus cashback or accelerated points at particular partners, like the Flipkart Axis Bank card’s partner brands, check your first statement to confirm they posted correctly. business-standard

Limits. One launch guide reports no Apple-imposed transaction limits, but your card’s credit limit and your bank’s own controls still apply. techpp

Apple Pay India vs UPI: Which Should You Use?

Apple Pay and UPI solve different problems. UPI lets you make instant bank-to-bank payments without cards, while Apple Pay is card-based and needs each issuer and infrastructure provider to integrate. TechCrunch

	Apple Pay	UPI
How it works	Tokenised card on your device	Direct bank-to-bank transfer
What you need	Eligible card and Apple device	Bank account and a UPI app
Rewards	Your card’s rewards continue	Depends on how the account or card is linked
Availability today	Axis credit cards only	Widely available

A simple rule: Use UPI for small daily payments like chai, groceries and cab rides. Use Apple Pay when you want your Axis card’s rewards and the convenience of a tap with Face ID.

Because Apple Pay doesn’t support UPI at launch, you can’t top up or pay from a UPI-linked account through it. The two work side by side for now. theapplepost

Why HDFC, ICICI and SBI Card Aren’t Live Yet

A source told TechCrunch that talks with those three continue over commercial terms. Apple, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and SBI Card did not respond to TechCrunch’s requests for comment. So the full story is not public. TechCrunch

Apple has reportedly charged issuers a small per-transaction fee in other markets. Whether that is the sticking point in India hasn’t been confirmed by any of the companies, so treat it as a plausible explanation, not a fact.

What to watch next:

• More issuers joining. Apple is expected to expand banking support over time. theapplepost
• Mac support, which is already flagged as coming.
• RuPay support, which would open the door to a much wider set of Indian cardholders.
• Debit card support, given how many more debit cards exist.
• UPI integration, if it ever happens.

BusinessMust will update this section as banks confirm.

Is Apple Pay Safe in India?

Apple says actual card numbers are not stored on the device or on Apple’s servers, and are not shared with merchants. Every payment needs Face ID, Touch ID or your device passcode. business-standard

If you lose your iPhone:

1. Use Find My to lock or erase the device.
2. Call Axis Bank to block or suspend the card if you see anything suspicious.
3. Remove the card from Wallet from another Apple device or iCloud.

Using Apple Pay Abroad with an Indian Card

Check with your bank before you fly. The FAQ advises customers to confirm whether their card can be used overseas and whether any charges apply to international transactions. business-standard

Before an international trip:

• Confirm international transactions are enabled on your card.
• Check the forex markup on your card’s terms.
• Test the card in Wallet before you leave.
• Carry your physical card as a backup.

Frequent travellers with travel-focused Axis cards should read the card’s terms for any changes. We haven’t seen confirmation that overseas acceptance works the same as domestic acceptance.

Should You Use Apple Pay in India? Who Should Wait

Use it now if:

• You have an eligible Axis Bank credit card and an iPhone or Apple Watch.
• You want tap-to-pay convenience without carrying a wallet.
• You want to keep earning your card’s rewards.

Wait if:

• Your primary card is from HDFC, ICICI or SBI Card.
• You rely on RuPay, debit cards or UPI.
• You want confirmed acceptance at specific merchants first.

BusinessMust verdict: For the right person, it’s a convenient, secure way to pay with a card you already have. For most Indian iPhone users, the honest answer is to wait for more banks, RuPay and debit support.

FAQs

Final Word

Apple Pay is a real step forward for Axis Bank cardholders on Apple devices, and a “not yet” for almost everyone else. Bookmark this page, because BusinessMust will update it whenever a new bank, card network or feature goes live.

Update log

• 30 September 2026: Apple Pay launched in India with Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not financial, legal or investment advice. Card eligibility, fees, rewards and features may change, so confirm details with Apple and your card issuer before you rely on them. BusinessMust is not affiliated with Apple or Axis Bank.