Summary
Apple Pay launched in India on 30 September 2026 for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. At launch, it supports eligible Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
Apple launched Apple Pay in India on 30 September 2026, enabling payments on iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. At launch, customers can add eligible Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards. Apple says the service can be used at participating shops, in apps and on websites; Mac support is coming soon.
Where Apple Pay works and how to set it up
Apple says Apple Pay is accepted at millions of merchants across India, including Apple Store locations, Blinkit, Chaayos, Croma, Ixigo, Tata 1mg and Zomato. In shops, an iPhone or Apple Watch can be held near a contactless reader. Online and in apps, Apple Pay offers a way to check out without repeatedly entering card and contact details.
An eligible card can be added to Apple Wallet through the latest Axis Bank app, or by opening Wallet on an iPhone and following the prompts. To pay in a shop with iPhone, users double-click the side or Home button, authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID or a passcode if prompted, then hold the phone near the reader. With Apple Watch, the watch display is held near the reader. Apple says the card’s usual rewards and benefits continue to apply.
The announcement specifies iPhone XR or later running iOS 18 or later. Apple Watch support requires Series 6 or later with watchOS 11 or later, paired with an iPhone XR or later. Apple says Mac support will follow, but gives no launch date.
How Apple describes its payment security
Apple says the physical card number is not stored on the device or Apple’s servers, and Apple does not share it with the merchant. Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned, encrypted and stored in the device’s Secure Element, a dedicated chip designed to protect payment information. In payment systems, a substitute credential can be used for a transaction in place of the underlying card number; Mastercard describes its tokenisation technology as protecting Apple Pay transactions with a unique, cryptographically secured token.
Apple also says it does not retain transaction information that can be tied back to the user. If an iPhone is lost or stolen, its owner can use Find My to locate or lock it, or suspend payments from that device. These safeguards are part of Apple’s description of the service; the practical payment experience depends on having an eligible card and a participating merchant or contactless reader.