Summary
Apple Pay became available in India on 30 September 2026 for eligible Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards. It works on iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, with Mac support planned.
Apple Pay became available in India on 30 September 2026, according to Apple. At launch, customers can add eligible Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards and pay in stores, apps and on the web using an iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch. Apple says Mac support is coming soon.
Where Apple Pay works and how to use it
Apple says the service is accepted by millions of merchants across India, including Apple Store locations, Blinkit, Chaayos, Croma, Tata 1mg and Zomato. In stores, an iPhone or Apple Watch can be held near a contactless payment reader after the user authenticates with Face ID, Touch ID or a device passcode if prompted. For app and web purchases, Apple Pay can avoid repeatedly entering card and contact details.
An eligible card can be added through the latest version of the Axis Bank app or from Apple Wallet on an iPhone. Apple says customers continue to receive the rewards and benefits attached to their cards.
Compatible iPhones must be an 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’s announcement lists iPad as supported but does not specify its device requirements there.
How Apple describes its payment security
Apple says the actual card number is not stored on the device or Apple’s servers, and is not shared by Apple with the merchant. Instead, a unique Device Account Number is encrypted and stored in the device’s Secure Element, a chip designed to hold payment information securely. This is a form of tokenisation: the payment uses a substitute identifier rather than exposing the underlying card number to the merchant.
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. The launch brings Apple’s device-based payment service to India, initially with card support through one issuing bank and two card networks.