Apple Pay launches in India with Axis Bank credit cards

Apple has launched Apple Pay in India, initially supporting Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards.

Users in India can now pay with Apple Pay on iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, with Mac support due later. The service works in shops, in apps and on the web, and can be used anywhere NFC transactions are accepted.

The launch gives Apple a formal entry into one of the world's largest and most competitive digital payments markets. India has seen rapid growth in cashless transactions in recent years, with consumers and merchants adopting a wide range of app-based and contactless payment methods.

At launch, Apple Pay is limited to Axis Bank credit cards on the Visa and Mastercard networks. Customers can add an eligible card through the latest version of the Axis Bank app or through the Wallet app on iPhone.

Once a card is added, users can begin paying immediately. In stores, they can authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID or a device passcode, then hold the iPhone or Apple Watch near a contactless terminal. Online and in-app purchases on iPhone and iPad can also be completed through Apple Pay without re-entering card or shipping details for each transaction.

Card rewards and issuer benefits will continue to apply when customers use Apple Pay. That may matter in a market where card-linked offers and reward schemes often influence spending behaviour.

Merchant reach

Apple Pay will be accepted by millions of merchants across India from launch, according to Apple. Named merchants include Apple Store locations, Blinkit, Chaayos, Comet, Croma, Interflora, Ixigo, Le15 Patisserie, Reliance brands, Tata 1mg and Zomato.

Apple said it has also worked with payment service providers including BillDesk, Cashfree, Juspay, Mswipe, Paytm, PayU, Pine Labs and Razorpay to extend acceptance through their merchant networks. Those partnerships will be central to how widely and quickly the service appears across online checkout pages and physical payment terminals.

The India rollout adds another major market to Apple Pay's international footprint. Apple said the service is now available in more than 90 countries and regions and works with more than 11,000 bank and network partners worldwide.

Security focus

Apple framed security and privacy as central to the launch. Actual card numbers are not stored on the device or on Apple servers and are not shared with merchants when a payment is made, it said.

Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned, encrypted and stored in the device's Secure Element. Apple also said it does not retain transaction information that can be tied to the user, and that transaction records remain between the customer, the merchant and the bank or card issuer.

If a device is lost or stolen, users can use the Find My app to locate it, lock it or suspend payments from that device. These protections have become a standard part of Apple's pitch for its wallet and payments products in other markets, particularly as scrutiny of digital fraud and data privacy has increased.

Jennifer Bailey, Vice President of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet at Apple, outlined the company's view of the opportunity in the market.

"India is home to a dynamic and digitally savvy population that continues to embrace a cashless future while expecting the highest standards of security and privacy, and we're so excited to bring Apple Pay to users in India today," Bailey said. "Apple Pay makes everyday payments with a card easy, secure, and private - from simply tapping to pay in stores without an extra app, PIN, or OTP to checking out online without repeatedly entering payment information."

Axis Bank said the service expands payment choice for its cardholders.

"We are at a significant inflection point in payments, where technology, security and changing customer expectations are reshaping how people transact. At Axis Bank, our aspiration is to remain at the forefront of this transformation by building payment experiences that are progressive, trusted and deeply relevant to our customers," said Amitabh Chaudhry, MD and CEO of Axis Bank.

"The introduction of Apple Pay advances this ambition, bringing greater choice and flexibility to our credit card customers, with support across the Mastercard and Visa networks. As payments become increasingly embedded in customers' everyday digital lives, our focus is on bringing together innovation and trust, while making every interaction more intuitive and relevant. More importantly, this reflects our vision of a more connected and sophisticated payments ecosystem, where technology enables convenience and confidence in every transaction."

Card network partners also pointed to the wider significance of the launch for India's payments sector.

"As India's digital economy accelerates and consumers seek seamless and secure payment experiences, the introduction of Apple Pay for our Axis Bank-issued Mastercard credit card holders ushers in a new era of contactless commerce, giving Indian consumers greater confidence and peace of mind with every transaction," said Gautam Aggarwal, President of India and South Asia at Mastercard. "With Mastercard's tokenisation technology, every Apple Pay transaction is protected by a unique, cryptographically secured token, ensuring card details are never shared with merchants, safeguarding consumers against fraud."

Visa described the rollout as a marker in the development of digital payments in the country.

"The launch of Apple Pay in India marks an important milestone in the evolution of the country's digital payments journey," said Suresh Sethi, Group Country Manager for India and South Asia at Visa. "By bringing together Apple's intuitive consumer experience with Visa's trusted global network and tokenisation capabilities, Apple Pay brings consumers in India a simpler, safer, and more seamless way to pay. Together, we are expanding consumer choice and helping shape the next generation of commerce in India."