Apple launches Apple Pay in India, letting eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cardholders add their cards to Apple Wallet on iPhone, iPad, and Watch

Eligible Apple users can now make contactless payments directly from their devices, simplifying transactions for those with supported Axis Bank credit cards.

Apple Pay has officially launched in India, over a decade after its initial release in the US. The service is now available on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, with Mac support coming soon. Initially, only eligible Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cardholders can add their cards to Apple Wallet and use Apple Pay for NFC contactless payments. Apple positions Apple Pay not as a replacement for India's prevalent UPI system, but as a complementary service for card users seeking a secure and private payment method. The launch was facilitated by a growing NFC payment infrastructure, increased digital payments adoption, and regulatory developments supporting biometric authentication for card transactions. Users can expect to retain their card rewards and benefits when using Apple Pay, which requires an iPhone XR or later, Apple Watch Series 6 or later, or compatible iPads.

Apple's entry into India's digital payments market, long dominated by UPI, signals a strategy to cater to existing credit card users rather than disrupt the established mobile payment infrastructure. The company's emphasis on complementing UPI suggests a focus on convenience and security for a specific segment, leveraging the increasing availability of NFC terminals and favorable regulatory changes. This phased rollout with a single bank indicates a cautious approach, with future expansion likely dependent on securing more partnerships and demonstrating user adoption of card-based contactless payments.

The launch signifies Apple's broader ambition to integrate its Wallet app beyond simple payments, aiming to become a comprehensive digital replacement for physical wallets. By offering a secure and private payment method that preserves card benefits, Apple is attempting to enhance the utility of credit cards for everyday spending in India. This move could potentially increase the relevance of card payments for transactions where UPI has traditionally been the sole digital option, especially as Apple continues to expand Wallet's capabilities with features like digital keys and transit passes.