Apple Pay Launches in India With Axis Bank as Its First Partner

Apple launched Apple Pay in India on September 29, 2026, with Axis Bank as its first banking partner.

Axis Bank Credit Cards First

The service starts with Axis Bank credit cards on the Visa and Mastercard networks. Eligible customers can add their cards to Apple Wallet and use Apple Pay for online purchases and contactless payments at supported terminals.

What Isn't Supported Yet

RuPay, India's domestic card network, is not compatible with Apple Pay, and major banks such as HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and SBI Card have not yet added support.

Entering a UPI-Dominated Market

The launch brings Apple's payments service to the world's most populous country after years of delays, into a market dominated by the state-backed Unified Payments Interface (UPI). Axis Bank is India's third-largest private-sector bank.

What Indian Online Stores Should Consider

For now, the audience is narrow: iPhone users with Axis credit cards. But for premium D2C brands with a large iOS customer base, a one-tap card wallet at checkout can reduce drop-off. Check whether your payment gateway supports it before adding it.