Apple Pay has officially launched in India, allowing users to make payments through compatible iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches. The service is initially available for Visa and Mastercard credit cards issued by Axis Bank, with Apple expected to add support for more banks in the future. The launch comes more than a decade after Apple Pay was first introduced in the United States.

Apple Pay allows users to make payments without repeatedly entering card details, PINs or OTPs at checkout. Payments are authenticated directly on the device using Face ID, Touch ID or a passcode. Apple said the service is designed to make card payments more convenient while adding security and privacy features for users.

To set up Apple Pay, users can open the Wallet app on a compatible iPhone, tap the plus sign and follow the instructions to add an eligible Axis Bank card. Customers can also add their card through the Axis Bank app. Once the card has been added and verified, it can be used for contactless payments at supported payment terminals as well as for purchases through compatible apps and websites.

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For an in-store payment, iPhone users can double-click the side button or Home button and authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID or the device passcode. The top of the iPhone can then be held near a contactless payment terminal to complete the transaction. Apple Watch users can similarly use the device to make supported contactless payments. Eligible devices include the iPhone XR and later models running at least iOS 18, while Apple Watch Series 6 and later models require watchOS 11 or later.

At launch, Apple Pay is supported by several merchants and services in India, including Apple Store locations, Blinkit, Chaayos, Croma, Interflora, Ixigo, Le15 Patisserie, Reliance brands, Tata 1mg and Zomato. Apple said more merchants and apps are expected to support the service over time. The launch comes as digital payments continue to be widely used in India, where UPI remains a major payment method.

Apple Pay currently has limited bank support in India, with eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards forming the initial offering. However, Apple has indicated that additional banks will be supported in the future. Globally, the service has more than 11,000 bank and network partners across more than 90 countries, making the India launch a significant expansion of Apple's payment ecosystem.

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