Apple Pay Launches in India: How to Set Up, Supported Axis Bank Cards, Devices and UPI/RuPay Limits
Apple Pay is now live in India with Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards. Here is how to add a card, which iPhones and Apple Watches work, where you can pay, and why UPI, RuPay and debit cards are not supported at launch.
iPhone being used for an Apple Pay contactless payment in India with an Axis Bank credit card
Table of Contents (28 sections)
Apple Pay has officially arrived in India, giving eligible Axis Bank credit-card customers a new way to make contactless payments with an iPhone or Apple Watch and to check out inside supported apps and websites.
Apple announced the Indian launch on September 30, 2026, with Axis Bank becoming the first Indian bank to support the service.
At launch, support is limited to Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards. Axis Bank says all of its Visa and Mastercard credit cards are eligible, while Apple's official bank-support page describes participating cards as eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
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That also means several important payment options widely used in India are not part of Apple Pay's initial rollout.
RuPay cards cannot currently be added to Apple Pay, while Apple Pay does not provide India's familiar UPI bank-account and QR-code payment experience at launch. Axis Bank debit cards are also not currently listed as supported.
For Indian users, Apple Pay should therefore be understood primarily as a digital version of a supported credit card, rather than a replacement for Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm or other UPI apps.
Here is everything users need to know.
Apple Pay India: Key Points
Apple Pay launched in India on September 30, 2026.
Axis Bank is the first and currently listed Indian issuing bank.
Axis says all Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards can be used.
Axis Bank RuPay credit cards are not supported in Apple Pay.
Axis Bank debit cards are not included in the initial rollout.
UPI bank accounts and UPI QR payments cannot currently be added to Apple Pay.
Apple Pay works on supported iPhones, Apple Watches and iPads.
Apple says dedicated Mac support in India is coming later.
In-store payments require a contactless/NFC-enabled payment terminal.
Online and app purchases require the merchant to offer Apple Pay at checkout.
Face ID, Touch ID or the device passcode authenticates payments.
Axis Bank says there is no Apple Pay setup, transaction or annual fee for its customers.
Existing card rewards and benefits continue to apply.
Which Cards Support Apple Pay in India?
The initial card support is straightforward.
According to Axis Bank:
Apple Pay is available on all Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
Supported at launch
Card type
Apple Pay India status
Axis Bank Visa credit card
Supported
Axis Bank Mastercard credit card
Supported
Axis Bank Visa add-on credit card
Supported if eligible
Axis Bank Mastercard add-on credit card
Supported if eligible
Axis Bank RuPay credit card
Not supported
Axis Bank debit card
Not currently supported
Other banks' credit cards
Not currently listed
UPI-linked bank account
Not supported through Apple Pay
Apple's official participating-bank page currently lists only Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards for cards issued in India. Apple says that list will be updated as additional banks are added.
What About HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, SBI Card and Other Banks?
They are not part of the initial public support list.
As of October 3, 2026, Apple's India bank-support page lists Axis Bank as the participating issuer.
Reuters reported around the launch that Apple had been discussing Apple Pay with other major Indian banks, including HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank, but agreements had not been finalised at the time.
Users should therefore avoid assuming that a Visa or Mastercard from another Indian bank will work simply because it uses the same network.
Both the card network and issuing bank need to be supported.
Does Apple Pay Support RuPay in India?
Not at launch.
Apple's supported-bank list specifies Visa and Mastercard credit cards from Axis Bank and does not list RuPay. Reuters also reported that India's domestic RuPay network is not part of the initial rollout.
That means an Axis Bank RuPay credit card that already works through UPI cannot simply be added to Apple Wallet for Apple Pay transactions.
RuPay credit-card-on-UPI remains a separate service.
Axis Bank, for example, lets eligible RuPay credit cards be linked to supported UPI apps and used for merchant UPI payments.
Does Apple Pay Support UPI?
Not in the way most Indian consumers use UPI.
UPI allows customers to make real-time payments directly from linked bank accounts or supported credit arrangements using mechanisms such as:
UPI IDs;
mobile numbers;
merchant QR codes;
bank-account links; and
UPI PIN authentication.
Apple Pay's initial India implementation instead operates through supported Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
Axis Bank describes UPI separately as its real-time bank-transfer payment system, while Apple Pay is listed as a card-based payment method.
Therefore, an Indian user cannot currently open Apple Wallet, link a normal bank account and start scanning ordinary UPI QR codes.
That distinction is especially important because UPI remains the dominant everyday digital-payment method in India.
Apple Pay vs UPI: What Is the Difference?
The two systems perform some similar consumer functions but use different payment infrastructure.
Apple Pay
Apple Pay stores a tokenised representation of a supported payment card in Apple Wallet.
When a customer pays, the transaction ultimately runs through the underlying card network — currently Visa or Mastercard for Indian-issued cards supported at launch.
UPI
UPI is built around real-time account-to-account payments and other NPCI-supported payment products.
A shopper can typically scan a UPI QR code and authorize payment using a UPI PIN without needing a traditional Visa or Mastercard credit card.
What this means in practice
Seeing a UPI QR code at a shop does not automatically mean Apple Pay will work there.
For in-store Apple Pay, the merchant needs a compatible contactless payment terminal or other supported Apple Pay acceptance setup.
Which Apple Devices Support Apple Pay in India?
Apple's India launch has specific minimum requirements.
For iPhone, Apple says users need:
iPhone XR or later running iOS 18 or later.
For Apple Watch:
Apple Watch Series 6 or later running watchOS 11 or later, paired with an iPhone XR or later.
Apple Pay is also available for supported purchases on iPad, while Apple's launch announcement says Mac support is coming soon.
Axis Bank separately specifies:
iPhone with iOS 18 or later;
iPad with iPadOS 18 or later;
Apple Watch with watchOS 11 or later.
Can You Tap an iPad at a Shop?
The practical roles of the devices differ.
iPhone and Apple Watch are the main devices for tapping at physical contactless terminals.
iPad support is primarily useful for purchases inside supported apps and websites.
Apple describes in-store use around iPhone and Apple Watch, while iPhone and iPad can both be used for compatible app and web transactions.
How to Set Up Apple Pay With an Axis Bank Credit Card
There are two main methods.
Method 1: Add the Card Through Apple Wallet
On your iPhone:
Open the Wallet app.
Tap the + Add button.
Choose the option to add a debit or credit card.
Hold or tap the eligible card near your iPhone where supported, scan it, or enter the card information manually.
Follow the on-screen instructions.
Complete Axis Bank's card verification.
After verification, the card should appear in Apple Wallet.
Axis Bank says verification may involve an SMS OTP or verification through its mobile-banking app.
Method 2: Add It Through the Axis Bank Mobile Banking App
Axis Bank customers can also:
Open the latest Axis Bank Mobile Banking app.
Sign in.
Select the eligible Visa or Mastercard credit card.
Tap Add to Apple Wallet.
Follow the verification instructions.
Wait for the card-added confirmation.
How to Add Apple Pay to Apple Watch
After adding a supported card to your iPhone, you can also add it to a compatible Apple Watch.
On the paired iPhone:
Open the Watch app.
Select My Watch.
Tap Wallet & Apple Pay.
Choose Add Card.
Select the eligible card.
Complete any required verification.
Axis Bank advises cardholders to use Apple Pay only on their own devices. Add-on cardholders can add an add-on card issued in their own name.
What Settings Need to Be Enabled?
This is an important step that could explain why Apple Pay fails even after a card has been added successfully.
For shop payments
Axis Bank says Tap and Pay must be enabled under the card's Manage Usage Limits settings in its Mobile Banking app.
For online or in-app purchases
The bank says Online Shopping must be enabled.
Your existing card-level transaction limits continue to govern spending.
How to Pay With Apple Pay in a Store
For an iPhone with Face ID:
Double-click the side button.
Authenticate with Face ID or your passcode.
Hold the top of the iPhone close to the contactless reader.
Wait for the Done confirmation.
For an Apple Watch:
Double-click the side button.
Select the card if necessary.
Hold the watch near the contactless reader.
Wait for the confirmation tap or beep.
You do not need to open a separate payment application before each transaction.
Does Apple Pay Need Internet for Tap-to-Pay?
Axis Bank says an in-store contactless Apple Pay transaction does not require mobile data or Wi-Fi on the device at the time of payment.
The payment terminal and merchant's payment infrastructure still need to process the transaction normally.
Where Can You Use Apple Pay in India?
For physical shops, look for the contactless payment symbol.
Apple says its India launch includes acceptance across millions of merchants and named businesses such as:
Apple Store locations;
Blinkit;
Chaayos;
Comet;
Croma;
Interflora;
Ixigo;
Le15 Patisserie;
Reliance brands;
Tata 1mg;
Zomato.
Apple also says it has worked with payment companies including Cashfree, JusPay, Mswipe, Paytm, PayU, Pine Labs, Razorpay and Worldline to expand merchant support.
Online, shoppers need to see an Apple Pay option at checkout.
Not every merchant website, app or payment terminal will necessarily present the option immediately during the early rollout.
Do You Need a PIN or OTP Every Time?
Normally, Apple Pay authenticates a payment using:
Face ID;
Touch ID; or
the device passcode.
Axis Bank says customers do not need to enter the physical credit-card PIN for an Apple Pay purchase.
An OTP or bank-app verification can still be required when initially adding the card to Apple Wallet.
That is different from transaction authentication after setup.
Is Apple Pay Free in India?
For Axis Bank customers, yes, as far as the Apple Pay service itself is concerned.
Axis Bank says there is:
no Apple Pay setup fee;
no Apple Pay transaction fee; and
no Apple Pay annual charge.
Normal terms connected to the underlying credit card and transaction can still apply.
Will Credit-Card Rewards Continue?
Yes.
Apple and Axis Bank both say customers continue earning the normal rewards and benefits attached to the underlying card when paying through Apple Pay.
Axis also says eligible Apple Pay purchases can subsequently be converted to EMI through its banking app under the usual card rules.
Can You Use Apple Pay Before the Physical Card Arrives?
Axis Bank provides an interesting option for newly approved cards.
If an eligible credit card has already been issued and appears inside the Axis Bank Mobile Banking app, the customer can add it to Apple Pay even before the physical card arrives.
However, Axis says that until the physical card is delivered, Apple Pay can only be used online and up to ₹5,000 per transaction, with online transactions enabled.
Does Apple Pay Work Internationally With an Indian Axis Card?
Axis says supported Apple Pay cards can be used at participating merchants internationally wherever Apple Pay or compatible contactless payments are accepted.
The transaction remains tied to the underlying Axis Bank credit card, so card-level international usage settings, limits and applicable foreign-currency charges remain relevant.
Is Apple Pay Secure?
Apple Pay does not simply give the merchant the credit-card number stored on the physical card.
Apple says the actual card number is neither stored on the user's device nor on Apple's servers.
Instead, a unique Device Account Number is created, encrypted and stored in the device's Secure Element.
Apple also says it does not retain transaction information that can personally tie a purchase back to the user.
Mastercard and Visa also use tokenisation as part of the payment process.
If an iPhone is lost or stolen, Apple says Find My can be used to locate or lock the device and suspend payments from it.
What If Apple Wallet Says “Card Not Added”?
Axis Bank recommends checking several points:
confirm the card is an Axis Bank Visa or Mastercard credit card;
make sure the card is active;
update the Axis Bank mobile app;
complete any OTP or bank-app verification;
make sure the device software meets the required version.
If the card remains unsupported, the card issuer may need to investigate the issue.
Why Apple Pay's India Launch Is Different From Other Countries
India is already one of the world's largest digital-payment markets, but much of that activity runs through UPI rather than traditional card wallets.
Reuters reported at launch that UPI accounts for about 84% of India's digital payments, making Apple's entry different from markets where card-based contactless payments dominate everyday purchases.
That creates both an opportunity and a limitation.
Apple Pay offers iPhone users a fast way to use supported premium credit cards, but it currently cannot replace the extremely common experience of scanning any ordinary UPI QR code.
Its reach in India could therefore depend heavily on whether Apple adds:
more issuing banks;
RuPay;
debit cards;
wider merchant support; and potentially
deeper integration with India's domestic payment ecosystem.
Apple has not announced a confirmed timetable for those additions.
Will More Banks Be Added?
Probably over time, but no specific launch dates should be assumed.
Apple's official participating-bank page says the supported-bank list will be updated as additional banks are added.
For now, customers should check Apple's live bank list or their card issuer rather than relying on reports that another bank may be negotiating with Apple.
Apple Pay India: Supported vs Not Supported at Launch
Feature
Status
Axis Bank Visa credit cards
✅ Supported
Axis Bank Mastercard credit cards
✅ Supported
Axis add-on Visa/Mastercard cards
✅ Supported when eligible
Axis Bank RuPay credit cards
❌ Not supported
Axis Bank debit cards
❌ Not supported at launch
Other Indian banks
❌ Not currently listed
UPI bank accounts
❌ Not integrated
UPI QR-code payments
❌ Not supported through Apple Pay
iPhone contactless payments
✅ Supported
Apple Watch contactless payments
✅ Supported
iPad app/web payments
✅ Supported
Native Mac India support
⏳ Coming later
Existing card rewards
✅ Continue
Apple Pay fee from Axis
✅ No additional Apple Pay fee
What Apple Pay Means for Indian iPhone Users
For someone who already uses an eligible Axis Bank Visa or Mastercard credit card, Apple Pay removes the need to carry or repeatedly enter that card for many purchases.
The basic experience is simple:
add the card once → authenticate on the Apple device → tap or select Apple Pay at checkout.
But Apple's initial India rollout is deliberately narrower than the country's broader digital-payment ecosystem.
It currently does not turn the iPhone Wallet into a universal UPI app, it cannot add a RuPay card, and customers of other Indian banks need to wait for their issuers to be officially supported.
That makes Apple Pay an additional card-payment option in India rather than a replacement for UPI.
As Apple signs more banks and payment networks, that distinction could change. For now, users should judge support by the official bank and card list rather than assuming every contactless Indian card will work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Apple Pay officially launched in India?
Yes. Apple officially launched Apple Pay in India on September 30, 2026.
Which bank supports Apple Pay in India?
Axis Bank is currently the only Indian issuer listed by Apple.
Which Axis Bank cards work with Apple Pay?
Axis Bank says all of its Visa and Mastercard credit cards are eligible.
Do Axis Bank debit cards support Apple Pay?
No Axis debit-card support is currently listed. The initial rollout is for Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
Does Apple Pay support Axis Bank RuPay cards?
No. RuPay is not supported in the initial Apple Pay India rollout.
Can I scan a normal UPI QR code using Apple Pay?
No. Apple Pay does not currently function as a UPI bank-account or UPI QR-payment service in India.
Can I add my HDFC, ICICI or SBI credit card?
Not currently, unless Apple and that issuer subsequently announce support. Apple's live India bank list currently shows Axis Bank.
How do I add an Axis card?
Open Apple Wallet, tap +, add the eligible card and complete Axis Bank verification. You can also add a supported card through the Axis Bank Mobile Banking app.
Which iPhones support Apple Pay in India?
Apple's India launch requires iPhone XR or later with iOS 18 or later.
Which Apple Watches support it?
Apple says Apple Watch Series 6 or later with watchOS 11 or later, paired to an iPhone XR or newer.
Is Mac supported?
Apple says Mac support for the Indian rollout is coming later.
Does Apple Pay charge a fee?
Axis Bank says it charges no Apple Pay setup fee, transaction fee or annual Apple Pay charge.
Will I still earn Axis Bank reward points?
Yes. Axis says applicable rewards, cashback and card benefits continue as with the underlying physical card.
Does Apple Pay require internet in shops?
Axis Bank says no mobile data or Wi-Fi connection is required on the device for an in-store contactless payment.
Bottom Line
Apple Pay is live in India with Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards. Setup is simple via Wallet or the Axis app. UPI, RuPay and debit cards are not supported at launch.
It is a card-payment option, not a UPI replacement. More banks may join later.
The Rajatheertha Team publishes news, explainers, guides and updates across India and the world. Our coverage follows Rajatheertha's editorial, verification and corrections standards.
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