Apple Pay is preparing to enter the Indian market, with discussions progressing between Apple Inc. and several domestic banks as well as global card networks. According to media reports, the company is exploring partnerships that could pave the way for a formal rollout in India by mid-2026, although a definitive launch date has not yet been announced.
Sources indicate that Apple has initiated preliminary talks with leading Indian lenders including ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank. In parallel, the tech giant is also coordinating with international card networks such as Mastercard and Visa to ensure seamless support for card-based transactions in India.
Intense Competition in Digital Payments
India’s digital payments ecosystem is already highly competitive. Platforms such as Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm and Amazon Pay have established strong user bases and merchant networks across the country.
Against this backdrop, Apple Pay’s India entry is being viewed as a strategic move focused primarily on premium smartphone users. Unlike open-platform payment apps available across Android and iOS devices, Apple Pay operates exclusively within Apple’s ecosystem, including iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac devices. This hardware-linked approach may limit its mass-market reach but positions it strongly among higher-income and brand-loyal consumers.
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Possible UPI Integration
People familiar with the matter suggest that Apple Pay may integrate India’s widely used Unified Payments Interface (UPI). UPI has emerged as the backbone of India’s real-time digital payments infrastructure, enabling instant bank-to-bank transfers at scale.
If UPI support is built into Apple Pay at launch, it could significantly enhance user adoption by aligning the service with India’s dominant payment rail. UPI integration would also allow Apple users to transact beyond traditional card-based payments, broadening the utility of the wallet in everyday transactions.
Focus on Biometric Security
Apple Pay authorises transactions through biometric verification tools such as Face ID and Touch ID. In recent years, the Reserve Bank of India has permitted biometric-based authentication mechanisms in digital payments, expanding beyond conventional one-time password (OTP) systems.
The biometric model is widely regarded as more secure and user-friendly, reducing friction during checkout while maintaining high security standards. This security architecture has been central to Apple Pay’s positioning in global markets.
Why India Matters to Apple
With a population of nearly 1.4 billion, over 750 million smartphone users and one of the world’s lowest mobile data costs, India represents one of the largest and fastest-growing digital economies globally. Although Apple’s smartphone market share in India remains lower compared to Android-based brands, the company has steadily expanded its footprint through local manufacturing and retail investments.
Apple typically earns a small share of transaction fees routed through Apple Pay. If the service gains traction in India, it could contribute meaningfully to the company’s fast-growing services revenue segment, which includes digital payments, subscriptions and cloud services.
What Lies Ahead
An official announcement from Apple and its prospective banking partners is still awaited. However, the ongoing discussions suggest that Apple Pay’s India launch is under active consideration and may materialise once regulatory, technical and partnership frameworks are finalised.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
