- Apple is actively exploring the rollout of its payment platform in India, marking a potential expansion into one of the world’s fastest-growing digital payments markets.
- Discussions are reportedly underway with major Indian banks and global payment networks to build the required infrastructure before launch.
The move signals Apple’s intent to localise Apple Pay rather than simply replicate its international model.
Banks are currently involved in early discussions
Apple is said to be working with leading private sector banks to enable account linking and transaction processing.
Institutions mentioned in the talks:
- ICICI Bank
- HDFC Bank
- Axis Bank
These banks already support multiple digital wallet integrations, making them logical partners for a new payment rollout.
Payment network partnerships
Beyond banks, Apple is also engaging with global card networks that power most smartphone payments worldwide.
Networks involved:
- Mastercard
- Visa
Their role would be to support card tokenisation, contactless payments, and cross-border transaction compatibility.
This ensures Apple Pay works both locally and internationally for Indian users.
UPI integration could be the key difference
A major detail in the discussions is expected support for India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
If implemented, Apple Pay in India would likely offer:
- UPI account linking inside Apple Wallet
- QR code payments are similar to existing Indian apps
- Bank-to-bank transfers without card dependency
- Card payments alongside UPI in a single interface
This hybrid approach is necessary because UPI dominates everyday payments in India.
Why Apple cannot launch in the traditional way
Unlike markets where card payments lead, India is driven by real-time bank transfers.
Challenges Apple must address:
- UPI interoperability requirements
- Compliance with local data and payment regulations
- Merchant acceptance standards
- Competition from established apps such as PhonePe, Google Pay, and Paytm
This makes localisation critical rather than optional.
Expected timeline for rollout
Current discussions suggest Apple Pay may begin launching in India around mid-2026.
Early rollout phases would likely include:
- Limited bank partnerships first
- Card payments were enabled initially
- Gradual UPI expansion
- Merchant acceptance growth over time
Large-scale adoption would depend on ecosystem support rather than the app alone.
What this means for iPhone users in India
If Apple Pay arrives with UPI support, it could change how payments work inside the Apple ecosystem.
Possible benefits:
- Native payments without third-party apps
- Faster checkout using Face ID or Touch ID
- Unified wallet for cards, transit, and UPI
- Better integration with Apple Watch and other Apple devices
The value lies in convenience rather than introducing a new payment method.
Bigger strategic impact
Apple has been expanding services revenue globally, and payments are a major part of that strategy.
India offers:
- Massive digital payments volume
- Growing iPhone user base
- Increasing contactless infrastructure
- Opportunity to deepen ecosystem lock-in
Launching Apple Pay locally would strengthen Apple’s services presence beyond hardware sales.
What to watch next
Key signals that launch is getting closer:
- Regulatory approvals
- Bank app integrations appearing in Apple Wallet
- Developer documentation referencing UPI
- Merchant partnerships for contactless support
The rollout will likely be gradual rather than a single launch event.