Apple is preparing to bring Apple Pay to India, as it holds talks with major banks and global card networks to launch its payment service in the country. The company is targeting a possible rollout around the middle of 2026, although the timeline can still change as discussions continue. The move signals Apple’s deeper push into one of the world’s fastest-growing digital payments markets.
Bloomberg reported that Apple is in discussions with ICICI Bank Ltd., HDFC Bank Ltd., and Axis Bank Ltd. to support the service in India. The company is also speaking with Mastercard Inc. and Visa Inc. as part of the plan. Apple declined to comment, and the banks and card networks did not immediately respond.
UPI Support and Card Payments
Apple Pay in India is expected to support the country’s Unified Payments Interface, widely known as UPI, alongside traditional card-based payments. UPI allows users to instantly transfer money and pay bills, and it dominates India’s digital payments space. The National Payments Corporation of India will operate the system.
India’s central bank recently allowed biometric authentication, including fingerprint and facial recognition, for digital payments. This aligns with how Apple Pay works globally, as it relies on Face ID or Touch ID to approve payments in stores, on websites, and within apps.
India has more than 750 million smartphone users, supported by affordable mobile data and strong government backing for digital payments. Global players such as Alphabet Inc.’s Google Pay, Walmart Inc.-controlled PhonePe, and Amazon.com Inc. already operate in the market, along with local firms like Paytm. After news of Apple’s talks surfaced, shares of Paytm’s parent company fell.
Apple currently holds about 10 percent of India’s smartphone market. At the same time, it is expanding local manufacturing and retail operations, including opening a new store in Mumbai. An Apple Pay launch can strengthen its services revenue and support hardware sales as it deepens its presence in India.
