- Service launch, no version number: Apple Watch Series 11: Amazon Discounts">Apple Pay's India launch is set for October 2026, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and Reuters, but Apple hasn't confirmed a version or build number, so you won't see any specific numbers tied to this release.
- Initial bank support: It looks like Apple Pay will launch with Axis Bank credit cards on Visa and Mastercard, but there's no word on UPI or RuPay support at launch, which might limit its appeal.
- Eligible devices: If you're an iPhone or Apple Watch user in India with an eligible Axis Bank credit card, you may be able to add cards to Apple Wallet, but Apple hasn't published an official device list, so it's unclear which specific models will be supported.
Indian iPhone and Apple Watch users have been waiting over a decade for Apple Pay, and it's finally coming next month, but the initial rollout seems limited to Axis Bank credit cards, and UPI support is unclear, which could be a problem for users who rely on UPI for payments.
Update Overview
- Update Name: Apple Pay's India service launch, which is a big deal for Apple fans in the country.
- Version/Build Number: Not disclosed, and it's not a standalone OS build, so don't expect a major update to your device's operating system.
- Update Type: This is a payment service launch, not a security patch or major OS update, so it's optional, and you can keep using your existing UPI apps if you don't want Apple Pay.
- Size: Not disclosed, but it's unlikely to be a huge download, given it's just a payment service.
- Rollout Status: Reported for October 2026, but unconfirmed, so we'll have to wait and see if it actually happens.
- Region: India, which is a significant market for Apple, and this launch could help the company gain more traction in the country.
- Security Patch Level: Not announced, but since this is a payment service launch, it's not a major security update, and you shouldn't worry too much about it.
Since this is an optional payment service launch, there's no rush to get it, and you can just keep using your existing UPI apps like Google Pay, PhonePe, or Paytm if you don't want Apple Pay, which is a good thing, given the limited bank support at launch.
Eligible Devices and Rollout Schedule
Apple hasn't said which devices will be eligible for Apple Pay in India, but it's likely that any iPhone or Apple Watch that supports Apple Pay will work, as long as you have an eligible Axis Bank credit card, and you can make contactless payments by holding your device near a payment terminal, which is convenient.
iPhone
iPhones are reported to be eligible for Apple Pay in India, but Apple hasn't confirmed specific models, so it's unclear which ones will be supported, but if your iPhone supports Apple Pay and you have an eligible Axis Bank credit card, it should work once the service is enabled.
Apple Watch
Apple Watches are also reported to be eligible for contactless payments in India, but again, Apple hasn't confirmed specific models, so it's unclear which ones will be supported, and it's possible that older Watch models might not be included, which could be a disappointment for some users.
| Device | Region | Status | Expected Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone (Apple Pay-compatible) | India | Unconfirmed | October 2026 (reported) |
| Apple Watch (Apple Pay-compatible) | India | Unconfirmed | October 2026 (reported) |
India rollout note: Apple Pay isn't a carrier-billed service, so you won't have to worry about Jio, Airtel, or Vi delays, but the bottleneck is bank support, and right now, only Axis Bank credit cards are confirmed for launch, so you'll need to check with your bank to see if you're eligible, and to do that, you can open Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay and see if “Add Card” appears, which is a simple process.
What Is Apple Pay and How Will It Work in India?
Apple Pay is Apple's contactless payment service, which was first introduced in the US in 2014, and it's finally coming to India, where it will give iPhone and Apple Watch users a way to make contactless card payments directly through their devices, without opening a separate payment app, which is a convenient feature that many users will appreciate.
Contactless Payments With iPhone and Apple Watch
According to reports, users with eligible Axis Bank credit cards will be able to add their cards to Apple Wallet, and once the card is verified, they can make payments at a contactless terminal by holding their iPhone or Apple Watch near the reader, which is a straightforward process.
No Peer-to-Peer Payments at Launch
Apple Pay isn't designed for sending money to friends or family, and Apple's person-to-person feature, Apple Cash, is only available in the US, so if you want to send money to a friend on Android or iPhone, you'll need to keep using UPI apps like Google Pay, PhonePe, or Paytm, which is a bit of a limitation.
Banks, Cards, and UPI: What the Reports Say
The reported India launch is tied to bank partnerships, and the details are still incomplete, but it's clear that Apple is working with Axis Bank to launch Apple Pay in the country.
Axis Bank Credit Cards First
Reuters has reported that Apple Pay will initially be offered through a single banking partner: Axis Bank, and the service will support Visa and Mastercard credit cards, but HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank were also mentioned in earlier reports as banks Apple was in talks with, so it's possible that they'll be added later, which would expand the service's reach.
UPI Support Remains Uncertain
Reports are conflicting on UPI support, with Bloomberg's Mark Gurman saying Apple Pay will support UPI alongside card payments, but a Reuters report didn't mention UPI as part of the initial rollout, and other reports have suggested Apple Pay could launch without UPI, with support added later, which would be a bit of a disappointment for users who rely on UPI.
India Availability
UPI support, if it arrives, would make Apple Pay more relevant in India's digital payments market, but for now, it's unclear what will happen, and users will have to wait and see how the service develops, which is a bit frustrating, given the uncertainty surrounding the launch.
Now, the big question is, will Apple Pay be able to compete with existing UPI apps in India, and the answer is, it's hard to say, but one thing is certain, Apple's entry into the Indian payments market will shake things up, and we can expect some interesting developments in the coming months, so stay tuned.