Apple Pay Is Finally Coming to India, But Here’s Why Most iPhone Users May Stick to UPI

Apple Pay could finally be heading to India after nearly 12 years, but its arrival may not change how most Indians pay with their iPhones. Reports suggest Apple is preparing an October rollout with Axis Bank credit cards, while UPI support may not be part of the initial launch.

That distinction matters in India, where UPI has become the default way to pay for everything from online purchases to a cup of tea. UPI processed 24.51 billion transactions worth Rs 29.82 trillion in August 2026, according to NPCI.

Apple Pay in India Could Start as a Card-Only Service

The reported first phase appears to be focused on tap-and-pay card transactions. Axis Bank is expected to be the initial banking partner, while Apple is reportedly in discussions with HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank.

That means eligible iPhone and Apple Watch users could potentially add supported cards to Apple Wallet and pay at compatible contactless terminals without opening a separate app.

Apple Pay uses tokenised card credentials rather than storing the actual card number on the device. Transactions can be authenticated using Face ID, Touch ID or a passcode.

For someone who already uses an eligible credit card, this could be genuinely convenient. But it does not solve India's biggest payment use case: scanning a UPI QR code.

Why Google Pay and PhonePe Have an Advantage

A card-only Apple Pay rollout would leave apps such as Google Pay and PhonePe handling the payments many Indians make every day through UPI.

UPI is also evolving beyond QR codes. NPCI recently introduced tap-and-pay functionality for UPI, allowing compatible smartphones to make contactless payments at terminals using NFC.

So Apple Pay's biggest challenge isn't making tap-to-pay easier. It's fitting into the payment behaviour India has already adopted.

Apple Pay Has Taken Nearly 12 Years to Reach India

Apple announced Apple Pay in September 2014, with the service launching in the US the following month.

The long wait for India makes the reported rollout significant, but Apple still has a lot to prove. Reports of Axis Bank preparations have surfaced, while Apple has yet to officially confirm the India launch, supported banks or UPI integration.

For Indian iPhone users, Apple Pay could become a useful credit-card wallet. Whether it becomes a serious replacement for Google Pay or PhonePe will largely depend on one missing piece: UPI support.