Apple is finally preparing to bring its popular digital payment service, Apple Pay, to the Indian market, as reported by Business Standard. After years of anticipation, the tech giant is reportedly in active discussions with global card networks like Mastercard and Visa to finalize the rollout. If all goes according to plan, Indian iPhone users could be tapping to pay before the end of the 2026 calendar year.
The move marks a significant milestone for Apple’s services division in India. While the service is already available in 89 markets globally, its entry into India has been a long-awaited expansion. This development follows Apple’s record-breaking performance in the country, where it captured a 10% volume market share in 2025.
Apple plans to introduce Apple Pay in a phased manner. The first phase will be card-based contactless payments, which will enable customers to store their credit and debit cards in the Apple Wallet and make secure transactions at point-of-sale (PoS) terminals using Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology. Apple is not expected to integrate with the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in the first phase. Integrating with UPI requires a distinct regulatory framework and a fundamentally different payments architecture.
For many users, the convenience of using Face ID or Touch ID to authorize a payment without opening a third-party app is a major selling point. This seamless experience is expected to drive high adoption rates among the growing base of iPhone users in India.
“The rising installed base provides an opportunity for Apple to deepen its services play,” says Varun Mishra, an analyst at Counterpoint Research. “India is the world’s largest digital payments market, making Apple Pay a natural candidate for expansion.”
Once the service goes live, you will finally be able to leave your physical wallet at home more often. By simply adding your Indian-issued cards to the Wallet app, you can pay at retail stores, restaurants, and transit hubs with a quick tap of your iPhone or Apple Watch. Stay updated with the latest news on this by downloading the Appleosophy App from the App Store or by visiting our website.
