Apple Pay launches in India with Axis Bank credit cards

Apple has launched its payments service in India, entering a market largely dominated by UPI instant payments system.

In a statement today (30 September), Apple India said users can use Apple Pay to make contactless payments on iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. Mac support will be added at a later date.

At launch, Apple Pay in India will work with Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards.

Eligible users can add their cards to Apple Wallet and pay at merchants that accept NFC transactions. This includes both in-store and online acceptance across India.

Apple Pay and Apple Wallet vice president Jennifer Bailey said: “India is home to a dynamic and digitally savvy population that continues to embrace a cashless future while expecting the highest standards of security and privacy, and we’re so excited to bring Apple Pay to users in India today.

“Apple Pay makes everyday payments with a card easy, secure, and private — from simply tapping to pay in stores without an extra app, PIN, or OTP to checking out online without repeatedly entering payment information.”

Apple said actual card numbers are not stored on the user’s device or on Apple’s servers. They are also not shared with merchants.

Instead, Apple assigns a Device Account Number, encrypts it and stores it in the “Secure Element” chip on the device.

Users do not need to enter a card PIN or one-time password at checkout when using Apple Pay. For in-store payments, they can double-click the side button or Home button, authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID or a device passcode, and hold the iPhone or Apple Watch near a contactless payment terminal.

Visa India and South Asia group country manager Suresh Sethi said: “The launch of Apple Pay in India marks an important milestone in the evolution of the country’s digital payments journey.

“By bringing together Apple’s intuitive consumer experience with Visa’s trusted global network and tokenisation capabilities, Apple Pay brings consumers in India a simpler, safer, and more seamless way to pay.”

The tech giant said said Apple Pay will be accepted by “millions of merchants” in India at launch. These include Apple Store locations, Blinkit, Chaayos, Comet, Croma, Interflora, Ixigo, Le15 Patisserie, Reliance brands, Tata 1mg and Zomato.

More merchants and apps will be added over time, it added.

Apple Pay was launched in the US in 2014. It is now available in more than 90 countries and regions.

Earlier this year, Visa enabled support for Chinese cardholders to pay using Apple Pay. The service allows eligible customers to add Visa cards from participating banks and make payments at overseas merchants that accept Visa.