CTA keyword: APPLEPAY · from the @compedge.ai x @am_roshh carousel
Apple Pay went live in India on 30 Sep 2026. At launch it works with one bank. Here's how to check your card, add it, and pay.
What launched
- Apple Pay is live in India as of 30 Sep 2026, with Axis Bank as Apple's first banking partner.
- Devices: iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. Mac support is "coming soon," per Apple, with no date.
- Where: in stores (contactless), in apps and online.
- Apple Pay is available in more than 90 countries and regions (Apple's figure).
Which cards work
| Card | At launch | |---|---| | Axis Bank Visa credit card | Yes | | Axis Bank Mastercard credit card | Yes | | Other banks' cards | Not announced | | Debit cards | Not announced |
No other bank and no date for the next rollout has been confirmed. If you hold another bank's card, watch for your own bank's notice.
Axis Bank lists these minimums: an iPhone on iOS 18 or later, an iPad on iPadOS 18 or later, or an Apple Watch on watchOS 11 or later.
Add your card, step by step
Route 1: the Axis Bank mobile app
- Open the Axis Bank app and log in.
- Select the credit card you want to add.
- Tap "Add to Apple Wallet".
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
- You'll see a "Card Added" confirmation.
Route 2: Apple Wallet on iPhone
- Open the Wallet app and tap the Add (+) button.
- Tap "Debit or Credit Card" (or "Cards Found For You" for a card you used before), then tap Continue.
- Hold your card near your iPhone, or tap "Enter Card Details Manually".
- Complete the bank's verification: an SMS OTP or a check in the Axis app.
Apple Watch: on your paired iPhone, open the Apple Watch app, go to My Watch > Wallet & Apple Pay > Add Card, and follow the same steps.
If you stop before verifying, open Wallet, pick the card marked "Requires Verification" and finish there. The card can't be used until it's verified.
Before your first payment
In the Axis app, go to Manage Usage Limits and turn on:
- "Tap and Pay" to pay in stores;
- "Online Shopping" to pay in apps and on websites.
Paying in a store with iPhone:
- Double-click the side button (Home button on older iPhones).
- Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode.
- Hold the top of the iPhone near the contactless reader until you see "Done" and a tick.
With Apple Watch: double-click the side button and hold the display near the reader.
Online and in apps: tap the Apple Pay button at checkout, check the details, and confirm.
Where it works
Look for the Apple Pay mark or the contactless symbol at checkout.
Apple's own list of launch merchants in India (company claim): Apple Store, Blinkit, Chaayos, Croma, ixigo, Reliance brands, Tata 1mg, Zomato.
Payment firms named at launch as enabling Apple Pay for their merchants: Razorpay, Cashfree, Juspay, PayU, Paytm, Pine Labs, Mswipe, Worldline.
Sources
- Apple Newsroom (India), "Apple Pay launches in India", 30 Sep 2026: https://www.apple.com/in/newsroom/2026/09/apple-pay-launches-in-india/
- Axis Bank, Apple Pay page and FAQ: https://www.axis.bank.in/payments/payment-methods/apple-pay
- Apple Support, Set up Apple Pay: https://support.apple.com/en-in/108398
- Entrackr, 30 Sep 2026 (payment firms): https://entrackr.com/apple-pay-launches-in-india-with-axis-bank-cards-razorpay-cashfree-enable-merchant-support-12592645
- Inc42, 30 Sep 2026: https://inc42.com/buzz/apple-pay-launches-in-india-partners-with-axis-bank/
This is a how-to, not financial advice. Check your bank's own page for the latest eligibility.
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