Apple Pay could launch in India later this year, with Apple reportedly preparing to enter the country’s growing digital payments market. According to sources, the company is in talks with financial institutions as it works towards a possible launch.
Apple has not officially confirmed the India launch, its timeline or the features that will be available.
Apple Pay may launch with credit card support
According to sources, the service is expected to initially support credit cards issued on major networks such as Visa and Mastercard. People familiar with the plans stated that Apple is also in discussions with major card-issuing banks over the revenue it could earn from transactions made through Apple Pay.
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If launched, the service would allow users to add eligible credit and debit cards to Apple Wallet and use an iPhone or iPad to make contactless payments at supported point-of-sale terminals. These payments would use near-field communication (NFC) technology.
The move could give Apple Pay access to India’s premium credit card users, a segment that has continued to grow as digital and contactless payments become more common.
UPI may not be available at launch
Apple Pay is not expected to support UPI when it launches in India, according to the sources. To offer UPI payments, Apple would need approval from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and a sponsor bank.
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As a result, Apple could initially rely on its card-based payment system, similar to how Apple Pay operates in several other international markets. Apple is reportedly seeking a fee of around 15 to 20 basis points from banks for transactions made through Apple Pay. Some banks, however, are said to be pushing for a lower fee of around 10 basis points. The reported fee would be paid from banks’ interchange revenue and would not be directly charged to customers or merchants.
Apple Pay could add momentum to credit card payments
An India launch could further strengthen the country’s credit card payment ecosystem. While UPI remains the dominant digital payment method, credit card transactions have also been increasing.
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Pine Labs CEO Amrish Rau has reportedly said that Apple Pay is expected to enter India before the end of 2026. Credit card transactions in the country are already growing by around 10 to 15 per cent, alongside the continued expansion of UPI.
Indrani Priyadarshini is a journalist and editorial professional specialising in technology, artificial intelligence, smart cities, green energy, and digital transformation. With over four years of experience in tech journalism and digital media, she is known for turning complex industry developments into clear, engaging, and insightful stories. Her expertise spans reporting, editorial strategy, digital publishing workflows, and in-depth coverage of emerging technologies shaping the future.
