New Delhi: Apple Pay has advanced towards a potential India launch as Apple holds talks with leading domestic banks and global card networks. The Apple Pay expansion has included discussions with ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank as the company explores partnerships ahead of a possible rollout around mid-2026.
Apple has also engaged with payment networks Visa and Mastercard as part of its preparations. People familiar with the matter have indicated that timelines remain flexible, but negotiations suggest progress towards introducing Apple Pay in one of the world’s largest digital payments markets.
The move has marked another step in Apple’s broader push to grow its footprint in India, a country with more than 1.4 billion people and a rapidly expanding middle class. Apple has increased manufacturing and retail operations in recent years, strengthening its presence despite a smaller market share compared with lower-priced Android devices.
Apple Pay in India is expected to support the country’s Unified Payments Interface, widely known as UPI, alongside card-based transactions. UPI has dominated digital payments in India by allowing instant money transfers and bill payments, making integration essential for any new payment service entering the market.
India’s central bank has also introduced rules permitting biometric authentication for digital transactions, including fingerprint and facial recognition. Apple Pay already relies on Face ID and Touch ID for authentication in physical stores, websites and applications, aligning with these regulatory developments.
With more than 750 million smartphone users and widespread access to affordable mobile data, India has become one of the fastest-growing digital payments markets globally. The Apple Pay initiative has been viewed as an opportunity for Apple to expand services revenue while competing with platforms such as Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm and Amazon Pay.
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