Apple Pay in India: iPhone maker in talks with banks to launch service by mid-2026

Apple is preparing to launch Apple Pay in India, with discussions underway with several major banks and global payment networks as it seeks to tap into one of the world’s fastest-growing fintech markets.

The company is in talks with ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, and Axis Bank, along with Visa Inc and Mastercard Inc., according to people familiar with the matter.

While the timeline remains flexible, Apple aims to introduce its digital payments service in India around mid-2026. The move would mark a significant milestone in the company’s efforts to expand beyond devices into services in a country where it already sees growing consumer interest and manufacturing investment.

Apple Pay to integrate with India’s UPI network

The launch is expected to make Apple Pay one of the few international payment platforms to integrate with India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI, the state-backed, real-time system that allows instant money transfers and bill payments.

By supporting both UPI and traditional card-based payments, Apple Pay will compete directly with popular domestic and global players such as Google Pay, PhonePe, Amazon Pay, and India’s own Paytm.

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The Times of India first reported Apple’s discussions on its India payment plans.

India’s central bank recently introduced new rules that allow biometric authentication, such as fingerprint and facial recognition, for approving digital payments, a change that aligns perfectly with Apple Pay’s security features like Face ID and Touch ID.

These technologies enable users to make secure payments in person via tap-to-pay, as well as through apps and websites.

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The arrival of Apple Pay could also drive demand for iPhones, Apple Watches, iPads, and Macs, all of which support the payment feature. Apple typically takes a small cut from each transaction made through Apple Pay, meaning its expansion into India could further boost its services revenue.

Beyond payments, Apple is steadily expanding its footprint in the country. It recently opened its sixth retail store, Apple Borivali in Mumbai, and continues to strengthen local production, exporting iPhones to the US as part of its effort to diversify manufacturing away from China.

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Apple CEO Tim Cook has repeatedly described India as a “hugely exciting” market, citing its double-digit growth in sales and rising consumer base. With Apple Pay on the horizon, that growth may be about to accelerate.