Apple Pay Likely to Launch in India This Year

[MacRumors]

Apple Pay is set to go live in the Indian market by the end of 2026, according to a new report by Business Standard.

The service still requires regulatory approvals before it can go live in the country, but Apple is reportedly working with banks, regulators, and card networks to bring the payment service to India within the year, claims the publication's sources.

Once launched, Apple Pay is also expected to offer its Tap to Pay on iPhone feature, allowing users in India to make contactless payments at point-of-sale terminals via NFC. But before that can happen, Apple will have to negotiate fees with major card issuers for use of the payment gateway.

UPI dominates digital payments in India, but the report's sources say Apple is unlikely to pursue third-party application provider approval for that system in the near term. Last year, Cashfree Payments and Razorpay integrated Apple Pay to support international payments for Indian merchants.

Apple Pay launched more than 10 years ago, and is already available across 89 markets globally.

The timing comes at a good moment for Apple in India. The company recorded its highest quarterly shipments in the country during Q3 2025, reaching 5 million units and securing fourth place in the market for the first time, according to IDC data.

Article Link: Apple Pay Likely to Launch in India This Year

 

[-BigMac-]

Only 12 years after launch🤣

 

[contacos]

Bit too late. QR-Codes are king there

 

[bLackjackj]

Bit too late. QR-Codes are king there

Gaaawd,..that’d be like living in last century. Imagine having to scan a code on every purchase 🤦‍♂️

 

[ForkHandles]

But where?

India doesn’t have supermarkets, discount warehouses and the like. Every store is a sole trader.

 

[Ramchi]

UPI dominates most of the cashless transactions from road side vendor up to big stores but mainly replacing the wallet purchases of small amounts (less than $100-$200) in general though you still can make payment at higher values (say $1000). For very high value transactions beyond $1000-$2000, typically cards are used. Younger generation started playing the credit card EMI (Equal Monthly Instalments) game by having multiple cards and become debt trapped. Apple Pay will be useful only where high value transactions are made and considering the charges initial response may be muted and may only be available in big retail shops like Reliance Digital, CROMA, DMart and Of Course in Jewellery and luxury Fashion stores. Apple Pay probably not targeting UPI Payment since small and medium sized resellers won’t be ready to cut big margin for payment gateways also, they need to buy the Apple Pay Device at the counter which is not as convenient like QR Code Speaker (PayTM) which announces the amount that got credited to their account as soon as the payment is done.

Apple Pay may try to take advantage of the credit card style free offerings, coupons, discounts, differed payment etc…..but it will be successful only when the shop owners are ready to install the system at their counters.

 

[roklanhavok]

Wow, I didn't realize they weren't in India yet. If they can make this happen it will be very good for the company.

 

[dontwalkhand]

Bit too late. QR-Codes are king there

Because rather than just double clicking and tapping, it’s way more intuitive to unlock your phone, swipe swipe swipe until you find the right app, open the app, authenticate in the app, and then scan with said app.

 

[contacos]

Because rather than just double clicking and tapping, it’s way more intuitive to unlock your phone, swipe swipe swipe until you find the right app, open the app, authenticate in the app, and then scan with said app.

I am not saying it's better. Just stating how it's currently being used. I couldn't even use it as a foreigner (requires an Indian bank Account)

 

[ifxf]

Yet Walmart still doesn’t support Apple Pay.

 

[ifxf]

Because rather than just double clicking and tapping, it’s way more intuitive to unlock your phone, swipe swipe swipe until you find the right app, open the app, authenticate in the app, and then scan with said app.

I have the second page on my phone dedicated to QR apps. Much easier to use than Apple Wallet which now has 15 items, most partially hidden. With the QR apps, I can also get free stuff. I haven’t figured out how to pay with NFC at most drive-thrus, with QR they just scan.

 

[dontwalkhand]

I have the second page on my phone dedicated to QR apps. Much easier to use than Apple Wallet which now has 15 items, most partially hidden. With the QR apps, I can also get free stuff. I haven’t figured out how to pay with NFC at most drive-thrus, with QR they just scan.

You hold out your phone, they hold out their device, you tap. I have had no issues with any drive thrus, whether a small business or a chain restaurant, the process is the same.

 

[bLackjackj]

Yet Walmart still doesn’t support Apple Pay.

It does in Canada. Maybe that's because people just accept it and use Walmarts dumb WalmartPay. Customers need to protest with the way they pay.

 

[SirROM]

Uhm, I just returned from India last week. I was able to use ApplePay (with 2 different cards) in places that accepted tap payments without issue. The real hurdle is finding places that have the terminals to do so. Cash is still king in most places, which required frequent ATM withdrawals, especially for shopping in smaller stores and towns.

 

[svish]

Very happy to hear about this. Have been waiting for a long time. Hopefully there won't be any further delays.

 

[bg1419]

I wonder if this increases or decreases scams in India lol