Apple is supposedly bringing its popular digital payment service to India as early as October 2026. The initial rollout is expected to focus on card payments, while UPI support remains one of the biggest questions surrounding the launch.
The payment platform, first launched in the US in 2014, is already available across several international markets. While Apple has significantly expanded its business presence in the country, its dedicated payment service has yet to officially enter the Indian market.
The launch would come at a time when digital payments have become an integral part of everyday transactions. UPI support is likely to be one of the most important aspects of Apple's India strategy.
According to reports, Apple is considering UPI integration along with traditional card payments. If included from the beginning, this could give Apple Pay a broader role in everyday payments rather than limiting it primarily to card-based transactions.
However, reports have offered different indications about the launch-day feature set. Some earlier reports suggested Apple could initially introduce card payments and bring UPI support at a later stage.
Banking partnerships will also determine how useful Apple Pay is for Indian customers at launch.
Reports indicate that Axis Bank credit cards could be supported when Apple Pay becomes available. Discussions involving other major banks, including HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank, have reportedly not yet been finalized.
