Apple Pay Arrives in India: No More Carrying Credit Cards; Pay Directly via iPhone and Smartwatch
The wait for Apple Pay in India is finally over. Apple has officially launched its digital payment service in the country. Initially, the company has partnered with Axis Bank, allowing only Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards to be added to Apple Pay for now. This service enables users to make contactless payments using their iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. A key feature is that there is no need to open a separate app for payments; users can simply tap their device on an NFC-enabled PoS terminal to complete the transaction.
For now, Apple Pay in India supports only Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards. This means that if you hold an Axis Bank RuPay credit card, it cannot be used with Apple Pay at this stage. However, Apple plans to expand support to other banks and card networks in the future.
To make a payment at a store using Apple Pay, you need to double-click the side button of your iPhone. You then authenticate the transaction using Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode. Finally, simply hold the iPhone near an NFC-enabled PoS terminal to complete the payment. According to Apple, no separate PIN or OTP entry is required for this process.
Additionally, Apple Pay can be used on apps and websites that offer it as a payment option. At launch, support has been confirmed for various apps—such as Blinkit, Zomato, Zepto, MakeMyTrip, and Ixigo—as well as merchants like Tata and Reliance Brands.
To add an eligible Axis Bank Visa or Mastercard credit card to Apple Pay, open the Apple Wallet app and tap the ‘+’ icon. You can then add the card by following the on-screen instructions. Alternatively, the card can be added directly to Apple Wallet via the latest version of the Axis Bank app. According to Apple, the user’s actual card number is neither stored on Apple’s servers nor shared with merchants. Instead, a device account number is used, which is securely stored in the device’s Secure Element. Authentication during payment is performed using Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode. Currently, Apple Pay is available in India on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, while support for Mac is expected to arrive later.
