Apple Pay with Credit Cards in India: What Works Today (2026)

For years, we heard the rumour of an "Apple Pay India launch" every now and then. On 30 September 2026, it finally came true. So, you can now add a card to Apple Wallet and pay with your iPhone or Apple Watch at a shop counter, or with Face ID in apps and on websites.

There's a catch, though. At launch, only Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards work. If your cards are from HDFC, ICICI, SBI Card or any other bank, Apple Wallet won't take them yet. RuPay cards and UPI aren't part of Apple Pay either.

This article covers exactly what works today, which devices and merchants are supported, and what to do if your card isn't on the list.

💳 The card behind the tap decides your rewards. Whether you pay with Apple Pay, UPI or a physical card, check Monzy's live credit card offers page to see current bank deals, filtered by the cards you hold.

TL;DR

• Apple Pay launched in India on 30 September 2026, on iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. Mac support is "coming soon."
• Only Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards are supported for now. But not every Axis card may be eligible.
• HDFC, ICICI, SBI Card and other banks aren't supported yet. RuPay and UPI don't work with Apple Pay either.
• You need an iPhone XR or later on iOS 18, or an Apple Watch Series 6 or later on watchOS 11.
• Apple says you keep earning your card's usual rewards when you pay with Apple Pay.

Is Apple Pay live in India?

Yes. Apple announced the launch on 30 September 2026. Users in India can now pay with Apple Pay on iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, with support for Mac to follow.

You can use it:

• In stores: tap your iPhone or Apple Watch on a contactless (NFC) terminal.
• In apps: pay with Face ID or Touch ID in apps that offer Apple Pay.
• On the web: check out in Safari on websites that support it.

Apple says you won't have to type a PIN or OTP at checkout. Your card number isn't stored on the phone or shared with the merchant. Instead, Apple assigns an encrypted Device Account Number (a token) that sits in the iPhone's Secure Element chip.

Which cards and banks work with Apple Pay in India?

At launch, Axis Bank is the only bank on Apple Pay in India. Here's where things stand:

The Economic Times notes that not every Axis card is necessarily eligible, so check in the Wallet app whether your card can be added. If you aren't sure which Axis card you hold, see our Axis Bank credit cards guide.

Are HDFC, ICICI or SBI Card coming? Unconfirmed. Apple says more banks and cards will be added over time, but hasn't named any.

The Indian Express cited an earlier Reuters report that Apple held talks with HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank without finalising agreements. Business Today reported speculation after HDFC's website mentioned Apple Pay, but HDFC hasn't announced support. Until a bank announces it officially, assume your non-Axis card won't work.

Which iPhones and Apple Watches are supported?

According to Apple:

• iPhone: iPhone XR or later, on iOS 18 or later
• Apple Watch: Series 6 or later, on watchOS 11 or later, paired with an iPhone XR or later
• iPad: in-app and web payments
• Mac: coming soon

Where can you pay with Apple Pay in India?

Apple's launch partners include Apple Store locations, Blinkit, Chaayos, Comet, Croma, Interflora, Ixigo, Le15 Patisserie, Reliance brands, Tata 1mg and Zomato.

Apple also worked with payment providers like BillDesk, Cashfree, Juspay, Mswipe, Paytm, PayU, Pine Labs and Razorpay to bring Apple Pay to their merchants, with more to come.

In stores, Apple says Apple Pay works anywhere that accepts NFC (contactless) payments. MacRumors, citing TechCrunch, reported that merchants and payment terminals need to add support for Apple Pay. So, it may not work at every contactless counter yet. Keep your physical card or UPI as a backup.

💡 Using Apple Pay on Zomato, Blinkit or Croma? The rewards depend on the card, not the wallet. Monzy's credit card offers tool lists current bank offers on shopping, food delivery and more.

How to set up Apple Pay in India

1. Update the Axis Bank app to the latest version and add your card to Apple Wallet from inside the app. Or: Open the Wallet app on your iPhone, tap the + sign, and follow the steps to add an eligible card.
2. Complete Axis Bank's verification when prompted.
3. In a store: double-click the side button (or Home button), authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode, and hold the top of the iPhone near the reader. On Apple Watch, double-click the side button and hold the display near the reader.
4. Online: choose Apple Pay at checkout and confirm with Face ID or Touch ID.

If your iPhone is lost or stolen, you can use the Find My app to locate it, lock it, or suspend Apple Pay on it.

Which Axis card should you add?

Apple Pay doesn't change what your card earns. Apple says you keep your card's usual rewards and benefits. So add the Axis card that already earns the most on the spends you'll tap for. Check our card reviews:

• Axis Atlas for travel-focused spenders
• Axis Magnus for high spenders
• Axis Ace for simple cashback
• Airtel Axis for Airtel and utility bills
• Axis Neo as an entry-level card

Axis has changed several cards' terms this year, so check our roundup of Axis Bank credit card changes from August 2026 before you make one your default.

👉 Choosing a default card for Apple Pay? Compare what your cards earn today on Monzy's live credit card offers page. Pick the one with the best live deals for the places you shop most.

No Axis card? Your options today

If your cards are from another bank, here's what works on an iPhone right now:

• RuPay credit card on UPI: link a RuPay credit card to a UPI app on your iPhone and scan-and-pay at shops. It's not Apple Pay, but it works almost everywhere UPI is accepted. See our list of practical RuPay credit cards for UPI.
• Tap the physical card: most Visa and Mastercard credit cards issued in India have contactless built in, so you can tap the card on an NFC terminal.
• Saved (tokenised) cards online: under RBI's card-on-file tokenisation rules, merchants like Amazon, Flipkart and Swiggy store a token instead of your card number, so repeat checkouts are quick and secure.
• Android users: NFC phones can make tokenised tap-to-pay payments with supported cards through Google's wallet and Samsung's wallet, which have been available in India for years with several banks.

Should you switch to Axis just for Apple Pay?

Probably not. Apple Pay is just one more way to pay. It doesn't give you more rewards or better offers. A new card means a hard enquiry on your credit report, and Axis is only one of many issuers. More banks are likely to join over time, even if none has confirmed.

If you were already considering an Axis card for its rewards, Apple Pay is a nice bonus. Otherwise, keep using the card that earns the most and wait for your bank to join.

🛒 Before your next big tap or checkout: see which of your cards has the best live deal on Monzy's credit card offers tool. It takes 30 seconds.

FAQs about Apple Pay in India

Is Apple Pay available in India?

Yes. Apple Pay launched in India on 30 September 2026 for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, with Mac support coming soon. At launch, it works only with eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards.

Which credit cards work with Apple Pay in India?

Only Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards; not necessarily every Axis card, so check in the Wallet app. RuPay cards and cards from other banks, including HDFC, ICICI and SBI Card, aren't supported yet.

Does Apple Pay work with UPI?

No. UPI and Apple Pay are separate. You can still use UPI apps on your iPhone, including with a RuPay credit card linked to UPI, but those payments don't go through Apple Pay.

When will HDFC, ICICI and SBI Card support Apple Pay?

No date has been announced yet. Apple says more banks will be added over time. Reports mention talks with HDFC and ICICI, but no bank other than Axis has confirmed support as of 9 October 2026.

Do I earn credit card rewards when I pay with Apple Pay?

Yes. Apple says you keep earning the rewards and benefits your card offers. The rewards come from your card's terms, not from Apple Pay.

Which iPhone do I need for Apple Pay in India?

An iPhone XR or later running iOS 18 or later. For Apple Watch, you need Series 6 or later on watchOS 11 or later, paired with an iPhone XR or later.

Is Apple Pay safe to use?

Apple Pay doesn't store your card number on the device or on Apple's servers, and doesn't share it with merchants. Each card gets an encrypted device account number (a token) stored in the iPhone's Secure Element. If you lose your phone, you can suspend payments from it using Find My.

Where can I check which card gives the best offers?

Monzy's live credit card offers page collects current bank offers in one place, filterable by bank and offer type. Use it to decide which card to put in Apple Wallet, or which one to tap or scan with.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and doesn't constitute financial advice. Details are based on Apple's announcement of 30 September 2026 and news reports up to 9 October 2026. Apple and the banks can add or change support at any time, so check the Wallet app and your bank's website for the latest.