Summary
- Apple Pay will reportedly launch in India sometime later this year, with a wider rollout likely by end-2026.
- The initial rollout will focus on NFC-based tap-to-pay card transactions.
- UPI support is unlikely at launch, meaning Apple Pay will face stiff competition from Google Pay and Samsung Pay.
Google Pay and Samsung Pay will soon have a troubling competitor as Apple is finally gearing up to bring Apple Pay to India. According to a Business Standard report, the brand is expected to make its market entry later this year.
Apple Pay to arrive in India by the end of 2026
After years of regulatory and commercial hurdles, Apple has reportedly begun active discussions with Indian banks, card issuers, payment networks and regulators to pave the way for the service. At present, Indian users cannot add domestic debit or credit cards to Apple Wallet, a limitation Apple aims to address with the launch.
As per the report, the initial phase of Apple Pay in India is expected to focus on NFC-based contactless card payments, allowing users to make tap-to-pay transactions at supported terminals. Negotiations are said to be underway around fee structures and backend integrations, which remain key to final approvals.
However, UPI integration is said to be unlikely at launch. While UPI dominates India's digital payments ecosystem, Apple is not expected to apply for third-party app provider approval immediately due to regulatory complexity. Any UPI support could arrive later through separate partnerships or a framework.
As of Q3 2025, the iPhone 16 was the best-selling smartphone in the world and the Indian market played a huge role in those sales. So, Apple Pay's India push does not come as much of a surprise, as the brand continues to scale its presence in the country.
While the Apple Pay India launch will understandably strengthen the brand's ecosystem play, it will be interesting to see how it fares against the likes of Google Pay, which is already deeply entrenched in the country.
Source
Business Standard
