Apple Pay India Launch Could Happen as Soon as September 2026

Apple Pay could finally launch in India later this year, with Apple reportedly preparing to enter the country’s digital payments market around late September or October 2026. The service is expected to begin with credit card support, while UPI integration is unlikely to be available when Apple Pay first arrives.



Business Standard reports that Apple is holding discussions with major card-issuing banks as part of its launch preparations. The company is reportedly looking to support cards running on networks such as Visa and Mastercard, which would let users add eligible cards to Apple Wallet and make contactless payments at supported terminals.



Apple Pay could start with credit card payments



Users would be able to make payments through NFC using an iPhone or iPad at compatible point-of-sale terminals. This approach would give Apple Pay an immediate entry into India’s premium credit card market, where contactless card payments have continued to grow alongside UPI.



The report says Apple is also negotiating transaction fees with banks. Apple is reportedly seeking between 15 and 20 basis points per transaction, while some banks are pushing for a lower rate of around 10 basis points. These fees would reportedly come from banks’ interchange revenue and would not be charged directly to customers or merchants.



UPI support is not expected at launch because Apple would need approval from the National Payments Corporation of India and a sponsor bank before adding that payment system.



Pine Labs CEO Amrish Rau has also said Apple Pay is expected to enter India before the end of 2026. Apple has not confirmed the launch plans, timeline, supported banks, or payment features, so the reported September or October window remains unofficial.