Apple’s long-awaited push to bring Apple Pay to India appears to be gaining momentum, with fresh reports suggesting the company is actively working with local partners to enable the service in the country. While there is still no official launch date, industry signals indicate progress behind the scenes.
The biggest hurdle for Apple Pay in India has always been the country’s unique digital payments ecosystem, which is heavily dominated by UPI (Unified Payments Interface). Unlike markets where Apple Pay simply integrates with card networks, India requires deeper cooperation with regulators and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). Recent reports suggest Apple has been in ongoing discussions to support UPI-based payments within Apple Pay, which would be critical for any successful rollout.
Sources familiar with the matter indicate Apple is exploring partnerships with major Indian banks and payment networks to ensure compliance with local rules. This mirrors Apple’s strategy in other complex markets, where it adapts Apple Pay to local infrastructure rather than relying solely on traditional NFC card payments.
If launched, Apple Pay in India would likely support:
- UPI payments through Apple Pay
- NFC tap-to-pay where available
- Integration with Wallet on iPhone and Apple Watch
- Support for major Indian banks at launch
However, challenges remain. India’s payments space is already crowded with strong incumbents like Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm, all deeply embedded in the UPI ecosystem. Apple will need a compelling user experience and broad bank support to gain meaningful traction.
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