Apple Pay Launches In India, Partners With Axis Bank

Apple Pay has entered the Indian market with Axis Bank as its first banking partner. 

At launch, Apple Pay supports Visa and Mastercard credit cards issued by Axis Bank. The rollout will allow iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch users to make payments in apps, online and at contactless-enabled stores, with Mac support coming soon. 

Apple Pay allows users to make payments without repeatedly entering card, contact, shipping or billing details. For in-store payments, users can authenticate transactions via Face ID, Touch ID or their device passcode and tap their iPhone or Apple Watch at contactless payment terminals.

The company claims that the digital wallet service is safer than using a physical credit, debit, or prepaid card. It says that users’ identity isn’t shared with merchants or operators. 

It anticipates Apple Pay to expand rapidly in India, and claims that it is already accepted by millions of merchants across India. The list includes Apple Store physical locations, Blinkit, Chaayos, Comet, Croma, Interflora, ixigo, Le15 Patisserie, Reliance brands, Tata 1mg, Zomato, among others. The company said more merchants and apps will be added over time. 

“India is home to a dynamic and digitally savvy population that continues to embrace a cashless future while expecting the highest standards of security and privacy, and we’re so excited to bring Apple Pay to users in India today,” said Apple Pay and Apple Wallet vice president Jennifer Bailey. 

Beyond India, the service is available across more than 90 countries and regions where the service is available. Overall, it works with more than 11,000 bank and network partners worldwide. 

The service is being enabled across merchant networks through payment infrastructure players including Juspay, Cashfree, and PayU alongside other payment service providers.

Juspay said merchants on its network can add Apple Pay to their existing online payment flows without building a separate integration. The payment option is being rolled out across participating merchants in sectors including travel, entertainment, fashion, quick commerce and healthcare.

Similarly, PayU has also enabled Apple Pay across its merchant network in India, allowing businesses on its platform to offer Apple Pay as an additional checkout option without having to build a separate integration. 

Cashfree has similarly enabled Apple Pay for its Indian business customers, allowing them to offer the payment method across their checkout flows. Similarly, Cashfree has also enabled Apple Pay for its Indian merchant base, allowing businesses to offer the payment option to their customers. Notably, RuPay cards are not supported at launch.

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