Axis Bank Launches Apple Pay in India with Initial Credit Card Limitations

After more than a decade of waiting, Apple Pay has finally launched in India through a partnership with Axis Bank. The service first debuted in the United States in 2014 and has since expanded to dozens of markets worldwide.

The initial rollout only supports eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards, leaving out cards on India's domestic RuPay network and Unified Payments Interface (UPI). This limitation is significant because UPI accounts for 84% of India's digital payment volumes, according to a 2025 International Monetary Fund report.

Axis Bank is the first Indian bank to offer Apple Pay, with customers able to add their eligible credit cards through the Axis Bank mobile app or Apple Wallet. They can then use Apple Pay to make purchases in stores, apps, and online using supported Apple devices.