Apple Pay Launch In India Tipped For 2026: Will Rival Google Pay And UPI Apps

Last Updated:January 22, 2026, 07:25 IST

Apple Pay has been unavailable in India owing to multiple reasons but the iPhone demand could change that trend.

Apple Pay is the missing product from its India lineup

Apple fan boys could finally unlock one of its popular services in India this year. The Cupertino-based tech giant is finally planning to launch Apple Pay in the country, according to reports this week. The reports suggest that Apple is planning to hold discussions with card-based payment operators like Mastercard, Visa and even the Indian government for approvals. 

The details given in a Moneycontrol report, quoting Business Standard, suggests the company could bring Apple Pay in a phased manner where the initial launch will offer card-based contactless or tap-and-pay service from Apple. 

The talks are in progress with the authorities and the companies providing these services and the launch could happen by later this year. 

Tap-And-Pay On iPhone 

The report suggests Apple is unlikely to sign for a Google Pay-like UPI service in the country as its payment system operates in a different architecture. But more importantly, the company will have to support the cards available in India and make them link with the Apple Wallet to fully use the Apple Pay ecosystem in the country. 

Once the approvals come through, Apple Pay will work for iPhone users who can link their debit/credit cards to the wallet and simply tap-and-pay using the point of sale terminals you have across retail outlets in the country. 

Apple’s tap and pay feature is a lot like Samsung Pay that is available on Galaxy phones for users in many countries. You don’t need separate hardware as the phone itself acts as the terminal for payment. Similarly, tap and pay for iPhones negates the use of a card and supports contactless payment via NFC and gets better security with PIN authentication along with better privacy. 

The company has previously discussed plans to launch Apple Pay in India. It had also proposed the integration of Face ID for UPI authentication on iPhones, potentially adding an additional layer of security to transactions. Apple even explored the possibility of launching its ‌ Apple Card ‌as a co-branded credit card with HDFC Bank a few years back. 

So why is Apple Pay not available in India even today?

We don’t have a definite answer but looking at the importance of the market, it would be the right time for the tech giant to officially make its payment service available, of course, with the help of local banks and payment partners. India is one of the most popular regions with regards to digital payments thanks to UPI and Apple Pay has all the attributes to become a success in the country.

News tech Apple Pay Launch In India Tipped For 2026: Will Rival Google Pay And UPI Apps

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