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Tezzbuzz Desk – Amidst the long-rumored launch of Apple Pay in India, new information has now emerged regarding its launch. According to reports, Apple may launch its digital payment service in India by the end of September or October 2026. The service is expected to initially focus on credit card payments, while UPI may not be included in the initial phase.

iPhone users in India have been waiting for Apple Pay for a long time. Now, there’s growing hope that this wait will end. According to reports, Apple is preparing to launch Apple Pay in India and is in discussions with banks and card networks. However, the company has not yet officially confirmed a launch date.

Payment will be done with just a tap from iPhone

Once Apple Pay arrives in India, users will be able to add their supported credit cards to Apple Wallet. At stores that support contactless card payments, users can simply take their iPhone or Apple Watch to a POS machine to make the payment. NFC, or Near Field Communication, will be used for payments. The user won’t need to pull out their card or enter their card number each time. Apple Pay stores card information securely, and payments are authorized using the device’s security features.

Initially, the focus will be on Visa and Mastercard.

According to reports, the initial version of Apple Pay in India may support credit cards from the Visa and Mastercard networks. This means that to make payments through Apple Pay, users will need a card that is supported by the respective bank and Apple’s service. This means that simply having an iPhone won’t be enough. Bank and card compatibility will also be required to use Apple Pay.

You may have to wait for UPI

The biggest discussion surrounding Apple Pay’s India launch is regarding UPI. The initial launch is considered unlikely to include UPI payments. To integrate UPI in India, Apple will need to work with the NPCI and banking systems. Therefore, it’s believed the company may launch a card-based Tap-to-Pay service first and then work on incorporating UPI.

Currently, the facility of payments through UPI is available in Apple’s existing services on Apple’s Indian website, but this is different from the launch of Apple Pay’s NFC-based card payments in India.

Negotiations between Apple and banks on fees

The biggest issue standing in the way of Apple Pay’s entry into India is reportedly fees. According to reports, discussions have taken place between Apple and Indian banks regarding the fees to be charged per transaction. Apple reportedly wants a share of around 15 to 20 basis points on each card transaction, while some major banks are insisting on lower fees. One basis point equals 0.01 percent. This has been one of the major issues impacting Apple Pay’s launch timeline in India.

Apple Pay could increase the use of contactless payments

UPI has become the largest medium for digital payments in India, but Apple Pay could bring a different experience for credit card users. Specifically, iPhone and Apple Watch users will be able to make payments via NFC without pulling out a physical card. Apple Pay’s unique feature is its direct integration with Apple devices. The company has already offered Apple Pay with iPhones, Apple Watches, and other Apple devices in other markets.

Still waiting for the official announcement

Apple Pay is reported to launch in India in late September or October 2026, but Apple hasn’t announced an official launch date. According to reports from May 2026, Apple’s India launch plans were impacted by negotiations with banking partners regarding commissions.

If Apple Pay launches in India as scheduled, it will be a significant change, especially for iPhone and Apple Watch users. However, its reach may initially be limited primarily to credit card users due to the lack of UPI support.