Apple Pay has finally launched in India, giving iPhone users a new way to pay in stores, apps and on websites. But the service arrives with an important limitation: At launch, only eligible Axis Bank credit cards on the Visa and Mastercard networks can be added to Apple Pay. If you are wondering whether your card, device or usual payment method will work, here are 10 questions to answer before using Apple Pay in India.
At launch, Apple Pay supports Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards. Axis Bank is the first Indian bank to offer Apple Pay to its customers. Apple has also been in discussions with other major Indian banks, including HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank, but agreements had not been finalised at launch. Apple Pay’s initial India launch is card-based, rather than a replacement for UPI. Apple Pay is available in India on iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch at launch. At physical stores, the payment terminal must support contactless/NFC payments, and the merchant must accept the card and payment network being used. At launch, Apple lists merchants including Apple Store locations, Blinkit, Croma, Ixigo, Tata 1mg and Zomato, among others. More merchants and apps are expected to be added over time.
Apple says users can make purchases with eligible cards in stores, apps and online; a Reuters report said that UPI is not part of the initial Apple Pay offering. Apple says Mac support is coming soon. Apple says Apple Pay will work at participating merchants across India, including stores, apps and websites. Apple says Apple Pay transactions can be authenticated using Face ID, Touch ID or the device passcode, rather than requiring the card PIN or an OTP at checkout.
Apple Pay is available in more than 90 countries and regions, and works with more than 11,000 bank and network partners worldwide, according to Apple website.
