Apple in Talks With Banks to Launch Apple Pay in India This Year
Source: MacRumors
Apple is in talks with major Indian banks as it prepares to introduce Apple Pay in the country, with a target launch around mid‑2026, according to Bloomberg.
Apple’s Plans for Apple Pay in India
Apple is reportedly negotiating with ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, and Axis Bank about bringing its mobile payment service to India. Earlier reports from Business Standard and The Times of India indicated that Apple Pay could go live in the Indian market before the end of the year.
Bank Discussions
- ICICI Bank – one of India’s largest private‑sector banks.
- HDFC Bank – another leading private‑sector lender.
- Axis Bank – a major commercial bank with a growing digital footprint.
Payment Network Partnerships
Apple is also coordinating with global payment networks Mastercard and Visa to ensure broad acceptance. The service is expected to integrate with India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), the state‑backed payments system that enables instant money transfers and bill payments.
Regulatory Environment
Late last year, the Reserve Bank of India approved new rules allowing biometric authentication methods such as Touch ID and Face ID for digital payments. Previously, Indian digital transactions relied primarily on one‑time passwords sent via SMS.
Market Context
- Apple Pay has been available for more than 10 years and is currently supported in 89 markets worldwide.
- In Q3 2025, Apple recorded its highest quarterly shipments in India—5 million units—reaching fourth place in the market for the first time (IDC data).
- Apple is expanding its retail presence, with a sixth store opening in Mumbai.
Tags: Apple Pay, Bloomberg, India