Apple Pay launches in India, starting with Axis Bank credit cards
Business Today reports Apple Pay became available on September 30 for in-store and online payments in India, initially supporting Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards. Named launch merchants include Blinkit, Croma, Tata 1mg and Zomato.
The channel move
Apple Pay requires iOS 18 or later on supported iPhones for its India launch, initially serving Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards. Launch merchants include Blinkit, Croma, Reliance brands, Tata 1mg and Zomato.
Also reported by ET Small Business (economictimes.indiatimes.com)
Channel facts
- thousands of in-store and online merchants across India
- iOS 18 or later
- Series 6 or later
- watchOS 11 or later
What it means for online and offline
Assess Apple Pay support across store and online checkouts, prioritizing rollout where eligible Apple-device users with Axis Bank credit cards represent meaningful demand.
Signals to track
- Official Apple and Axis confirmation of availability, supported devices, eligible cards and transaction restrictions.
- Additional issuer support, especially expansion beyond Axis credit cards.
- Card provisioning followed by repeat transactions after introductory offers expire.
- Merchant evidence of incremental conversion or larger baskets versus simple migration from existing payment methods.
- Actual Apple Pay visibility and successful transactions across named merchants and physical checkout locations.
The counter-case
Even if the reported launch is confirmed, Apple Pay could remain a niche checkout feature rather than a meaningful omni-channel shift. Requiring both an eligible Apple device and an Axis Bank credit card sharply limits reach, while ubiquitous UPI payments already offer familiar checkout options. Early volume may simply migrate from existing card payments, with little incremental spending or merchant benefit. Named launch merchants alone do not demonstrate broad in-store acceptance.