Apple Pay May Finally Launch in India by the End of 2026

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After years of waiting, Apple Pay may finally be on track to arrive in India. According to a Business Standard report, Apple is working behind the scenes with banks, regulators, and card networks to launch the service in the country by the end of 2026.

Apple is Reportedly Working With Banks and Regulators

The report claims Apple is already coordinating with Indian banks, regulators, and major card networks to make Apple Pay available in the country. As with any Apple Pay expansion, approvals and back-end partnerships will decide the timeline.

Tap to Pay on iPhone May Also Arrive Alongside Apple Pay

Once Apple Pay launches, Apple is also expected to introduce Tap to Pay on iPhone in India. This feature allows an iPhone to accept contactless payments directly via NFC, enabling businesses to take payments without a separate card machine in supported scenarios.

However, the report mentions that Apple will still need to negotiate fees with major card issuers to enable Apple Pay’s payment gateway.

UPI is the Real Challenge, and Apple May Avoid It for Now

While India’s digital payments ecosystem is dominated by UPI, Apple may not pursue the third-party app provider approvals needed to integrate with UPI in the near term. Instead, the initial Apple Pay rollout could be more card-based, as it does in other global markets.

Apple Pay has already been used indirectly in India for international payments. Last year, Cashfree Payments and Razorpay integrated Apple Pay to support international payments for Indian merchants.

Apple Pay is Already Live in 89 Markets

Apple Pay launched more than a decade ago and is currently available in 89 markets worldwide, making India one of the most prominent missing regions.

Why This Timing Makes Sense for Apple

The potential launch aligns with Apple’s momentum in India. The company reportedly recorded its highest quarterly shipments in the country in Q3 2025, hitting 5 million units and reaching fourth place in market rankings for the first time, per IDC figures.

Do you want Apple Pay in India, or does UPI already cover everything you need? Let us know in the comments.

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