Apple Pay could finally launch in India by October, according to a new report, giving iPhone users in the country access to Apple’s mobile payment service. The initial rollout is expected to support major card networks including Visa and Mastercard.
However, Apple Pay is not expected to support India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) at launch, which could limit the service’s usefulness compared with existing payment options in the country.
Apple Pay May Arrive in India This October
According to Business Standard, citing people familiar with the matter, Apple is targeting an October launch for Apple Pay in India.
The service is expected to support major credit card networks such as Visa and Mastercard. This would allow users to add eligible cards to Apple Wallet and use Apple Pay for supported contactless payments.
Apple has not officially announced an October launch date, so the timing could still change.
UPI support is reportedly not part of the initial rollout. Apple would need clearance from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and a partnership with a sponsor bank to route UPI transactions through Apple Pay. Negotiations are said to be ongoing.
That could be a significant limitation in India, where UPI is deeply integrated into everyday digital payments and services such as Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm are widely used.
Apple Pay Could Launch Without UPI Support
Apple’s reported plans come as India becomes an increasingly important market for the company.
Apple has expanded its presence in the country through retail stores, manufacturing, and growing iPhone sales. The company opened its first Apple Stores in India in 2023, while the country has also become an increasingly important manufacturing hub as Apple diversifies production beyond China.
Apple has also been working more closely with Indian banks and financial institutions. Bringing Apple Pay to the country would add another major part to that expansion, giving Apple a larger role in India’s growing digital economy.
The lack of UPI support could make the initial Apple Pay rollout less competitive with existing payment services. If Apple can eventually secure the necessary approvals and partnerships, adding UPI could make the service considerably more useful for Indian users.
Apple Has Been Preparing for an India Launch
Apple’s plans for India have been developing for several months. Bloomberg reported in February that Apple was in talks with major Indian banks as it worked toward bringing Apple Pay to the country.
The reported October target would mark a major expansion for Apple’s payments platform, but Apple has not publicly confirmed the launch date or the payment features that will be available when the service arrives.
For now, Indian users will have to wait for an official announcement to see whether Apple can bring Apple Pay to the country by October and when UPI support might follow.
