Apple Pay is now available in India for users of iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, with support for Mac expected to launch soon. Upon launch, the service supports Visa and Mastercard credit cards issued by Axis Bank.
Customers who possess credit cards from Axis Bank can add them to Apple Pay and use them for payments both in stores and online across India, as well as at any point accepting transactions via NFC technology.
Apple has announced that users will be able to pay for purchases in stores, applications, and on the internet without needing to enter PIN codes or use one-time passwords (OTPs) when checking out.
Jennifer Bailey, Vice President of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, noted that India represents a dynamic and tech-savvy population that continues to embrace a cashless future while demanding the highest standards of privacy and security. She added that Apple is pleased to introduce Apple Pay to Indian users.
According to Bailey, Apple Pay allows for in-store payments by tapping the device without additional apps, PINs, or OTPs, as well as making online payments without repeatedly entering payment details.
Amitabh Chaudhry, Managing Director and CEO of Axis Bank, stated that the introduction of Apple Pay will provide the bank's customers with greater opportunities and flexibility within the Mastercard and Visa networks.
How can customers set up and use Apple Pay?
A suitable card can be added to Apple Wallet through the latest version of the Axis Bank application. Alternatively, the user can open the Wallet app on iPhone, tap the plus icon, and follow the instructions to add the card.
For purchases in physical stores, it is sufficient to double-press the side button or the Home button, authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID, or the device passcode (if required), and hold the iPhone or Apple Watch near the contactless reader.
Apple Pay functions for in-store purchases on iPhone or Apple Watch even without an internet or cellular connection. The service uses the device's Near Field Communication (NFC) chip to communicate with the payment terminal. Note that the purchase may not appear in the transaction history until the device reconnects to the internet or cellular network.
Users can also make purchases through Apple Pay on iPhone and iPad in apps or on websites; support for Mac is expected soon. Furthermore, Apple Pay works in third-party browsers used by participating merchants. The customer selects Apple Pay during checkout, scans the QR code with the iPhone, reviews the payment and order details, and then confirms the purchase.
When using Apple Pay, customers continue to receive rewards and benefits associated with their cards.
How does Apple Pay secure transactions?
Apple asserts that actual card numbers are not stored on the device itself or on the company's servers, and the company does not share them with merchants. Instead, a unique device account number is assigned, which is encrypted and stored in the Secure Element—a certified chip designed to store payment information on the device.
Apple states that it does not retain transactional information that could be linked to a specific user. In case of losing or stealing an iPhone, users can utilize the 'Find My iPhone' app to locate or lock the device, or suspend payments from it.
Gautam Aggarwal, President of Mastercard for India and South Asia, reported that transactions made through Apple Pay are protected by Mastercard's tokenization technology, where a unique cryptographically secured token is used for each operation.
Suresh Sethi, Group Manager for Visa for India and South Asia, noted that the launch combines Apple's consumer experience with Visa's network and tokenization capabilities.
Apple does not charge users a fee for purchases made through Apple Pay in stores, online, or in apps. However, card issuers may apply their standard fees or commissions. Apple Pay also does not impose limits on the number of transactions a user can make.
Where will Apple Pay be accepted in India?
At the time of launch, Apple Pay will be accepted by millions of merchants across India, including Apple Stores, as well as services such as Blinkit, Chaayos, Comet, Croma, Interflora, Ixigo, Le15 Patisserie, Reliance brands, Tata 1mg, and Zomato.
Apple collaborated with payment service providers such as Cashfree, JusPay, Mswipe, Paytm, PayU, Pine Labs, Razorpay, and Worldline to integrate Apple Pay into their merchant networks in India.
Additionally, Apple Pay can be used abroad wherever contactless payments are accepted, provided there is support from the user's bank and any fees the bank may charge for international use.
The service is available in over 90 countries and regions and works with more than 11,000 banking and network partners worldwide. To use it, an iPhone XR or later model with iOS 18 or newer, and an Apple Watch Series 6 or later with watchOS 11 or newer, paired with an iPhone XR or later model, is required.
