Apple Pay Set To Launch in India, Initiated Talks With Card Companies, Report

Apple is planning to provide its digital payment service in India by the end of the year 2026, as per the reports. The company is in talks with Mastercard and Visa. Apple Pay, the iPhone manufacturer’s elegant contactless payment method, is preparing for its much anticipated introduction in India later this year. Pending regulatory clearances and the completion of commercial agreements, the iPhone manufacturer intends for a first launch during the current calendar year, according to the media reports highlighted.

To complete commercial agreements and obtain the necessary approvals, Apple is actively negotiating with authorities, banks and card networks, according to a Business Standard report. The service may launch by the end of 2026 if everything goes according to plan, representing a significant advancement in Apple’s strategy to broaden its financial services footprint beyond Western markets.

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Customers may complete a transaction by just tapping their iPhone or Apple Watch at a supported point-of-sale terminal using near-field communication (NFC). No swiping, typing or wallet digging is necessary.

Additionally, the timing aligns with Apple’s rising market share in India’s smartphone industry. With a volume market share of between 9 and 10%, placing it among the top five smartphone brands in India, the company reported its highest ever shipments in the nation in 2025.