Mastercard, Visa in talks for Apple Pay debut in India

January 21, 2026 10:56 am
The exchange for the debt economy
Source: site

Apple Pay, always ready to hand for payment

Apple is in early-stage talks with Mastercard and Visa to finally bring Apple Pay to India, with an initial launch targeted around late 2026, subject to regulatory and commercial approvals. The first phase is expected to focus on card-based contactless “tap‑to‑pay” using Indian-issued Mastercard and Visa cards on iPhone and other Apple devices, with possible UPI integration only in later phases.​

What is being discussed

  • Apple is negotiating with global card networks Mastercard and Visa, as well as Indian card issuers, to enable storage of locally issued credit and debit cards in Apple Wallet for in-store NFC payments.​

  • The company is simultaneously engaging with Indian regulators, including the Reserve Bank of India and payments authorities, to secure approvals for operating Apple Pay in the country.​

Expected launch timeline

  • Multiple reports indicate Apple is aiming for an India rollout by the end of calendar year 2026, although this depends on regulatory clearance and final commercial terms.​

  • For now, Indian-issued cards still cannot be added to Apple Wallet, so domestic Apple Pay use is not yet available despite these talks.​

How Apple Pay may work in India

  • The initial offering is expected to be card-based contactless payments: users would add their Mastercard or Visa cards to Apple Wallet and pay by tapping iPhone or Apple Watch at NFC-enabled PoS terminals.​

  • Apple is not expected to seek a UPI Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP) licence in the first phase, meaning UPI integration, if it comes, will likely arrive later through a separate framework.​

Market context

  • India is already one of Apple’s fastest-growing iPhone markets, with a rising installed base that makes services like Apple Pay more viable.​

  • The move will position Apple Pay against entrenched UPI apps such as Google Pay and PhonePe, with differentiation likely coming from tight iOS integration, privacy features, and seamless NFC card payments rather than QR-first flows.​

© Copyright 2026 Credit and Collection News

Privacy Policy