Apple is in discussions with various Indian lenders and global card networks with the aim of launching its payment service in India. The company targets mid-2026 for this launch, according to a Bloomberg report.

These talks include partnerships with ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, and Axis Bank, alongside Mastercard and Visa, as reported by individuals familiar with the matter. However, the timeline is subject to change.

Integration of UPI and Biometric Authentication

Apple Pay in India is expected to incorporate the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) alongside card-based transactions. UPI is a real-time interbank transfer system managed by the National Payments Corporation of India, which has become the primary platform for digital payments in the country with millions of monthly transactions.

Historically, digital payments in India have relied on one-time passwords sent via text message or PIN-based authentication. However, in late 2025, India’s central bank allowed biometric authentication methods, such as fingerprint and facial recognition, for digital payments. Apple Pay, which leverages Face ID and Touch ID to authorize tap-to-pay transactions both physically and through apps and websites, is well-suited to operate within this new regulatory environment.

A Competitive and Fast-Growing Market

India’s digital payments market stands out as one of the most dynamic globally, supported by a large user base of smartphones, affordable mobile data access, and public digital infrastructure like UPI. Currently, the market is dominated by services from Google Pay (under Alphabet), PhonePe (controlled by Walmart), Amazon Pay, and domestic players such as Paytm.

Apple’s potential entry would represent a significant expansion of its payments presence in a high-growth emerging market. The company has been gradually extending the reach of Apple Pay across regions over recent years. Additionally, Visa recently introduced support allowing eligible Chinese cardholders to add their Visa cards from participating banks and use Apple Pay for purchases at overseas merchants that accept Visa.

The reported negotiations indicate that Apple is preparing for a market entry which involves integrating with local payment infrastructure, complying with regulatory requirements, and forming agreements with Indian banking institutions. The mid-2026 target remains contingent on the progress of these negotiations.