# Apple Pay finally launches in India with Axis Bank

> After years of delays, Apple is bringing its digital wallet to one of the world's largest economies through a partnership with Mumbai-based Axis Bank.
- Title: Apple Pay finally launches in India with Axis Bank · Pymnts
- Summary: After years of delays, Apple is bringing its digital wallet to one of the world's largest economies through a partnership with Mumbai-based Axis Bank. Apple…
- Keywords: apple pay, axis bank, india, digital payments, mobile wallet, apple expansion, fintech partnership, business, finance, Apple, Pay, finally
- Source: Pymnts — https://pymnts.com/apple/2026/apple-teams-with-axis-bank-for-long-awaited-apple-pay-debut-in-india
- Author: PYMNTS
- Published: 2026-09-18T19:00:24+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: apple pay, axis bank, india, digital payments, mobile wallet, apple expansion, fintech partnership, business, finance
## Apple Pay arrives in India
Apple is launching Apple Pay in India through a partnership with Axis Bank, Reuters reported Friday. Axis Bank is the first Indian lender to partner with Apple on the service.

> Axis Bank is the first lender in India to partner with Apple on Apple Pay
## Long wait for major market
India is one of the few major economies where Apple Pay was not available. Apple had been working on the launch since at least January, holding talks with card networks and seeking regulatory approval.
## More banks coming soon
Apple plans to add more lenders to the Apple Pay network in India over time, following the same expansion strategy it has used in other markets.
## India's digital wallet boom
India has embraced digital payments, with 55% of consumers making their most recent retail purchase with a digital wallet. Sixty-five percent used digital wallets for online purchases.

> 55% of consumers in India said they made their most recent retail purchase with a digital wallet
## Antitrust backdrop
Apple agreed in June to provide financial information to India's competition regulator as part of an antitrust investigation into its App Store policies. The probe stems from 2021 complaints by Indian startups.
## Key takeaway

Apple Pay is entering India through Axis Bank, marking the company's arrival in a major economy where digital payments are already widely adopted by consumers.