Overview
- Multiple outlets report Apple is negotiating with ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank, as well as Mastercard and Visa, to enable the service in India.
- The initial deployment is expected to prioritize card-based contactless payments, with potential UPI support to follow subject to separate approvals.
- Sources indicate a target launch window around mid-2026, though the schedule remains fluid and contingent on regulatory clearances and commercial terms.
- The regulatory shift allowing fingerprint or facial recognition aligns with Apple Pay’s Face ID and Touch ID authentication for in-store, in-app and web payments.
- Apple has not commented on the talks, and bank, NPCI and card network representatives did not immediately respond, as the company advances a broader services push alongside growing retail and manufacturing in the country.