Apple users in India may soon get access to Apple Pay, the company’s digital payment service.
According to reports, Apple could launch the service in India by the end of September or in October.
However, there is an important catch.
The initial version of Apple Pay may not support UPI.
Instead, users are expected to be able to add and use Visa and Mastercard credit cards through Apple Wallet.
This means iPhone users could make contactless payments with their supported credit cards, but they may not be able to make UPI payments through Apple Pay at launch.
Why Won’t Apple Pay Support UPI Initially?
Many people were expecting Apple Pay to launch in India with UPI support, similar to how apps such as PhonePe, Google Pay and Paytm allow users to make UPI payments.
However, reports suggest that Apple still needs the necessary approval from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and would also need to partner with a bank to offer UPI services.
For now, it appears that these requirements have not been completed.
The launch could still be important for Apple’s business in India.
Apple is reportedly in discussions with major credit card-issuing banks about the service and how transaction revenue will be shared.
The company is also looking to strengthen its position in India’s premium credit card segment.
How Will Apple Pay Work?
If the service launches as reported, users will be able to add their eligible credit cards to the Apple Wallet on their iPhones.
At a shop, they can use the iPhone to make a contactless payment at a POS machine.
The payment will use NFC technology, allowing users to pay without physically swiping or inserting the card.
However, QR code payments are not expected to be available initially.
Could Apple Pay Challenge PhonePe and Google Pay?
The arrival of Apple Pay could give India’s digital payments market another major player.
Apple users have been waiting for the service, and its launch could make credit card payments more convenient for iPhone users.
However, the bigger impact could come if UPI support is added later.
If Apple Pay eventually supports UPI, it could compete more directly with popular apps such as PhonePe, Google Pay and Paytm, especially among iPhone users.
For now, Apple Pay’s India launch is expected to focus mainly on Visa and Mastercard credit card payments, while UPI support could come at a later stage.
