Apple Pay Set for India Launch by 2026, Targets Digital Payments Market

• Apple Pay is reportedly close to launching in India, with a target of 2026, engaging with Mastercard, Visa, and seeking regulatory approvals.
• The initial phase will focus on card-based contactless payments via NFC, with UPI integration considered for later stages requiring separate approvals.
• Apple aims to leverage its growing iPhone user base in India, which saw record shipments and a 9-10% market share in 2025.
• Apple Pay will allow users to save credit/debit cards in Apple Wallet for tap-to-pay at PoS machines, competing with Samsung Wallet which already has UPI integration.
• Industry experts believe Apple Pay can succeed by emphasizing iOS integration, ease of use, and strong privacy, given India's familiarity with digital payments.

Why It Matters: Apple Pay is preparing for a phased launch in India by 2026, focusing on contactless payments.