Apple Pay Set for India Debut by Year-End: Tap-to-Pay Revolution Coming Soon

• Apple Pay, the contactless payment service, is reportedly preparing for its launch in India by the end of 2026.
• The service will allow users to make payments by tapping their iPhone or Apple Watch at NFC-compatible terminals.
• Apple is currently in discussions with Indian regulators, banks, and card networks to finalize arrangements and secure clearances.
• Apple Pay aims to enhance loyalty among its growing premium customer base in India, a market where iPhone shipments hit a record 5 million units in Q3 2025.
• It will face stiff competition from established players like Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm, which dominate India's digital payments ecosystem, especially through UPI.

Why It Matters: Apple Pay is expected to launch in India by late 2026, offering tap-to-pay convenience to Apple users.