Great news for iPhone users across India, Tech giant Apple is reportedly preparing to launch its popular digital wallet service, Apple Pay, in the country later this year. After years of waiting, Indian users will soon be able to make quick and contactless payments directly through their iPhones and Apple Watches.
However, there is a major detail to keep in mind. During the initial launch phase, Apple Pay will only support credit cards issued on international networks like Visa and Mastercard. This means the platform will not support India most popular digital payment system, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), at the start. For UPI support, Apple needs special approvals from the National Payments Corporation of India(NPCI) alongside a local partner bank.
Currently, Apple is in active discussions with major Indian banks to link their credit cards with the service. Once active, cardholders can simply tap their phone at store payment terminals instead of carrying physical plastic cards. However, banks may set certain eligibility criteria, meaning not every credit card holder will get instant access.
While the absence of UPI might disappoint many everyday users, the arrival of Apple Pay is still a huge win for premium digital transactions in India. iPhone fans can look forward to a faster, safer, and completely cashless shopping experience very soon.
