Axis Bank brings Apple Pay to Mastercard, Visa credit card customers in India
Axis Bank becomes the first Indian bank to offer Apple Pay for Mastercard and Visa credit card holders, enabling seamless mobile payments.
In a major boost to India's digital payment landscape, Axis Bank has announced the launch of Apple Pay for its credit card holders. This move allows customers using both Mastercard and Visa networks to make seamless transactions using their Apple devices, marking a significant milestone in the country's fintech evolution.
With this rollout, Axis Bank has distinguished itself as the first Indian banking institution to offer Apple Pay services to its clientele. The integration aims to provide a more intuitive and flexible way for users to handle their daily transactions through the Apple ecosystem.
Seamless Payments Across Devices
The new service is designed to integrate deeply into the digital lives of users. Eligible customers can now utilize Apple Pay for various transaction types, including:
- In-store payments: Simply tapping their device at merchant locations.
- In-app purchases: Making quick payments within mobile applications.
- Online shopping: Streamlining the checkout process on websites.
Currently, the service supports the iPhone, Apple Watch, and iPad. While Mac support is not immediately available, the bank confirmed that it is expected to be introduced in the near future.
How to Get Started
Axis Bank has made the onboarding process straightforward for its Mastercard and Visa credit card holders. Users can add their cards to the Apple Wallet through two primary methods:
- Using the official Axis Bank Mobile Banking App.
- Adding the card details directly through the Apple Wallet interface.
Crucially, customers will not lose any existing perks; all rewards and benefits associated with their Axis Bank credit cards will continue to apply when using Apple Pay.
Advanced Security and Privacy Features
A primary concern with digital wallets is data security, which the bank and its partners have addressed through sophisticated technology. When a transaction occurs via Apple Pay, the actual credit card number is never stored on the device or shared with Apple or the merchant.
Instead, the system utilizes a Device Account Number. This unique, encrypted number is stored within a Secure Element—an industry-standard certified chip designed specifically to protect payment information from unauthorized access.
“Apple Pay makes everyday payments with a card easy, secure, and private — from simply tapping to pay in stores without an extra app, PIN, or OTP to checking out online without repeatedly entering payment information,” stated Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s Vice President of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet.
Industry Perspectives on the Launch
The launch has been welcomed by major global payment networks. Leaders from Mastercard and Visa highlighted the importance of tokenization, a process that replaces sensitive card details with unique, cryptographically secured tokens to prevent fraud.
Amitabh Chaudhry, MD & CEO of Axis Bank, noted that the bank is at a "significant inflection point" regarding technology and changing customer expectations. He emphasized that the introduction of Apple Pay brings greater choice and flexibility to credit card users as payments become increasingly embedded in everyday life.