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Apple Pay has expanded its reach in India through a new collaboration with PayU, bringing tap-to-pay functionality to a wider network of retailers. This follows the initial launch of Apple Pay in India in partnership with Axis Bank.
PayU Integration Enables Wider Acceptance
PayU’s integration allows merchants using its payment services – including those with compatible payment scanners – to accept Apple Pay transactions from customers. This expands access to Apple Pay for “lakhs” of users in India, according to the announcement.
Eligible Devices
Apple has confirmed compatibility with a broad range of its devices. iPhones with Face ID or Touch ID are supported, with the exception of the iPhone 5s. All iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad, and iPad Mini models featuring either Touch ID or Face ID also work with the service. Apple has not yet released a list of eligible Apple Watch models, but says support is coming soon. All Apple Mac models equipped with Touch ID will also support Apple Pay in India.
Security Features
Apple emphasizes the security of Apple Pay, which uses a device-specific, unique account number instead of sharing actual credit or debit card details. Transactions are authenticated via Face ID, Touch ID, device passcode, or a one-time dynamic security code. The system stores payment information on a secure chip designed to protect confidential data.
Setting Up Apple Pay
To use Apple Pay, users need to add an eligible Axis Bank card to the Apple Pay app and follow the on-screen instructions. The setup process must be repeated on each device.
Future Possibilities
According to Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, Apple may explore integrating with India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in the future, potentially expanding UPI’s reach globally. Apple has also launched a device leasing program called Apple Upgrade in some markets, and may bring this service to India as well.
