Why Apple Pay Is Not Working In India?

What is Apple Pay?

Apple Pay is a mobile payment and digital wallet service developed by Apple Inc. It allows users to make payments in person, in iOS apps, and on the web using their iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, or Mac.

To use Apple Pay, a user first adds their credit or debit card information to the Wallet app on their device. When making a payment, the user simply holds their device near a contactless reader or enters their card information in the app or on the web. Authentication is done through Face ID, Touch ID, or the user's device passcode.

Apple Pay also supports person-to-person payments through the Messages app, where users can send and receive money using their Apple Pay Cash card. Apple Pay is accepted at millions of locations worldwide and is compatible with most major credit and debit cards.

3 Major Reasons Why Apple Pay is not available in India

Apple had earlier announced that Apple Pay would be UPI-based and would be providing contactless payment services across the country. However, there are certain regulatory roadblocks in India that made Apple take a step back, and the technology company is waiting to see how these roadblocks would shape up. Apple Pay is a popular mobile payment and digital wallet service developed by Apple Inc. that is available in several countries worldwide. However, as of now, Apple Pay is not available in India. There are several reasons why this might be the case, and I will discuss three of the major reasons in this answer.

1. Regulatory challenges

One of the biggest challenges for Apple Pay in India is the regulatory environment. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the country's central bank, has strict regulations in place for mobile payments and digital wallets. These regulations include requirements for transaction security, data localization, and interoperability. Apple has been in discussions with the RBI and other stakeholders in India to address these regulatory concerns, but as of yet, they have not been able to come to an agreement that would allow Apple Pay to launch in the country.

2. Competition 

Another reason why Apple Pay is not available in India is because of the highly competitive mobile payment market in the country. There are several established players in the market, including Paytm, Google Pay, PhonePe, and Amazon Pay. These players have been able to establish a strong user base in the country and offer a range of features and services, including bill payments, merchant payments, and person-to-person payments. It may be challenging for Apple to compete with these established players, especially without a local presence in the country.

3. Infrastructure challenges

Finally, Apple Pay may not be available in India due to infrastructure challenges. India's digital payments infrastructure is still developing, and there are several challenges that need to be addressed before a service like Apple Pay can be launched in the country. For example, there are still many merchants in India who do not accept digital payments, and many consumers do not have access to smartphones or reliable internet connections. In addition, there are issues with connectivity and interoperability between different payment systems, which can make it challenging for new players to enter the market.

Final thoughts

In conclusion, there are several reasons why Apple Pay is not available in India. Regulatory challenges, competition from established players, and infrastructure challenges are some of the major factors that may be contributing to this. However, as India's digital payments infrastructure continues to develop, and as Apple continues to work with regulators and other stakeholders, it is possible that we may see Apple Pay launching in India in the future.