Zepto has added Apple Pay as a payment option to eligible users in India and so allow customers to complete orders in a much quicker manner. The Apple Pay integration enables Apple device users to pay for eligible Zepto orders without manually entering their card information in every transaction.
The introduction of Apple Pay comes as it expands its presence in Indian apps and online merchants. But it is not available for every Zepto customer yet. The only way to use Apple Pay is with a compatible Apple device and a supported payment card. Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards are available for Apple Pay in India right now.
For people who already have an eligible card added to Apple Wallet, the new option can make the checkout process more convenient. UPI and other existing payment methods on Zepto still exist, so Apple Pay is an additional payment option rather than a replacement for other digital payment options.
How To Use Apple Pay On Zepto
Eligible customers can select Apple Pay during the Zepto checkout process when the option is displayed. After selecting the payment method, the transaction can be authenticated directly on the Apple device.
Depending on the device used, authentication can take place via Face ID, Touch ID or device passcode. Once the transaction is authorised, payment is processed using the eligible card associated with Apple Wallet.
You can avoid entering card numbers, expiry dates, or other payment information again and again. From Apple’s perspective, the benefits of this are that the customer is likely to have a supported card in Wallet, so that online checkout can be simpler.
However, Apple Pay might not be available to all of the users or every payment. It may be available in the payment but the device, card and other eligibility is dependent on that payment.
Which Cards Support Apple Pay In India?
The current Apple Pay in India includes Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards. This means having an iPhone or another compatible Apple device alone is not enough to use the payment service.
Then users need to know if the Axis Bank card is on Apple Wallet and can be added. If the card is unsupported, Apple Pay may not be available even if the user's device meets the technical requirements.
The supported bank and card ecosystem could expand over time as Apple Pay becomes available for more Indian merchants and payment networks. So a customer should look through Apple's latest supported-card information before attempting to set up the service.
Which Apple Devices Can Use Apple Pay?
Apple Pay is available on a few Apple devices in India. On iPhone, the current requirement is an iPhone XR or newer model running iOS 18 or later.
Apple Watch users can also access the service on supported models. It works for the Apple Watch Series 6 and later when running watchOS 11 or later. Support for Mac is coming soon.
Device compatibility is only one part of the requirement. Users also need an eligible card and must have Apple Pay properly set up on their supported device.
What Happens When A Customer Pays?
For a Zepto purchase, the payment process takes place through the Apple Pay payment interface when the option is available. The customer chooses the payment method and authenticates the transaction via the security method supported by the device.
Apple Pay is designed to take the device-specific security process to a higher level and is not for the customer to give the merchant the physical card number for each transaction. This can be done by adding an additional layer between the user’s actual card information and the online merchant.
The same payment service can also be used for eligible contactless transactions at physical stores. In that case, an iPhone or Apple Watch can be authenticated and held near a compatible payment terminal.
Apple Pay Does Not Replace UPI On Zepto
The introduction of Apple Pay does not mean Zepto is moving away from UPI. India’s widely used UPI payment system is still available along with cards and other payment options.
Instead, Apple Pay is more for customers who already have compatible Apple devices and supported credit cards. A new checkout route for those customers is added without changing the payment options available for others.
This distinction is important as payment preferences differ considerably among Indian consumers. UPI is still the most important digital payment method, but card-based transactions remain relevant for customers who use credit cards for online purchases and rewards.
Why Apple Pay Is Coming To Zepto
The Zepto integration also comes as Apple Pay expands its presence on India's online and offline merchant landscape. Razorpay confirmed that Apple Pay is in place on its merchant network and that of partners such as Zepto.
For merchants, payment infrastructure integrations can enable new payment methods to be introduced without the need for a separate checkout system. And for consumers, it means Apple Pay becomes a distinct option when making an eligible purchase.
So the development reflects the increasing number of payment methods available to Indian online shoppers. Quick-commerce platforms are getting better at offering customers different payment options from UPI, cards, wallets, and other supported services in addition to their own wallets.
What Zepto Users Should Check Before Using Apple Pay
The customers who wish to use Apple Pay on Zepto need to be sure their Apple device is compatible. They also need to know that their payment card is supported and has been added to Apple Wallet.
If Apple Pay does not appear during checkout, it does not necessarily mean there is a problem with the Zepto account. The card, device, order, or transaction may not currently meet the requirement for the payment option.
For now, Apple Pay is still an option for Zepto customers. UPI, traditional card payments, and other options are available to pay for orders.
As Apple Pay expands to more Indian merchants and potentially more banks and cards, it will become more widely available. But for Zepto users with compatible Apple devices and Axis Bank credit cards, the payment option already provides another way to complete eligible quick-commerce purchases.
