Introduction
Mobile payments have become a normal part of everyday shopping. Whether buying groceries, clothing, or household essentials, more people rely on contactless payment systems for fast, secure checkout. Apple Pay has grown into one of the most widely used mobile wallets, leading shoppers to ask an important question: Does Walmart take Apple Pay?
While many major retailers have adopted tap-to-pay technology, Walmart follows a different payment approach. Understanding how Walmart handles mobile payments can help shoppers plan ahead and avoid surprises at checkout.
Does Walmart Accept Apple Pay?
The simple and straightforward answer is no — Walmart does not accept Apple Pay in its stores. This applies to all in-store checkout locations, including:
- Self-checkout kiosks
- Regular cashier lanes
- Walmart Supercenters
- Neighborhood Markets
- Walmart fuel stations
Even if you have Apple Pay set up on your iPhone, Apple Watch, or other Apple device, you cannot use the tap-to-pay feature inside Walmart stores.
Why Walmart Doesn’t Use Apple Pay
Walmart has chosen not to support Apple Pay because the company promotes its own mobile payment system called Walmart Pay. Instead of using NFC (near-field communication) technology like Apple Pay, Walmart Pay uses QR codes scanned through the Walmart app.
Here are the main reasons Walmart sticks with its own system:
1. Full Control Over the Payment Process
By using an in-house payment feature, Walmart keeps all payment processing within its own digital ecosystem. This allows the retailer to manage receipts, transactions, customer behavior, and in-app features without relying on third-party technology.
2. Avoiding Additional Processing Technology
Supporting NFC payments like Apple Pay may require additional hardware or transaction agreements. Walmart’s QR-based system avoids these extra steps and keeps the process uniform across all stores.
3. Integration With the Walmart App
Walmart Pay connects directly with digital receipts, in-app shopping lists, order history, and loyalty-related features. This keeps customers inside the Walmart app rather than sending them to an outside service.
What You Can Use Instead of Apple Pay
Even though Walmart does not accept Apple Pay, shoppers still have multiple payment options. These include:
- Debit cards
- Credit cards
- Prepaid cards
- Walmart gift cards
- EBT (in eligible departments)
- Cash
- Walmart Pay in the Walmart app
The key alternative for mobile-focused shoppers is Walmart Pay. While it isn’t the same as Apple Pay, it does allow for digital and contactless-style checkout.
How Walmart Pay Works
Walmart Pay operates inside the Walmart app and allows you to pay securely without using a physical card. Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Download the Walmart App
If you don’t already have it, install the Walmart app from the App Store.
Step 2: Add Your Preferred Payment Method
This can include:
- Credit card
- Debit card
- Walmart gift card
Even if you use the same card stored in your Apple Wallet, it must be added separately inside the Walmart app.
Step 3: Open Walmart Pay at Checkout
Once your items are scanned, open the Walmart Pay feature inside the app.
Step 4: Scan the QR Code
At the register, scan the QR code displayed on the payment screen. The payment will process instantly through your Walmart Pay default card.
This system offers a similar level of convenience to mobile payments, even though it doesn’t use Apple Pay’s tap-to-pay technology.
Can You Use Apple Card at Walmart?
You can use an Apple Card at Walmart — but not through Apple Pay.
The Apple Card works at Walmart only in these forms:
- Physical titanium Apple Card
- Apple Card number entered manually
- Apple Card stored inside Walmart Pay
Since the store doesn’t allow Apple Pay transactions, using the physical card or storing it in the Walmart app are the only options.
Does Walmart Accept Other Mobile Wallets?
Walmart does not support other tap-to-pay mobile wallets either. This includes:
- Google Pay
- Samsung Pay
- Contactless credit cards using NFC
Walmart applies the same policy consistently across all stores, encouraging shoppers to use Walmart Pay instead of third-party wallets.
What About Online Purchases?
If you’re shopping on Walmart’s website or mobile app, payment options are different from in-store checkout. Online payments may include:
- Credit and debit cards
- Gift cards
- Buy now, pay later options (depending on availability)
Apple Pay is still not offered for online orders, but shopping digitally gives you more flexibility than in-store checkout.
What This Means for iPhone Users
If you’re an iPhone user, the biggest adjustment is simply knowing that Walmart does not support Apple Pay at physical registers. However, you can still shop conveniently by using:
- Walmart Pay inside the Walmart app
- A physical card
- Cash or gift cards
For people who rely heavily on Apple Pay for fast checkout, the switch may take getting used to, but Walmart Pay does offer a reasonably smooth experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I tap my iPhone at Walmart to pay?
No. Apple Pay and other tap-to-pay options do not work at Walmart.
Is Walmart ever going to accept Apple Pay?
Walmart has not announced any plans to add Apple Pay support in its stores.
Does Walmart accept contactless cards?
No, the store does not allow NFC payment technology at checkout.
Can I use Apple Pay at a Walmart gas station?
No. Walmart fuel pumps follow the same policy as inside the store.
Conclusion
Walmart remains one of the few major retailers that does not accept Apple Pay in stores. Although tap-to-pay isn’t supported, customers still have convenient alternatives, including Walmart Pay, physical cards, and other standard payment methods. For iPhone users, this simply means using the Walmart app instead of Apple’s payment system when checking out.
