Cold Stone Creamery is a popular ice cream parlor chain known for its customizable ice cream creations. With locations across the United States, Cold Stone offers ice cream lovers the ability to create their own ice cream masterpiece by choosing a signature ice cream flavor and mix-ins.
As mobile payment options like Apple Pay continue to grow in popularity, more customers are interested to know if they can use mobile wallets like Apple Pay to pay at Cold Stone. Understanding your payment options as a customer is an important part of the shopping experience.
This article will explore whether or not Cold Stone Creamery accepts Apple Pay. We’ll outline key details about using Apple Pay at Cold Stone and provide helpful info for customers interested in mobile payment. By the end, you’ll know what you need to know about using Apple Pay at Cold Stone Creamery.
Does Cold Stone Take Apple Pay?
The short answer is yes, Cold Stone Creamery does accept Apple Pay as a payment method at all locations in the United States. Customers with an eligible iPhone or Apple Watch can use Apple Pay at checkout when ordering in-store.
Apple Pay is a mobile payment service that allows you to pay in stores using your Apple devices like iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad or Mac. To use it, you’ll need to set up Apple Pay on your device and add a valid credit, debit, or prepaid card. Once Apple Pay is set up, you can hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the payment terminal to pay.
All Cold Stone Creamery locations have contactless payment terminals installed that work with Apple Pay. When you’re ready to pay for your Cold Stone order, you can simply hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the payment terminal to complete your purchase. No need to bring your physical wallet or cards to the store!
How to Pay With Apple Pay at Cold Stone
Using Apple Pay at Cold Stone Creamery is quick and easy. Just follow these steps:
- Once your ice cream order is complete, let the Cold Stone employee know you’d like to pay with Apple Pay.
- Make sure you have a valid credit, debit, or prepaid card added to your Apple Pay wallet on your compatible device.
- On your iPhone, double click the side button and authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode if prompted. On Apple Watch, double click the side button.
- Hold the top of your iPhone or Apple Watch within a few centimeters of the contactless reader on the payment terminal.
- Wait for the terminal to light up, vibrate, or beep to indicate the payment was accepted.
- You’ll see a checkmark on your iPhone screen or feel a haptic vibration on your Apple Watch to confirm payment completion.
And that’s it! With Apple Pay there are no cards to insert or PINs to enter. The whole transaction takes seconds. You’ll receive a receipt via email or as an Apple Pay transaction in your Wallet app.
Benefits of Using Apple Pay at Cold Stone
Paying with Apple Pay at Cold Stone Creamery comes with several benefits:
- Convenient – Skipping the physical wallet is ideal when you’re ordering cold, messy ice cream! Keep your phone or smartwatch in your hand to pay quickly.
- Secure – Apple Pay transactions use a device-specific number and one-time code so your actual card details are never shared.
- Contactless – The tap-to-pay method is perfect for social distancing. Avoid touching screens, buttons, or exchanging cash.
- Easy – Apple Pay is intuitive for customers to set up and use. Checking out with it is seamless.
- Rewards tracking – When you use a rewards credit card via Apple Pay, your points, miles, and cash back still accumulate.
- Receipts – Digital receipts make expense tracking clean and paperless. Receipts are stored directly in your Wallet app.
So next time you visit Cold Stone, Apple Pay is the fastest way to pay for your sweet treat!
Tips for Using Apple Pay at Cold Stone
To ensure a smooth experience paying with Apple Pay at Cold Stone, keep these tips in mind:
- Make sure your iPhone has battery power or bring an external battery pack. The device needs power to make contactless payments.
- If your Apple Watch battery is low, you may need to enter your passcode to activate Apple Pay. Charge your watch so this isn’t necessary.
- Add your Cold Stone rewards card to your Apple Wallet if you want to accumulate points.
- Open your Apple Wallet app before checking out to accelerate the process.
- Let your server or cashier know upfront you’ll be using Apple Pay so they activate the correct payment mode.
- Pay with your iPhone for a more seamless experience. Double click the side button then hold near terminal.
- Keep your iPhone or Apple Watch 1-2 inches away from the payment terminal for best results.
- Make sure your card is valid in Apple Pay before arriving. Check expiration dates just like your physical cards.
With this handy Apple Pay guidance, you’ll be checking out from Cold Stone quickly!
Troubleshooting Apple Pay Issues at Cold Stone
Apple Pay transactions at Cold Stone are typically very quick, but occasionally issues can come up that prevent a successful payment. Here are some tips for troubleshooting common Apple Pay problems at Cold Stone:
- If the payment terminal isn’t activated for contactless payments, politely ask the cashier to enable this mode before trying again.
- If your Apple Pay card was recently removed or replaced, add it back and try payment again.
- Make sure your default Apple Pay card has sufficient funds and hasn’t expired.
- Check for any notifications or alerts that require your attention before the transaction can proceed.
- If your iPhone or Apple Watch battery is very low, it may prevent making a payment. Conserve power or recharge.
- Force quit and relaunch the Apple Wallet app if you suspect a software issue interfering.
- If errors persist, you may need to contact your bank or card issuer for assistance troubleshooting.
- Have a secondary payment method available as a backup if needed. Carry a physical card or load a second digital wallet.
With a few troubleshooting tips, you can easily resolve most minor Apple Pay issues. The cashiers at Cold Stone can also help troubleshoot any terminal or scanner problems preventing mobile payment.
The Bottom Line
Cold Stone Creamery accepts Apple Pay at all of their store locations, so iPhone and Apple Watch users can easily tap to pay for ice cream. It’s the fastest, most convenient way to get your Cold Stone fix!
To use Apple Pay, simply add your credit, debit, or prepaid card to the Wallet app, authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID, then hold your device near the contactless terminal. Apple Pay is secure, easy, and ideal for avoiding touching physical menus or exchanging cash during the pandemic.
Next time you’re in the mood for mix-ins and signature ice cream flavors, leave your cards at home and pay with your Apple device instead. Now you can focus on enjoying every sweet bite, without the hassle of fishing out your wallet!
Key Takeaways:
- Cold Stone Creamery accepts Apple Pay at all U.S. locations as a contactless payment method.
- Customers can pay using a compatible iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad or MacBook with Apple Pay set up.
- To use, simply double click then authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID before holding your device near the payment terminal.
- Benefits include speed, convenience, cleanliness, rewards tracking, and enhanced security with Apple Pay.
- Make sure your device is sufficiently charged before paying and have a backup payment method available if needed.
FAQS
Q: What Apple devices can I use with Apple Pay at Cold Stone?
A: You can use iPhone (iPhone 8 or newer), Apple Watch (Series 3 or newer), iPad (2018 or newer), and MacBooks with Touch ID to pay with Apple Pay at Cold Stone.
Q: Do I need to have the Cold Stone app to use Apple Pay in stores?
A: No, you do not need the Cold Stone app to use Apple Pay in store. Simply use your compatible iPhone, Apple Watch or other device.
Q: How do I set up Apple Pay on my device?
A: To set up Apple Pay, go to your Wallet app and tap “+” to begin adding your credit, debit or prepaid cards that you want to use with Apple Pay.
Q: Is Apple Pay secure to use at Cold Stone?
A: Yes, Apple Pay is very secure. It uses device-specific encrypted codes so your actual card number is never shared with the merchant.
Q: What type of cards can I add to Apple Pay?
A: You can add most major credit cards, debit cards, and prepaid cards to Apple Pay, including Visa, Mastercard, Amex, and Discover cards.
Q: Do I need to unlock my iPhone to use Apple Pay at Cold Stone?
A: On iPhones with Face ID, you can double click to activate Apple Pay without unlocking. With Touch ID phones, unlocking is required first.
Q: How do I know when my Apple Pay payment is complete?
A: You will see a checkmark on your iPhone screen or feel a subtle vibration on Apple Watch to confirm your Apple Pay payment went through.
Q: Can I earn Cold Stone rewards points when paying with Apple Pay?
A: Yes, if you load your Cold Stone rewards card to Apple Pay, you can still accumulate points when paying with your linked iPhone or Apple Watch.
Q: Is there a transaction limit when using Apple Pay at Cold Stone?
A: There is no set transaction limit. However, individual card issuers may set transaction limits on payments made with Apple Pay.
Q: What if my Apple Pay payment doesn’t work at Cold Stone?
A: Make sure your device has sufficient charge and check for any errors. You may need to pay with another method if Apple Pay is not going through successfully.
Q: Does Apple Pay work on the Cold Stone website or app?
A: Unfortunately Apple Pay is not currently accepted on the Cold Stone website or mobile app – only in stores.
Q: Can I store Cold Stone gift cards on Apple Pay?
A: No, Cold Stone gift cards cannot be added to the Apple Wallet at this time. They must be presented physically for redemption.
Q: Is Apple Pay faster than using my physical card?
A: Yes, Apple Pay is significantly faster than using your physical card! No need to pull out your wallet, swipe, or enter PINs.
Q: Can authorized users on my credit card use Apple Pay at Cold Stone?
A: Yes, authorized users you add to your credit card account via your card issuer can also use that card via Apple Pay at Cold Stone.
Q: Do I need to show ID when using Apple Pay at Cold Stone?
A: No, you typically do not need to show ID when using Apple Pay. The merchant has the discretion to ask for ID if needed for large purchases.
Q: Will I still collect Cold Stone Belly Points if I pay with Apple Pay?
A: Yes! As long as you have your Belly rewards card loaded into Apple Pay, you can collect Belly Points when paying with Apple Pay.
Q: Does Apple Pay work at Cold Stone kiosks found in stores like Target?
A: Unfortunately Apple Pay may not work at Cold Stone kiosks in retail stores due to the payment systems. You’ll need to pay with a physical card or gift card instead.
Q: Is Apple Pay available in all Cold Stone locations?
A: Yes, Apple Pay can be used at any corporate-owned or franchised Cold Stone location in the United States. Availability may vary internationally.
Q. Can I add a Cold Stone gift card to Apple Pay?
A. Unfortunately Cold Stone Creamery gift cards cannot currently be added to the Apple Wallet for use with Apple Pay. Physical gift cards must be presented separately for redemption.
Q. Does Apple Pay work on the Cold Stone app or website?
A. At this time, Apple Pay is not accepted as a payment method on the Cold Stone Creamery app or website. In-store are the only locations where Apple Pay can be used.
Q. What cards accept Apple Pay?
A. Most major credit cards, debit cards, and prepaid cards accept Apple Pay. This includes popular brands like Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Check with your specific card issuer for Apple Pay compatibility.
Q. Is Apple Pay more secure than using my physical card?
A. Yes, Apple Pay is more secure than swiping or dipping your actual credit or debit card. Apple Pay uses device-specific encrypted codes so your card details are never shared with the merchant.
Q. What if my Apple Pay transaction doesn’t work?
A. If your Apple Pay transaction fails, troubleshoot by checking your device battery, wireless signal, card validity, wallet balance, and more. You may need to switch to another form of payment if issues persist.
Conclusion
Apple Pay provides Cold Stone Creamery customers with an easy, quick, and secure way to pay for sweet treats using their iPhone, Apple Watch and other compatible Apple devices. With Apple Pay rolled out nationwide, you can leave your wallet behind and enjoy the convenience of paying with just your fingertip at any Cold Stone shop. Keep these Apple Pay tips and FAQs in mind to maximize your contactless payment experience. The next time ice cream calls your name, just tap and indulge!