Apple Pay is a convenient mobile payment system that allows you to use your iPhone, Apple Watch, or other Apple device to make secure, contactless payments in stores, within apps, and on the web. With Apple Pay, you can use your device instead of pulling out your physical credit or debit card when checking out. It’s a fast, simple way to pay on the go. But is this payment method accepted at major retailers like Walmart?
Key Takeaways:
- Walmart does not currently accept Apple Pay in stores.
- You can use alternative payment options like Walmart Pay, credit/debit cards, cash, and gift cards.
- While Apple Pay is not accepted directly, you can still use it with Walmart Pay or to shop online.
- Apple Pay is accepted at many other major stores and restaurants.
- Look for the Apple Pay or contactless payment logo when checking if a store takes mobile wallet payments.
Is Apple Pay an Accepted Payment Option at Walmart?
Unfortunately, Walmart does not currently accept Apple Pay for in-store purchases at any of their store locations. Walmart does have their own proprietary mobile payment system called Walmart Pay that allows you to use your iPhone or Android phone to pay, which functions similarly to Apple Pay. However, you cannot directly use Apple Pay when checking out at Walmart registers as of 2023.
While Apple Pay is not directly accepted, there are a couple ways you can still use it for Walmart purchases:
- Use Apple Pay with Walmart Pay: You can add your eligible credit/debit cards that are already set up with Apple Pay to the Walmart Pay app. Then use Walmart Pay in stores, and it will process the transaction via your Apple Pay-enabled card.
- Shop online and use Apple Pay: When shopping on Walmart.com or through the mobile app, Apple Pay is one of the accepted payment methods for checking out online orders. Add items to your cart and choose Apple Pay at online checkout.
So in summary, Apple Pay itself is not able to be used in Walmart stores currently, but you have some workarounds by linking your Apple Pay cards to Walmart Pay or using Apple Pay for Walmart.com orders.
Why Doesn’t Walmart Accept Apple Pay?
There are a few potential reasons why Walmart does not accept Apple Pay at their retail store locations:
- Exclusivity of Walmart Pay – Walmart developed their own mobile payment system called Walmart Pay and likely wants customers to use that system specifically in their stores rather than third-party options like Apple Pay.
- Fees and revenue sharing – Apple charges small transaction fees for Apple Pay purchases. Walmart may prefer to avoid those additional costs or keep all the revenue, which they can do with Walmart Pay transactions.
- Integration and hardware requirements – Apple Pay requires specific NFC terminals and software integration at checkout. Large retailers like Walmart with thousands of stores can face challenges updating all their systems to enable Apple Pay acceptance.
- Security concerns – Some retailers cite security concerns over mobile wallet payments as a reason not to accept them. However, Apple Pay is generally considered very secure, so this may not be a factor for Walmart specifically.
- Limited consumer demand – If Walmart feels there is not enough customer demand or sees low adoption rates of Apple Pay, they may choose not to devote resources to enabling it in stores.
Ultimately, Walmart seems committed to their own Walmart Pay system and has not yet made the investments to allow Apple Pay transactions in stores. This could possibly change in the future if customer desire for Apple Pay increases.
What Payment Methods Are Accepted at Walmart?
Even though Apple Pay is not directly taken, you still have several payment options when shopping at Walmart in-store or online:
- Walmart Pay – Walmart’s mobile payment app works with iPhone and Android phones. You can link credit, debit, prepaid cards and Walmart gift cards to the app to use within stores.
- Credit cards – Walmart accepts all major credit cards like Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Credit cards can be used in stores, online, in the Walmart app, and at fuel stations.
- Debit cards – Debit cards with the Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover logo are accepted. You can use debit to pay from your checking account.
- Cash – Walmart accepts cash payments for purchases within stores. Self checkout registers also accept cash.
- Gift cards – Walmart accepts store gift cards, as well as third-party gift cards like Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Gift cards can be used online or in stores.
- EBT / SNAP – Walmart accepts EBT food stamp benefits cards. You can use these to purchase eligible grocery items.
- Checks – Walmart accepts checks at their stores with valid ID, though this option is not available for online orders.
- Apple Pay – While not directly, you can use Apple Pay with Walmart Pay or when shopping online.
So even if you can’t use Apple Pay directly, Walmart offers plenty of convenient payment methods to complete your purchases.
Does Apple Pay Work at Other Major Retailers and Stores?
While Walmart currently does not take Apple Pay, there are many other major retailers, grocery stores, and restaurants that do accept Apple Pay for in-store transactions and online orders.
Here are some of the most popular U.S. stores, chains, and websites that accept Apple Pay payments:
Grocery Stores
- Whole Foods Market
- Kroger
- Safeway
- Costco
- Target
- Trader Joe’s
- Aldi
- Sam’s Club
Pharmacies
- CVS Pharmacy
- Walgreens
- Rite Aid
Clothing and Department Stores
- Kohl’s
- Nordstrom
- Macy’s
- JCPenney
- Bloomingdales
- Saks Fifth Avenue
- Dick’s Sporting Goods
Gas Stations
- Chevron
- Exxon
- Mobil
- 76
- Shell
- Texaco
Restaurants and Fast Food
- McDonald’s
- Starbucks
- Subway
- Panera Bread
- Noodles & Company
Other Major Retailers
- The Home Depot
- Lowe’s
- Best Buy
Online Shopping
- Amazon
- Target
- Instacart
- eBay
- Etsy
- Groupon
This is just a small sample of the hundreds of retailers that accept Apple Pay either in stores, through their apps, or online. Always look for the Apple Pay logo or contactless payment symbol to confirm that a store accepts mobile wallet payments.
How Does Apple Pay Work?
Here is a quick overview of how Apple Pay works to make contactless payments using your iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, or Mac:
- Set up cards in Wallet app – Add your credit, debit, and prepaid cards to the Wallet app on your device. Follow the prompts to enter your card details.
- Pay in store – Hold your device near the contactless reader with your finger on the Home button (Face ID iPhones) or side button (Touch ID iPhones). Your default card is automatically selected.
- Pay in apps – When checking out in apps that accept Apple Pay, look for the Apple Pay payment option. Authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID.
- Pay on the web – Click the Apple Pay purchase button on eligible websites. Use Touch ID or Face ID to complete the transaction through Safari.
- View activity – Your Apple Pay purchase history is stored securely in the Wallet app. You can also view transactions on your credit card statements.
Apple Pay uses encrypted token technology so your actual card details are never shared when paying in stores. It’s a fast, convenient, and highly secure payment method accepted at thousands of locations.
Tips for Using Apple Pay at Walmart
While you cannot directly use Apple Pay in Walmart stores currently, here are some tips to help maximize your shopping experience:
- Download the Walmart app to set up Walmart Pay and link any cards you have set up with Apple Pay. Then you can use those cards through Walmart Pay in stores.
- Verify ahead of time that your credit, debit, and prepaid cards work with Walmart Pay. Most major issuers are accepted.
- Use Apple Pay for online Walmart orders through your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Add items to your cart and select Apple Pay during checkout.
- Consider getting a Walmart gift card through Apple Pay that you can load funds onto and use for in-store purchases.
- Always have a secondary payment method like a physical credit card in case you run into any issues using mobile payments at checkout.
- Make sure you have the latest version of iOS or watchOS installed to use the most up-to-date Apple Pay features.
- Continue providing feedback to Walmart on social media or through surveys requesting Apple Pay acceptance in the future.
The Bottom Line
Unfortunately, Walmart does not directly accept Apple Pay at its store locations currently. However, you can still use Apple Pay when shopping on Walmart.com and by linking your Apple Pay cards to Walmart Pay. Apple Pay is accepted at many other major retailers, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take advantage of its speed, convenience, and security for in-store and in-app transactions. Consider using Walmart Pay linked to your Apple Pay cards as the next best mobile payment option when shopping at Walmart stores.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I use Apple Pay on my physical Walmart credit card?
No, you cannot directly add your physical Walmart credit card to Apple Pay and use it in stores. But you may be able to add it to Walmart Pay then check out using Walmart Pay.
2. Does Walmart accept Google Pay or Samsung Pay?
Walmart does not currently accept Google Pay or Samsung Pay directly. Like Apple Pay, you can link cards from those wallets to Walmart Pay to use in Walmart stores.
3. How do I add my cards to Walmart Pay to use with Apple Pay?
Open the Walmart app, go to Payment Methods, select “Add new method”, choose “Credit or Debit Card”, and follow the prompts to enter your card details from Apple Pay.
4. Can I use Apple Pay for Walmart Grocery Pickup or Delivery?
Yes, you can use Apple Pay as a payment method when ordering Walmart Grocery Pickup or Delivery through the Walmart website or app.
5. Is Apple Pay safer than using my physical credit card?
Yes, Apple Pay is more secure than using your actual plastic card since your card details are never shared with the store. It uses tokenized payments and biometric authentication for maximum security.
6. Are Apple Pay transactions free?
Apple Pay transactions are free for debit and prepaid cards. Credit cards may be charged a small fee by the issuing bank per transaction, typically under $0.25.
7. How do I view my Apple Pay purchase history?
Your Apple Pay transactions will appear in your Wallet app purchase history. You can tap on any transaction to see the details. Purchases also appear on your regular credit card statements.
8. Can minors use Apple Pay?
Yes, teens 13+ can use Apple Pay with their own iPhone or Apple Watch and a debit card or prepaid card in Wallet with parental approval. Parental controls allow monitoring of spending.
9. Do I need to have my phone with me to use Apple Pay on my Apple Watch?
No, you can use Apple Pay on your Apple Watch even when you don’t have your iPhone with you as long as you are connected to Wi-Fi or LTE.
10. What should I do if Apple Pay is not working?
Make sure you have added valid cards to Wallet and that Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and NFC are enabled. Review authorization settings, update iOS, and contact your card issuer for help troubleshooting.
11. How do I set up Apple Pay on my supported device?
On your iPhone or iPad, open the Wallet app, tap the “+” and follow prompts to add credit or debit cards. On Apple Watch, add cards through the Watch app on your iPhone. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Wallet & Apple Pay.
12. Can I use Apple Pay internationally?
Yes, Apple Pay works internationally in many countries. Make sure you have an international or no foreign transaction fee card added to Wallet to avoid possible fees.
13. What happens if my iPhone with Apple Pay gets lost or stolen?
You can use Find My iPhone to lock your device remotely. Your cards in Wallet can also be frozen using Find My iPhone to prevent unauthorized use. Report lost devices to your card issuer as well.
14. How old does my device need to be to use Apple Pay?
You’ll need an iPhone 6 or newer. Apple Watch Series 1 or newer also supports Apple Pay. Macs require Touch ID or Macs with Apple silicon to use Apple Pay.
15. Do I still get rewards points and benefits when using Apple Pay?
Yes, you’ll receive all the same rewards points, cash back, miles, discounts, etc. from your credit and debit cards when using Apple Pay.
16. Is there a transaction limit for Apple Pay purchases?
There is no set limit. Contact your credit card issuer for any limits on contactless purchases made through services like Apple Pay.
17. Are Apple Pay payments processed the same as physical card transactions?
Yes, Apple Pay transactions appear on your statements just like regular purchases made with your physical card.
18. Can I return a purchase made with Apple Pay and get a refund?
Yes, returns and refunds work the same as with any other purchase method. The refund will be applied to the original card used via Apple Pay.
19. Will I still earn Walmart Rewards points when using Walmart Pay linked to Apple Pay?
Yes, you can earn Walmart Rewards points on purchases made through Walmart Pay the same as when using your physical Walmart credit card.
20. What should I do if I’m having trouble linking my Apple Pay cards to Walmart Pay?
Make sure you have the latest version of the Walmart app. Check that your cards are eligible and properly added in Apple Pay first. Force quit and re-open the Walmart app. Contact Walmart Pay support for further help troubleshooting.