Walmart is preparing to make one of its biggest checkout changes in years, with the retail giant set to begin accepting Apple Pay and other contactless payment methods at US stores.
Starting Monday, August 24, Walmart will introduce tap-to-pay at select Walmart and Sam’s Club locations. The company plans to expand the technology to all of its U.S. stores and clubs by the end of 2026, followed by its fuel stations by the middle of 2027.
Walmart Apple Pay rollout brings tap-to-pay to U.S. stores
The move means shoppers will be able to use Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay at supported checkout terminals, alongside contactless credit and debit cards. Walmart Pay, the company’s existing QR code-based payment option, will continue to be available.
For years, Walmart stood apart from many major U.S. retailers by declining to support NFC-based mobile payments. Instead, the company promoted its own payment tools, including Walmart Pay and Scan & Go. Walmart was also previously involved in CurrentC, a retailer-backed mobile payment initiative that ultimately shut down in 2016.
The decision brings Walmart closer in line with other large retailers that have adopted contactless payments after initially resisting them. Home Depot, Lowe’s, Kroger and Texas grocery chain H-E-B are among the companies that have added tap-to-pay support in recent years.
Apple Pay at Walmart will support iPhone and Apple Watch payments
Walmart said the change is intended to give customers more flexibility at checkout, allowing them to choose the payment method that works best for them. The shift is especially notable for Apple users, who will finally be able to pay at Walmart stores in the U.S. by holding an iPhone or Apple Watch near a compatible payment terminal.
Apple Pay has been available since 2014 and uses payment credentials stored in Apple Wallet rather than exposing a customer’s actual card number during a transaction. Walmart has already supported Apple Pay in its Canadian stores since 2020, but U.S. shoppers have had to rely on other methods until now.
With the nationwide rollout now scheduled, one of the most prominent holdouts in U.S. retail is finally joining the tap-to-pay era.
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