Walmart Finally Accepts Apple Pay Starting Monday

Walmart said Friday it will finally accept tap-to-pay at its checkouts, including Apple Pay and Google Pay, ending one of the longest holdouts in American retail.

The rollout starts Monday, August 24, at select Walmart stores and Sam's Club locations, according to the company's announcement.

Walmart expects tap-to-pay at all US stores and clubs by the end of this year, and at its fuel stations by the middle of 2027.

Shoppers will be able to pay with contactless credit and debit cards or with a phone or smartwatch. Eligible Walmart, Sam's Club and OnePay cards can also be added to digital wallets.

Why It Took So Long

Until now, Walmart customers who wanted to pay by phone had to use the company's own Walmart Pay, which requires scanning a QR code at checkout, or Scan-and-Go at Sam's Club.

Walmart spent years pushing its in-house systems instead of the contactless standard. It was part of CurrentC, a retailer-backed mobile payment venture built as an alternative to Apple Pay, which was shut down in 2016.

Apple says Apple Pay is now accepted at 85% of US retailers.