If you’ve ever stood in line at a Walmart store with your iPhone ready for a quick tap-to-pay, you’ve probably asked yourself: “Does Walmart accept Apple Pay?” With Apple Pay becoming a standard mobile payment method across the U.S., it’s a fair question. Walmart, after all, is one of the world’s largest retailers, serving millions of customers weekly both online and in-store.
The short answer? No, Walmart does not currently accept Apple Pay. But the longer answer—why that’s the case, what alternatives exist, and whether Walmart might change its mind—reveals much more about the company’s approach to payments, privacy, and digital innovation.
Does Walmart Accept Apple Pay?
No, Walmart does not accept Apple Pay in any of its U.S. stores, self-checkout lanes, or mobile app. If you try to hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near a Walmart card reader, the NFC (Near Field Communication) feature will not activate because Walmart has disabled contactless payment terminals for Apple Pay and similar services like Google Pay or Samsung Pay.
Instead, Walmart promotes its own payment platform, Walmart Pay, built directly into the Walmart app. It’s designed to provide a similar cashless experience—just without Apple’s ecosystem.
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Why Walmart Refuses to Use Apple Pay
Walmart’s choice isn’t a technical limitation—it’s strategic. The company has deliberately avoided Apple Pay for three key reasons: data control, transaction costs, and ecosystem loyalty.
First, Walmart values access to customer purchase data. When users pay through Apple Pay, Apple anonymizes transaction details, meaning retailers receive less information about what their customers buy. Walmart, on the other hand, uses its own payment system to collect purchasing data that helps improve marketing, manage inventory, and tailor promotions.
Second, Apple Pay adds processing costs. Every Apple Pay transaction involves small fees shared among banks, card issuers, and Apple. For a retailer operating on razor-thin margins and billions in annual transactions, those fees can become substantial. Managing payments internally through Walmart Pay reduces those costs.
Finally, Walmart wants to build and control its own ecosystem. By encouraging users to pay through the Walmart app, the company deepens loyalty, promotes digital engagement, and integrates payment with its rewards programs and subscription service, Walmart+. This approach keeps shoppers inside Walmart’s platform rather than Apple’s.
What Is Walmart Pay?
Walmart Pay is Walmart’s proprietary mobile payment system that allows you to complete purchases directly from your smartphone using a QR code instead of NFC tap technology. It’s available to both Android and iPhone users and integrates seamlessly within the official Walmart app.
Once you’ve linked a payment method—such as a credit card, debit card, or Walmart gift card—you can use your phone to scan a code at checkout. The app processes the payment automatically, stores your digital receipt, and provides a completely contactless experience.
Although it lacks the one-tap simplicity of Apple Pay, it’s still fast, secure, and paperless. Most importantly, it ensures all payments flow through Walmart’s system, aligning with the company’s goal of maintaining control over data and user experience.
How to Use Walmart Pay on an iPhone
Even though Apple Pay doesn’t work at Walmart, iPhone users can still enjoy a nearly identical experience by using Walmart Pay. The setup is simple and takes only a few minutes.
After downloading the Walmart app, you log in to your account and tap on “Walmart Pay” from the Services menu. From there, you can add your preferred payment card or Walmart gift card. When you reach checkout in a store, open Walmart Pay, scan the QR code on the payment screen, and your transaction will process automatically.
Once the payment is complete, a digital receipt appears inside your app. There’s no need for paper copies or physical cards. The entire process is designed for speed, convenience, and contactless interaction—just like Apple Pay, but QR-based instead of NFC-based.
The Extra Perk for Walmart+ Members: Scan & Go
Walmart+ subscribers get an even faster way to shop with a feature called Scan & Go. This allows you to use your phone to scan product barcodes as you place them in your cart. You can bag your items as you go, view your running total, and skip traditional checkout lines entirely.
When you’re finished shopping, you simply head to a designated Scan & Go station, scan a final code, and confirm payment using Walmart Pay. It’s one of Walmart’s most convenient features and reflects the retailer’s goal to make in-store shopping as quick as online ordering.
Can You Use Apple Pay on Walmart.com or the Walmart App?
Unfortunately, Apple Pay isn’t accepted online at Walmart.com or in the Walmart mobile app either. Whether you’re ordering groceries, electronics, or home essentials, you won’t find Apple Pay among the checkout options.
Instead, Walmart’s website and app accept the following payment methods:
- Credit or debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express)
- PayPal
- Walmart Gift Cards
- Affirm for financing and “Buy Now, Pay Later” purchases
- EBT/SNAP for eligible grocery items
So even in digital purchases, Walmart remains consistent—Apple Pay is off the table.
Indirect Ways to Use Apple Pay at Walmart
If you’re deeply invested in Apple’s payment ecosystem, there are still a few clever workarounds that allow you to use your Apple Wallet funds when shopping at Walmart.
One option is to use your Apple Card, which functions as a physical MasterCard. You can add this card to Walmart Pay or swipe it at checkout like any other credit card. While it doesn’t provide the instant tap-to-pay feature, you’ll still earn your Apple Card rewards and Daily Cash.
Another alternative is linking Apple Pay to PayPal. You can fund your PayPal account through Apple Pay and then use PayPal for purchases on Walmart.com. This workaround doesn’t apply in physical stores but works perfectly for online orders.
You can also purchase Walmart Gift Cards through third-party retailers that accept Apple Pay, such as Gift Card Mall or Raise. Once you have the card, you can add it to Walmart Pay and spend it in-store or online.
Will Walmart Ever Accept Apple Pay?
As of 2025, there’s no indication that Walmart plans to support Apple Pay in the near future. The retailer has consistently stated that it’s committed to maintaining Walmart Pay as its primary mobile payment platform.
This decision ties into Walmart’s broader digital transformation strategy, which emphasizes building proprietary tools, gathering customer insights, and integrating financial services directly into its ecosystem. Over recent years, Walmart has expanded its financial products, including buy-now-pay-later partnerships, money transfers, and even its own fintech initiatives.
While consumer demand for Apple Pay remains high, Walmart’s incentives to switch are limited. Unless Apple changes its fee structure or data-sharing model, it’s unlikely Walmart will abandon a system that gives it both control and customer engagement.
Security and Privacy: Walmart Pay vs. Apple Pay
Both Apple Pay and Walmart Pay prioritize security, though their methods differ slightly. Apple Pay uses tokenization, which replaces your card number with a unique device-specific code that merchants never see. Transactions require biometric authentication, adding an extra layer of protection.
Walmart Pay, on the other hand, also encrypts payment data but processes transactions through QR codes rather than NFC. While equally safe for users, it allows Walmart to retain access to transaction data for analytics and personalized marketing.
In simple terms, Apple Pay is more privacy-focused, while Walmart Pay is more retailer-focused. Both are secure, but they serve different business goals.
Why Walmart’s Strategy Makes Sense
At first glance, refusing to accept Apple Pay may seem inconvenient for customers. But from Walmart’s perspective, it’s a logical business move. The company has long built its success on controlling costs and customer relationships. Accepting Apple Pay would introduce third-party fees, restrict access to valuable transaction data, and push users toward another company’s ecosystem.
By keeping payments in-house, Walmart maintains flexibility and can integrate loyalty features, savings programs, and marketing directly into its app. This closed-loop approach not only reduces expenses but also strengthens customer retention. In short, Walmart Pay isn’t just a payment tool—it’s a strategic asset.
Other Major Retailers That Accept Apple Pay
If you prefer using Apple Pay, you’ll find plenty of alternatives. Most major U.S. retailers now support it, offering the convenience Walmart currently lacks.
Some popular chains that accept Apple Pay include Target, Costco, CVS, Walgreens, Whole Foods, Best Buy, Trader Joe’s, and Starbucks. Many gas stations, restaurants, and even small local stores have also integrated Apple Pay into their systems.
Given this widespread acceptance, Apple Pay users can still enjoy a largely contactless shopping experience almost everywhere else.
The Bottom Line
So, does Walmart accept Apple Pay? No—not in stores, online, or in the app. Instead, the retailer offers its own payment solution, Walmart Pay, which provides a secure, convenient, and contactless shopping experience using QR codes.
While Apple Pay users may find this disappointing, Walmart Pay delivers similar benefits, including digital receipts, easy setup, and integration with the Walmart app. For those deeply tied to Apple’s ecosystem, there are still indirect options—like using the Apple Card or PayPal—to bridge the gap.
At its core, Walmart’s approach reflects a broader strategy: keeping payments, data, and customer engagement within its own digital ecosystem. Whether this changes in the future remains to be seen, but for now, your iPhone’s Wallet will have to wait at the Walmart checkout.
Key Takeaways
- Walmart does not accept Apple Pay in any form.
- The official alternative is Walmart Pay, available in the Walmart app.
- Walmart Pay supports credit, debit, and gift cards, offering a paperless, QR-based payment method.
- Apple Card users can still pay at Walmart using their physical MasterCard.
- Walmart’s decision centers on cost control, data privacy, and ecosystem loyalty.
FAQs
Does Walmart accept Apple Pay in 2025?
No, Walmart still doesn’t accept Apple Pay in 2025. The company uses its own payment system, Walmart Pay, instead of supporting NFC tap-to-pay.
Why doesn’t Walmart take Apple Pay?
Walmart avoids Apple Pay to save on processing fees, maintain control over customer data, and promote its own ecosystem through Walmart Pay.
Can I use Apple Pay on Walmart.com or the Walmart app?
No, Apple Pay isn’t supported on Walmart’s website or mobile app. However, you can use PayPal, credit cards, or Affirm for online orders.
What payment methods does Walmart accept?
Walmart accepts major credit and debit cards, Walmart gift cards, Capital One Walmart credit cards, PayPal (online only), and Affirm for financing.
Can I use my Apple Card at Walmart?
Yes. You can use your physical Apple Card at Walmart like any other MasterCard, or add it to Walmart Pay for mobile checkout inside the Walmart app.
Conclusion
Walmart’s stance on Apple Pay isn’t about resisting innovation—it’s about protecting its own. By prioritizing Walmart Pay, the retailer maintains full control over its financial operations and customer experience. And while Apple Pay users might miss the simplicity of tapping their iPhones at checkout, Walmart’s QR-based solution offers its own advantages in convenience, rewards, and integration.
For now, the answer is clear: Walmart and Apple Pay are separate worlds. But in an era where consumer convenience drives innovation, the retail landscape can change quickly. If enough shoppers demand it, even Walmart might one day join the Apple Pay network.