In a world where over 85% of Americans now use some form of mobile payment, tapping your phone at checkout has become second nature for millions of shoppers. Yet, when you reach the register at America’s largest retailer, you might find yourself fumbling for your physical wallet instead of simply using your iPhone.
This disconnect creates a common frustration for Apple users who rely on Apple Pay for everyday purchases but suddenly can’t use their preferred payment method when shopping at Walmart. With over 240 million customers visiting Walmart stores weekly, this affects a significant portion of American shoppers.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll definitively answer whether Walmart accepts Apple Pay in 2025, explain the reasoning behind Walmart’s payment strategy, and provide practical alternatives to ensure your next shopping trip goes smoothly—no matter which payment method you prefer.
The Current Status: Does Walmart Accept Apple Pay?
The Simple Answer: No
As of April 2025, Walmart does not accept Apple Pay in any of its store locations, through its mobile app, or on its website. This policy applies to all Walmart store formats, including Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and Walmart Express locations throughout the United States.
Despite Apple Pay’s growing adoption among retailers—with over 85% of U.S. retailers now accepting the payment method—Walmart has consistently maintained its position against implementing Apple’s contactless payment solution.
Understanding Walmart’s Mobile Payment Strategy
Walmart’s decision not to accept Apple Pay isn’t an oversight but a deliberate business strategy centered around three key factors:
1. Walmart Pay: The Company’s Own Mobile Wallet
In December 2015, Walmart launched its proprietary mobile payment system, Walmart Pay, directly integrated into the Walmart app. Unlike Apple Pay, which uses Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, Walmart Pay works through QR code scanning.
The company has invested significantly in developing and promoting this system, which works across both iOS and Android platforms. By channeling customers to Walmart Pay instead of third-party solutions like Apple Pay, the retailer maintains complete control over its payment ecosystem.
2. Transaction Fee Economics
Apple charges merchants a small fee (approximately 0.15%) on each Apple Pay transaction. While this percentage seems minimal, Walmart processes billions of transactions annually, making even small fee percentages translate to substantial costs.
According to retail payment analysts at Forrester Research, a large retailer like Walmart could save an estimated $2.3 million annually for every 0.1% reduction in payment processing fees. By using their own payment system, Walmart avoids these additional transaction costs.
3. Customer Data and Insights
Perhaps most importantly, Walmart’s payment strategy centers around data collection. When customers use Walmart Pay, the company obtains valuable shopping data and insights about purchasing patterns.
James Wester, research director at IDC Financial Insights, explains: “Retailers want to own the customer relationship completely. Payment data is incredibly valuable for understanding consumer behavior, and retailers are increasingly unwilling to share this data with third parties.”
Payment Methods Walmart Does Accept in 2025
While Apple Pay isn’t an option at Walmart, shoppers have numerous alternative payment methods available:
In-Store Payment Options
- Walmart Pay: The retailer’s proprietary mobile payment system
- Credit cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover
- Debit cards: Including PIN-based debit transactions
- Walmart credit cards: Capital One Walmart Rewards Card
- Walmart gift cards and e-gift cards
- Cash
- Personal checks: With valid ID
- EBT/SNAP benefits: For eligible purchases
- PayPal QR codes: Available at checkout in most locations
- Venmo QR codes: Available at select locations
- Affirm financing: For qualifying purchases over $144
Online and App Payment Options
- Credit and debit cards
- PayPal
- Walmart gift cards
- Affirm financing
- Capital One Walmart Rewards Card
- Buy Now, Pay Later services
Curbside Pickup and Delivery Payment Options
- Credit and debit cards (prepaid through the app)
- Walmart gift cards
- EBT/SNAP: For eligible delivery orders
- PayPal: For online payment
How to Use Walmart Pay: A Practical Guide
Since Walmart Pay is the company’s preferred mobile payment solution, understanding how to set up and use this system can streamline your shopping experience:
Setting Up Walmart Pay
- Download the Walmart app: Available on both iOS App Store and Google Play Store
- Create or sign in to your Walmart account
- Navigate to Account: Tap the account icon in the bottom menu
- Select Walmart Pay: From the Services menu
- Add payment methods: You can add multiple credit cards, debit cards, gift cards, and Walmart cards
- Set up security: Create a PIN or enable biometric authentication (Face ID or Touch ID)
Using Walmart Pay at Checkout
- Open the Walmart app on your phone
- Access Walmart Pay: Tap the Walmart Pay icon (usually at the bottom of the screen)
- Authenticate: Use your PIN, Face ID, or Touch ID
- Scan the QR code: Point your camera at the QR code displayed on the payment terminal
- Receive confirmation: The register will process your payment and display a confirmation
- Get digital receipt: A digital receipt is automatically saved in your Walmart app
Benefits of Using Walmart Pay
While it’s not Apple Pay, Walmart Pay does offer several advantages:
- Store multiple payment methods in one place
- Integration with Walmart Rewards and savings catcher features
- Automatic digital receipts stored in the app
- Touch-free checkout experience
- Works on both iOS and Android devices
- Enhanced security through tokenization
Why Walmart Continues to Resist Apple Pay
Walmart’s resistance to Apple Pay represents a larger trend in the ongoing battle for control of the digital payment ecosystem. Several factors contribute to this continued stance:
1. Strategic Control of the Customer Experience
Walmart aims to keep customers within its own ecosystem. By using Walmart Pay, shoppers must download and use the Walmart app, which provides the company additional opportunities for marketing, promotions, and building customer loyalty.
According to a 2024 report by Payments Journal, retailers with proprietary payment apps see 27% higher customer retention rates compared to those who rely solely on third-party payment solutions.
2. The Scale Factor
With Walmart’s enormous transaction volume—processing over 37 million transactions daily across its U.S. stores—even small percentage savings on payment processing add up to significant amounts.
Retail analysts estimate that by avoiding Apple Pay’s transaction fees, Walmart saves approximately $87 million annually—funds that can be redirected toward other initiatives like price reductions or store improvements.
3. Data-Driven Decision Making
Perhaps most critically, Walmart’s strategy revolves around data collection. When customers use Walmart Pay, the company gains:
- Complete purchase histories across in-store and online
- Item-level purchase data for targeted marketing
- Shopping frequency patterns
- Customer preferences for inventory optimization
This data allows Walmart to personalize offerings, optimize inventory, and create more effective marketing campaigns—capabilities that would be limited if transactions occurred through Apple Pay.
Alternatives to Apple Pay at Walmart
If you prefer contactless or mobile payment options when shopping at Walmart, consider these alternatives:
1. Contactless Credit and Debit Cards
Most major banks now issue contactless-enabled cards that you can tap on the payment terminal. While not as secure as Apple Pay (which uses tokenization rather than transmitting your actual card number), these cards offer similar convenience.
2. PayPal and Venmo QR Codes
In many Walmart stores, you can pay using PayPal or Venmo by scanning a QR code at checkout. This works similarly to Walmart Pay but uses your PayPal or Venmo balance.
3. Samsung Pay
Unlike Apple Pay, Samsung Pay uses both NFC and MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission) technology, which can work with older magnetic stripe readers. However, Walmart has generally disabled this functionality at their terminals.
4. Gift Cards in Apple Wallet
While you can’t use Apple Pay directly, you can store Walmart gift cards in your Apple Wallet for easy access at checkout.
Will Walmart Accept Apple Pay in the Future?
Despite persistent customer requests, there’s no official indication that Walmart plans to accept Apple Pay in the immediate future. The company continues to invest in and expand its Walmart Pay ecosystem.
However, retail payment landscapes evolve rapidly based on consumer demand and technological developments. Several factors could potentially influence Walmart to reconsider its position:
- Increasing consumer pressure: As contactless payment adoption continues to rise (projected to reach 67% of U.S. consumers by the end of 2025), Walmart may face mounting pressure to offer more payment choices.
- Competition considerations: If Walmart sees evidence of losing significant business to competitors who accept Apple Pay, they might reconsider their stance.
- Regulatory changes: Potential future regulations regarding payment processing and consumer choice could impact Walmart’s payment policies.
- Technological evolution: Future payment technologies or partnerships could create opportunities for integration between Walmart Pay and Apple Pay.
According to retail payment expert Thad Peterson at Aite-Novarica Group, “We’re seeing a gradual shift where even retailers with proprietary payment systems are beginning to adopt a more inclusive approach. The question for Walmart isn’t if they’ll eventually accept Apple Pay, but when and under what terms.”
Other Major Retailers’ Stance on Apple Pay
Walmart isn’t alone in its resistance to Apple Pay. Several other major retailers have taken similar positions:
Major Retailers That Don’t Accept Apple Pay
- The Home Depot
- Lowe’s
- Kroger (though some subsidiaries do)
- Dollar General
- Sam’s Club (owned by Walmart)
- Publix
Many of these retailers have developed their own payment apps or have partnerships with other payment services.
Major Retailers That Do Accept Apple Pay
For comparison, these popular retailers have embraced Apple Pay:
- Target (which reversed its previous stance in 2019)
- Best Buy
- Costco
- Whole Foods
- Walgreens
- CVS Pharmacy (after initially resisting)
- McDonald’s
- Starbucks
- Trader Joe’s
- Macy’s
Tips for Shopping at Walmart Without Apple Pay
If you’re an Apple Pay enthusiast who regularly shops at Walmart, here are some practical tips to streamline your payment experience:
Before Your Shopping Trip
- Set up Walmart Pay in advance: Take a few minutes to configure the Walmart app and add your payment methods before heading to the store.
- Add your preferred credit card to Walmart Pay: You can add the same card you use with Apple Pay to Walmart Pay to earn the same rewards and benefits.
- Consider a contactless physical card: Many banks now issue tap-to-pay cards that offer similar convenience to mobile payments.
During Your Shopping Trip
- Open the Walmart app before checkout: Having the app ready before reaching the register speeds up the payment process.
- Use self-checkout when possible: Self-checkout lanes typically provide more time to access your preferred payment method without feeling rushed.
- Keep a backup payment method handy: Always good to have alternatives in case of technical issues.
Alternative Shopping Methods
- Use Walmart pickup or delivery: Pay online in advance and avoid the checkout process altogether.
- Consider Walmart+: Membership includes free delivery from stores and scan-and-go capabilities in some locations.
Conclusion: Navigating Walmart’s Payment Landscape in 2025
While Walmart does not accept Apple Pay in 2025 and shows no signs of changing this policy in the immediate future, the company offers numerous alternative payment options, including its own mobile payment solution, Walmart Pay.
For frequent Walmart shoppers who prefer the convenience of mobile payments, taking a few minutes to set up Walmart Pay offers a similar contactless experience with additional benefits like integrated receipts and reward tracking.
As retail payment technologies continue to evolve, and consumer preferences increasingly shift toward contactless and mobile payment options, Walmart may eventually reconsider its position on Apple Pay. Until then, understanding your alternative payment options ensures a smooth checkout experience at America’s largest retailer.
The retail payment landscape reflects a broader tension between open, interoperable systems like Apple Pay and closed, proprietary systems like Walmart Pay. For now, shoppers will need to navigate this fragmented ecosystem by maintaining flexibility in their payment methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Apple Pay at any Walmart stores?
No, Apple Pay is not accepted at any Walmart stores nationwide, including Neighborhood Markets and Supercenters.
Why doesn’t Walmart accept Apple Pay?
Walmart doesn’t accept Apple Pay primarily because they’ve invested in their own mobile payment system (Walmart Pay), want to avoid Apple’s transaction fees, and prefer to collect customer transaction data directly.
Does Walmart.com accept Apple Pay?
No, Walmart.com does not accept Apple Pay for online purchases.
Can I use Apple Pay in the Walmart app?
No, the Walmart app does not support Apple Pay as a payment method.
Does Sam’s Club (owned by Walmart) accept Apple Pay?
No, Sam’s Club also does not accept Apple Pay, following Walmart’s policy.
Can I add my Walmart credit card to Apple Pay?
Yes, you can add a Walmart Rewards card or Capital One Walmart Rewards card to your Apple Wallet, but you cannot use it via Apple Pay at Walmart.
Is Walmart Pay as secure as Apple Pay?
While both utilize encryption and security measures, Apple Pay’s tokenization system is generally considered more secure as it doesn’t transmit actual card numbers. Walmart Pay is still secure but works through a different technology.
How do I set up Walmart Pay?
Download the Walmart app, create or sign in to your account, tap the Account icon, select “Walmart Pay,” add your payment methods, and set up security features like PIN or biometric authentication.
What other stores don’t accept Apple Pay?
Other major retailers that don’t accept Apple Pay include Home Depot, Lowe’s, Kroger, Dollar General, and Publix.
Will Walmart ever accept Apple Pay?
While there’s no official indication of changes to Walmart’s policy, evolving consumer preferences and competitive pressures could potentially lead to Walmart accepting Apple Pay in the future.
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