Does Walmart take Apple Pay? In short, no, Walmart does not accept Apple Pay — not in-store, not online, not at self-checkouts, and not at Walmart gas stations.
This can be surprising in 2025, considering how dominant contactless payment methods have become across U.S. retail. With Apple Pay being one of the most widely adopted and secure digital wallets, shoppers often expect to be able to tap and pay just about anywhere — but Walmart stands out as a major exception.
In this in-depth guide, we’ll explore why Walmart doesn’t take Apple Pay, what alternatives you can use instead, how to make purchases with Apple-linked cards at Walmart, and whether there’s a possibility they may adopt Apple Pay in the future. If you’ve ever found yourself asking, does Walmart take Apple Pay?, this article will answer everything you need to know.
What Is Apple Pay and Why It’s So Popular
Before we dig into Walmart’s payment policies, let’s first understand why so many people use Apple Pay.
Apple Pay is a digital wallet and mobile payment system developed by Apple Inc. It allows users to make secure, contactless payments using iPhones, Apple Watches, iPads, and Macs. It’s available on nearly every Apple device and can be used in stores, apps, and websites.
Here’s why Apple Pay is everywhere:
- It offers fast and secure tap-to-pay functionality using NFC (Near Field Communication).
- Every transaction uses tokenization, meaning your actual card details are never shared.
- Authentication is done via Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode, ensuring high security.
- It eliminates the need to carry physical wallets or cards.
- Over 85% of U.S. retailers now accept Apple Pay, making it incredibly convenient.
So, when users search “does Walmart take Apple Pay,” it’s because they expect that same seamless experience everywhere — including Walmart.
Does Walmart Take Apple Pay in 2025?
Let’s be clear: Walmart does not take Apple Pay.
In 2025, Walmart continues to reject Apple Pay at all locations, including:
- All in-store checkout lanes
- Self-checkout terminals
- Walmart.com (online shopping)
- Walmart gas stations
- The Walmart app
Even if your Apple Wallet is loaded and ready, you won’t be able to use Apple Pay directly at Walmart. That means your iPhone or Apple Watch won’t help you complete a payment using Apple Pay’s tap-to-pay functionality at any Walmart terminal.
This is a common source of confusion. Since many large chains like Target, CVS, and Best Buy now accept Apple Pay, shoppers often expect Walmart to offer the same convenience. However, Walmart remains firm in its stance, creating ongoing customer frustration.
Why Doesn’t Walmart Accept Apple Pay?
So, why doesn’t Walmart take Apple Pay, even though nearly every other major retailer has?
There are several strategic and financial reasons:
- Avoiding transaction fees: Apple charges banks and payment processors a small fee for each Apple Pay transaction. Walmart chooses to avoid these fees by promoting its own payment system.
- Data ownership: When customers pay with Apple Pay, Apple keeps most of the transaction data private. Walmart prefers to collect this data themselves for marketing and analytics, something they can’t do with Apple Pay.
- Legacy ties to MCX: Walmart was part of the Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX), a group of retailers that opposed Apple Pay and tried to create their own mobile wallet alternative — CurrentC. While that project failed, Walmart continued with its own path by developing Walmart Pay.
- Walmart Pay promotion: Walmart is heavily invested in Walmart Pay, their own QR code-based payment method integrated into the Walmart app. By not accepting Apple Pay, Walmart pushes users to adopt its proprietary ecosystem.
The short version? When you ask does Walmart take Apple Pay, the answer is no, because they’d rather you use their system instead.
Workarounds: How to Use Apple-Linked Options at Walmart
While the answer to does Walmart take Apple Pay is still no, there are ways to use Apple-connected cards or funds to make purchases at Walmart — indirectly.
1. Add Your Apple Card or Credit Card to Walmart Pay
- Open the Walmart app and navigate to the Walmart Pay section.
- Link your Apple Card, or any card from your Apple Wallet.
- At checkout, use Walmart Pay by scanning the QR code with your phone.
This isn’t technically Apple Pay, but it lets you use the same cards you store in Apple Pay, just through Walmart’s interface.
2. Buy Walmart Gift Cards Using Apple Pay
- Use third-party apps like Ibotta, Raise, or Fetch.
- Purchase a Walmart gift card using Apple Pay.
- Use the gift card in-store or online at Walmart.
Again, this doesn’t mean Walmart takes Apple Pay directly, but it’s a functional workaround.
These alternatives can feel inconvenient — and that’s part of why the does Walmart take Apple Pay question keeps trending every year.
What Payment Methods Does Walmart Accept?
If Apple Pay isn’t an option, here’s what Walmart does accept:
- Walmart Pay via the Walmart app
- Credit and debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover)
- Walmart gift cards (both physical and eGift cards)
- EBT, SNAP, and WIC (in participating states and locations)
- PayPal (for online purchases only)
- Affirm (for buy-now-pay-later financing on select items)
- Pay by Bank (via Walmart’s banking partners)
- Cash (still accepted at physical checkout counters)
So, while the answer to does Walmart take Apple Pay is a definitive no, the store does offer a wide range of payment methods — just not the one many users prefer.
Customer Feedback and Market Reactions
Shoppers are speaking up. Whether on Reddit, TikTok, or Twitter, the lack of Apple Pay at Walmart is a regular source of complaints.
- Many Gen Z and Millennial shoppers say Walmart feels behind the times for not supporting NFC.
- Viral videos show people trying to use Apple Pay at Walmart, only to be told it’s not supported.
- Customers report switching to competitors like Target or Costco simply for the ease of paying with their iPhone or Apple Watch.
So again, the frustration is real — and it’s why the question does Walmart take Apple Pay keeps popping up across social media and Google Search alike.
How Do Other Retailers Handle Apple Pay?
Unlike Walmart, most major U.S. retailers have embraced Apple Pay. Here’s a comparison:
- Target – Accepts Apple Pay at all registers and self-checkouts.
- CVS – Fully supports Apple Pay in-store.
- Walgreens – Accepts Apple Pay and Apple Cash.
- Costco – Accepts Apple Pay at NFC-enabled terminals.
- Best Buy – Integrated Apple Pay both in-store and in its app.
- Home Depot – Has started rolling out Apple Pay support at select locations.
- Kroger – Began accepting Apple Pay at some stores and plans expansion.
That leaves Walmart as one of the last major retailers holding out, which only intensifies the confusion and leads users to search “does Walmart take Apple Pay” every day.
Will Walmart Ever Accept Apple Pay?
So, what’s next? Will Walmart ever change its mind and finally support Apple Pay?
It’s possible. Here are some factors to watch:
- Customer pressure: As more shoppers demand Apple Pay, Walmart may be forced to reconsider.
- Market trends: Most large competitors already support Apple Pay — Walmart risks falling behind.
- Tech evolution: If NFC payment becomes even more widespread, Walmart may see less benefit in sticking to QR codes.
- Generational shifts: Younger shoppers overwhelmingly prefer Apple Pay. Walmart risks alienating this demographic.
Still, for now, the answer to does Walmart take Apple Pay is a solid no — but future developments could change that.
Final Verdict
To sum it all up: Does Walmart take Apple Pay? No.
Walmart continues to block Apple Pay across all platforms, including in-store, self-checkout, and online. Instead, the retailer pushes its own system — Walmart Pay — which uses QR codes rather than Apple’s NFC-based technology.
While there are some workarounds like adding your Apple Card to Walmart Pay or using Apple Pay to buy gift cards, these methods are indirect and not as seamless as true Apple Pay support.
Shoppers today want speed, security, and convenience. As digital wallets become the norm, Walmart’s refusal to support Apple Pay stands out — and not in a good way. Whether that will change remains to be seen.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Does Walmart take Apple Pay in 2025?
No. Walmart does not accept Apple Pay in any form — not in-store, online, or at gas stations.
Q2. Can I use Apple Pay at Walmart self-checkout?
No. Apple Pay is not supported at any Walmart self-checkout kiosks.
Q3. Can I use Apple Cash at Walmart?
Not directly. However, you can add your Apple Cash card to Walmart Pay as a linked payment method.
Q4. Can I use Apple Pay on the Walmart website?
No. Walmart.com and the Walmart app do not offer Apple Pay as a payment option.
Q5. Why does Walmart not take Apple Pay?
Walmart prefers to use Walmart Pay to avoid transaction fees and retain control over customer data.
Q6. Can I use Apple Pay at Walmart gas stations?
No. Walmart gas stations do not support Apple Pay either.
Q7. Are there ways to use Apple-related cards at Walmart?
Yes. You can add your Apple Card to Walmart Pay or use Apple Pay to buy Walmart gift cards through third-party apps.
Q8. Will Walmart ever start accepting Apple Pay?
Possibly in the future, depending on customer demand and market competition, but there is no official plan as of 2025.
