As digital and contactless payments continue to dominate the retail landscape, many shoppers wonder: Does Walmart accept Apple Pay in 2025? With Apple Pay being one of the most popular mobile payment methods in the U.S., its absence at Walmart—one of the largest retailers in the world—remains a topic of discussion and frustration for many consumers. This article explores Walmart’s official stance on Apple Pay, the reasons behind its decision, and the alternative payment methods available for shoppers.
Walmart’s refusal to accept Apple Pay is not new, but as contactless payments become increasingly mainstream, the question persists. We’ll delve into the details of Walmart’s payment policies, the rise of Walmart Pay, and what shoppers can do to make their checkout experience as seamless as possible.
Walmart’s Official Stance on Apple Pay in 2025
As of November 2025, Walmart does not accept Apple Pay in any of its U.S. stores, including physical locations, self-checkout kiosks, or online. This policy has remained consistent for years, despite the growing adoption of Apple Pay and other NFC-based payment methods across the retail industry. Walmart’s decision is rooted in its commitment to promoting its own digital payment solution, Walmart Pay, which is integrated into the Walmart app and designed to work exclusively with Walmart’s payment terminals.
Walmart’s refusal to support Apple Pay extends to other popular digital wallets, such as Google Pay and Samsung Pay. The company has repeatedly stated that it does not accept NFC (Near Field Communication) payments, which are the technology behind these mobile wallets. Instead, Walmart encourages customers to use Walmart Pay, a QR code-based system that allows for contactless payments through the Walmart app.
This stance has drawn criticism from consumers, especially as competitors like Target, Best Buy, and CVS have embraced Apple Pay and other digital wallets. Despite the backlash, Walmart has shown no signs of changing its policy, citing the success and convenience of Walmart Pay as a key factor in its decision.
Why Doesn’t Walmart Accept Apple Pay?
Walmart’s decision to exclude Apple Pay and other NFC-based payment methods is driven by several strategic and financial considerations:
- Promotion of Walmart Pay: Walmart Pay is a proprietary payment system developed by Walmart to streamline the checkout process and enhance customer loyalty. By restricting NFC payments, Walmart ensures that customers use its own app, which also integrates features like digital receipts, savings catchers, and Walmart Rewards.
- Control Over Payment Data: Apple Pay and similar services encrypt transaction data, limiting the information retailers can collect. Walmart Pay, on the other hand, allows Walmart to gather valuable customer data, which it uses to personalize offers and improve the shopping experience.
- Legacy of MCX: Walmart was a founding member of the Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX), a consortium of retailers that aimed to create a retailer-controlled mobile payment system. Although MCX dissolved, Walmart continued to develop its own payment solution, further solidifying its commitment to Walmart Pay.
- Cost Savings: By avoiding third-party payment processors like Apple Pay, Walmart reduces transaction fees, which can add up to significant savings given the company’s massive sales volume.
- Customer Retention: Walmart Pay is designed to keep customers within the Walmart ecosystem, encouraging repeat visits and increased spending through integrated rewards and discounts.
While these reasons make sense from a business perspective, they have not been well-received by consumers who prefer the convenience and security of Apple Pay. The lack of Apple Pay support has even led some shoppers to choose competitors like Target, which offer more flexible payment options.
Walmart’s Accepted Payment Methods in 2025
Despite not accepting Apple Pay, Walmart offers a variety of payment methods to accommodate its customers. Here’s a breakdown of the options available:
In-Store Payments
- Walmart Pay: The primary digital payment method at Walmart, Walmart Pay allows customers to pay using the Walmart app by scanning a QR code at checkout. It supports major credit and debit cards, as well as Walmart gift cards.
- Credit and Debit Cards: Walmart accepts all major credit and debit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
- Cash: Traditional cash payments are still accepted at all Walmart locations.
- Gift Cards: Walmart gift cards and eGift cards can be used for in-store and online purchases.
- EBT Cards: Walmart accepts EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) cards for eligible grocery purchases, both in-store and online.
Online Payments
- Credit and Debit Cards: All major cards are accepted for online purchases.
- PayPal: Walmart.com supports PayPal as a payment option, providing an alternative for customers who prefer digital wallets.
- Walmart Gift Cards: These can be applied to online orders.
- Affirm: Walmart partners with Affirm to offer buy now, pay later (BNPL) options for online shoppers.
While Walmart Pay is the only mobile payment option available in-store, the variety of other accepted methods ensures that most customers can find a suitable way to pay.
How to Use Walmart Pay
Walmart Pay is designed to be a convenient and secure alternative to Apple Pay. Here’s how to set it up and use it:
- Download the Walmart App: Walmart Pay is available exclusively through the Walmart app, which can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.
- Add a Payment Method: Open the app and navigate to the Walmart Pay section. Add your preferred credit, debit, or gift card to the app.
- Enable Walmart Pay: Once your payment method is added, Walmart Pay will be ready to use. You can also enable features like Walmart Rewards and digital receipts.
- Check Out with Walmart Pay: At the register, open the Walmart app and select Walmart Pay. Scan the QR code displayed on the payment terminal to complete your purchase.
- Use Additional Features: Walmart Pay also supports features like Scan & Go, which allows you to scan items as you shop and pay directly through the app, bypassing the checkout line entirely.
Walmart Pay is designed to be user-friendly, and many customers find it just as convenient as Apple Pay once they become familiar with the process.
Workarounds for Using Apple Pay at Walmart
While Walmart does not officially accept Apple Pay, there are a few workarounds that tech-savvy shoppers can use to pay with their iPhones:
- Use a Walmart Credit Card in Apple Wallet: If you have a Walmart credit card, you can add it to your Apple Wallet and use it for contactless payments at Walmart. However, this only works if the card itself supports tap-to-pay, which is not guaranteed at all Walmart locations.
- PayPal Integration: Walmart accepts PayPal for online purchases. If you have your Apple Pay card linked to PayPal, you can use PayPal as an intermediary to complete your transaction.
- Use a Third-Party App: Some third-party apps, like Cash App or Venmo, allow you to transfer funds to a linked debit card, which can then be used with Walmart Pay.
- Purchase Walmart Gift Cards: Use Apple Pay to buy Walmart gift cards from a third-party retailer, then load the gift card into the Walmart app for in-store purchases.
While these methods are not as seamless as using Apple Pay directly, they provide alternatives for customers who prefer to use their iPhones for payments.
Pro Tips for Walmart Shoppers
To make the most of your shopping experience at Walmart, consider these pro tips:
- Download the Walmart App: Even if you don’t use Walmart Pay, the app offers features like digital receipts, savings catchers, and exclusive deals.
- Sign Up for Walmart+: Walmart+ members enjoy benefits like free shipping, fuel discounts, and early access to deals, which can offset the inconvenience of not having Apple Pay.
- Use Scan & Go: This feature in the Walmart app allows you to scan items as you shop and pay directly through the app, saving time at checkout.
- Check for Online Deals: Walmart often offers online-exclusive discounts, and using PayPal or Affirm can provide additional flexibility.
- Provide Feedback: If you’re frustrated by the lack of Apple Pay support, consider providing feedback to Walmart through their customer service channels. Consumer demand can influence future policy changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about Walmart and Apple Pay:
- Does Walmart accept Apple Pay in 2025?No, Walmart does not accept Apple Pay in any of its U.S. stores, online, or at self-checkout kiosks. The company promotes its own payment system, Walmart Pay, instead.
- Why doesn’t Walmart accept Apple Pay?Walmart’s decision is driven by its commitment to Walmart Pay, which allows the company to control payment data, reduce transaction fees, and enhance customer loyalty through integrated rewards.
- Can I use Apple Pay on Walmart.com?No, Walmart.com does not accept Apple Pay. However, you can use PayPal, credit/debit cards, or Walmart gift cards for online purchases.
- What is Walmart Pay?Walmart Pay is a mobile payment system integrated into the Walmart app. It allows customers to pay by scanning a QR code at checkout and supports major credit/debit cards and Walmart gift cards.
- Are there any workarounds to use Apple Pay at Walmart?While Walmart does not directly accept Apple Pay, you can use workarounds like adding a Walmart credit card to Apple Wallet, using PayPal for online purchases, or buying Walmart gift cards with Apple Pay.
Conclusion
Walmart’s refusal to accept Apple Pay in 2025 remains a point of contention for many shoppers, especially as contactless payments become the norm. While the company’s commitment to Walmart Pay offers a viable alternative, the lack of Apple Pay support can be inconvenient for those who rely on digital wallets. Understanding Walmart’s payment policies and exploring available alternatives can help shoppers navigate this limitation and make the most of their shopping experience.
As consumer demand for flexible payment options continues to grow, it remains to be seen whether Walmart will eventually reconsider its stance on Apple Pay. In the meantime, Walmart Pay and other accepted payment methods provide a range of options for customers to complete their purchases efficiently and securely.
