Walmart Finally Adds Apple Pay and Google Pay Across U.S. Stores

Walmart is finally adding contactless payments, including Apple Pay and Google Pay, to its U.S. stores after years of relying on its own checkout technology.

Beginning Aug. 24, Walmart will introduce Tap to Pay at select Walmart and Sam’s Club locations. The retailer plans to expand the feature to all U.S. stores and clubs by the end of 2026, followed by fuel stations by mid-2027.

Apple Pay and Google Pay are coming to Walmart

Customers will be able to pay with eligible contactless credit and debit cards, smartphones and smartwatches. Google separately confirmed that Google Pay will work at participating Walmart locations as the rollout begins.

The change also enables Walmart checkouts to accept Apple Pay, allowing customers to make contactless purchases with an iPhone or Apple Watch. Walmart Pay will remain available through the Walmart app, while Sam’s Club members can continue using Scan & Go.

Walmart resisted contactless wallets for years

Walmart has historically avoided supporting Apple Pay and other NFC-based wallets while promoting its own payment products. The retailer was also part of the Merchant Customer Exchange, a consortium of major retailers that developed a competing mobile payment system called CurrentC.

CurrentC relied on QR codes rather than NFC technology but never achieved a broad commercial launch. Its beta program was discontinued in 2016, while Apple Pay, Google Pay and contactless bank cards continued expanding across U.S. retail.

Walmart says the change gives shoppers more choice

Walmart framed the addition as an expansion of customer payment options rather than a replacement for its existing systems. Shoppers will still be able to use cash, traditional cards and Walmart Pay alongside the new contactless methods.

The rollout removes one of the most prominent remaining gaps in U.S. contactless payment acceptance, giving Walmart andSam’ss Club customers the same tap-to-pay options already available at many other major retailers.