Walmart announced on Friday that it will begin accepting Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other tap-to-pay methods at its stores. The rollout is scheduled to start on Aug. 24 at select locations, marking a shift in the company's long-standing payment policies.
For several years, Walmart had declined to support these common digital payment methods. Instead, the retailer encouraged customers to use its proprietary Walmart Pay system, which utilizes QR codes rather than near-field communication (NFC) technology. The company noted that shoppers had frequently requested the ability to use Apple Pay, which is currently accepted at more than 85% of U.S. retailers.
According to the company's statement, the initiative aims to provide customers and Sam's Club members with more choices and to simplify the checkout process. Following the initial launch in late August, Walmart plans to expand the service to all Walmart and Sam's Club locations by the end of 2026. The technology is scheduled to be implemented at the retailer's gas stations by mid-2027.
For the average household, this means a concrete change in the checkout experience starting as early as Aug. 24 for those near select locations. Shoppers will be able to pay for groceries, household goods, and electronics using their smartphones or smartwatches without needing a physical wallet or the retailer's specific app. This transition removes a digital barrier for customers who rely on Apple or Google ecosystems to manage their finances and store digital versions of their debit and credit cards.
The move marks a significant precedent in the retail industry, as Walmart was one of the final major holdouts against third-party mobile tap-to-pay systems. By adopting these standards, the company aligns its infrastructure with broader market trends and consumer expectations for payment interoperability. Following the initial August launch, the next major milestones include a total store-wide rollout by the end of 2026 and the final integration at fueling stations by the middle of 2027.