Walmart is finally bringing Apple Pay support to its stores in the United States, ending more than a decade of resistance to Apple’s contactless payment service. The rollout will begin on August 24 at select Walmart and Sam’s Club locations, with support planned for all US stores and clubs by the end of 2026.
Walmart announced the change in a press release on August 21 and confirmed that its new Tap to Pay system will support Apple Pay on iPhone and Apple Watch, along with Google Pay, contactless cards, and other compatible payment methods.
The company also plans to add Tap to Pay support at fuel stations by mid-2027, which will expand contactless payments beyond its main store checkout areas.
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Customers will also be able to add eligible Walmart, Sam’s Club, and OnePay cards to Apple Wallet and other digital wallets, giving shoppers more ways to pay without opening the Walmart app at checkout.
Walmart Pay will remain available
Walmart will continue offering Walmart Pay alongside Apple Pay and other contactless options, so existing users can still scan a QR code through the Walmart app to complete purchases and access receipts.
For years, Walmart avoided Apple Pay and promoted Walmart Pay as its preferred mobile payment system, even as other major retailers gradually added support for Apple’s service.
The change now brings Walmart closer to retailers such as Kroger, Home Depot, and H-E-B, which also resisted Apple Pay for years before eventually adding contactless payment support.
The rollout starts August 24 at selected locations, while Walmart says every US store and Sam’s Club location should support Tap to Pay before the end of 2026.
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