Ever been at a Walmart checkout, ready to tap your iPhone, only to realize Apple Pay isn’t working? Does Walmart Take Apple Pay is a common question—and the short answer is no, Walmart doesn’t accept Apple Pay in most stores or on Walmart.com. Instead, Walmart promotes Walmart Pay, its own contactless system inside the Walmart app, which uses QR code scanning at checkout. You can still pay easily using credit cards, debit cards, cash, gift cards, and EBT (where available), making checkout smooth even without Apple Pay. The reason Walmart avoids Apple Pay is mostly strategic—it prefers customers to use its own wallet experience and keeps payments within its ecosystem. If you rely on mobile payments, Walmart Pay is the closest alternative that works reliably.

Quick Answer: Does Walmart Take Apple Pay

No — Walmart does not accept Apple Pay at most U.S. Walmart locations, including in-store checkout, self-checkout lanes, and Walmart.com. That means you can’t use your iPhone or Apple Watch for tap-to-pay inside Walmart the way you can at many other retailers.

The reason is simple: Apple Pay relies on NFC (Near Field Communication) technology, and Walmart does not support NFC payments at its registers. Instead, Walmart encourages shoppers to use Walmart Pay, a QR-code-based payment option available through the Walmart app.

So if you’re wondering whether Apple Pay works at Walmart, the clear answer is no — not directly.

Why Doesn’t Walmart Accept Apple Pay

Walmart doesn’t accept Apple Pay mainly because it wants customers to use its own payment system and keep the checkout experience inside its ecosystem. Here’s the simple breakdown:

Walmart Pushes Its Own Wallet Walmart Pay

• Walmart prefers shoppers use Walmart Pay, which works directly through the Walmart app.
• This increases app adoption and keeps customers engaged with Walmart’s platform.

Control Over Customer Data and Shopping Behavior

• Apple Pay limits what retailers can track because it keeps transactions more private.
• Walmart benefits from richer shopping insights, helping improve personalized offers, rewards, and customer experience.

No Incentive to Upgrade to NFC Checkout Systems

• Apple Pay depends on NFC tap-to-pay, but Walmart chooses not to support NFC terminals.
• By avoiding Apple/Google payment systems, Walmart keeps its payment flow fully internal and consistent.

What Payment Methods Does Walmart Accept

If you’ve been wondering “Does Walmart Take Apple Pay?”, the answer is still no—but the good news is Walmart offers several easy and reliable payment options both online and in-store. Here’s a clear breakdown of what you can use at Walmart so you’re never stuck at checkout.

Walmart Pay

Walmart’s main contactless alternative to Apple Pay is Walmart Pay, and it’s designed to work seamlessly at checkout.

• Works in-store at regular checkout and self-checkout
• Uses QR code scanning, not NFC tap-to-pay
• Requires the Walmart app to activate and pay
• Lets you store multiple cards inside the app

If you prefer paying with your phone, Walmart Pay is the closest option to Apple Pay that Walmart officially supports, and it’s available in most U.S. locations.

Debit and Credit Cards

For most shoppers, the easiest payment option is still a debit or credit card. Walmart supports the major card networks:

• Visa
• Mastercard
• American Express
• Discover

These work in-store and on Walmart.com, making them the most universal option—especially if you’re shopping across multiple Walmart locations.

Cash and EBT

Walmart continues to support traditional payment methods too, which is helpful if you prefer offline payments or don’t use cards.

• Cash is accepted at all in-store locations
• EBT/SNAP is accepted in-store, and in many cases can also be used online depending on eligible items and your location
• Walmart also accepts WIC in participating stores (varies by state)

This makes Walmart one of the more accessible retailers for shoppers using government-supported programs.

Buy Now Pay Later Options

Depending on your account, cart total, and location, Walmart may also show Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options at checkout.

• Some shoppers see Affirm-style installment plans
• Availability may change based on region, purchase category, and eligibility
• Often available for higher-ticket items like electronics or furniture

BNPL can be a useful option if you’re shopping on a budget but still want flexible checkout options.

Can You Use Apple Pay at Walmart in Any Way

If you’re searching “Does Walmart Take Apple Pay”, you’re probably hoping the answer includes a workaround. While Walmart doesn’t support Apple Pay directly, there are a few safe alternatives that may still let you use Apple Pay indirectly—depending on how you shop.

Apple Pay Can’t Be Used Directly at Walmart Registers

Unfortunately, Apple Pay does not work at Walmart checkout counters, including self-checkout kiosks in most U.S. stores. That’s because Apple Pay relies on NFC tap-to-pay, and Walmart’s payment terminals typically don’t support NFC payments.

So, even if you try tapping your iPhone or Apple Watch, the payment won’t process—because Walmart isn’t set up for Apple Pay or similar tap-to-pay wallets.

Workarounds That Still Let You Use Apple Pay

While you can’t use Apple Pay at Walmart registers directly, here are a couple of practical and legitimate ways shoppers sometimes still use Apple Pay for Walmart-related purchases:

Buy a Walmart Gift Card Using Apple Pay

One simple workaround is to purchase a Walmart gift card from a retailer or website that does accept Apple Pay. Then you can use that gift card to pay at Walmart in-store or online.

This option works well if:

• You already use Apple Pay frequently
• You want a one-time solution for Walmart purchases
• You’re shopping for someone else (gift cards are easy)

It’s a safe workaround because it’s still using official Walmart payment methods at checkout.

Use Apple Pay Through Third-Party Apps (If Available)

In some cases, you may be able to use Apple Pay through third-party apps or services—but this depends heavily on the platform and what Walmart supports at the time.

For example:

• A delivery service or shopping platform may accept Apple Pay
• That service then purchases from Walmart on your behalf

Just make sure the app is legitimate and the payment method is clearly supported before you rely on it.

Walmart Pay vs Apple Pay: What’s the Difference?

If you’re asking “Does Walmart Take Apple Pay?”, it helps to understand why Walmart doesn’t support it—and how Walmart Pay works differently. While both are mobile payment options, the technology behind them is completely different, which explains why Apple Pay won’t work at Walmart checkout.

Apple Pay Uses NFC Tap-to-Pay

Apple Pay is built around NFC (Near Field Communication), which allows you to pay by simply tapping your:

• iPhone
• Apple Watch

It’s fast, secure, and works at thousands of retailers because many stores support NFC-enabled terminals. Apple Pay also keeps your card number protected through tokenization, making it a trusted and widely accepted digital wallet.

Best for: shoppers who want universal tap-to-pay convenience.

Walmart Pay Uses QR Code Scanning

Walmart Pay works differently—it doesn’t use NFC at all. Instead, it uses QR code-based payment, which means you need to:

• Open the Walmart app
• Tap Walmart Pay
• Scan the QR code shown at the checkout screen

Walmart Pay is designed specifically for Walmart stores and integrates directly into Walmart’s system, including receipts, pickup orders, and savings programs.

Best for: Walmart shoppers who want a Walmart-approved mobile checkout option.

Does Walmart Take Apple Pay at Self Checkout?

No — Walmart does not accept Apple Pay at self-checkout in most U.S. Walmart stores. Even though self-checkout kiosks look like they should support tap-to-pay, Apple Pay won’t work because Walmart’s terminals typically don’t support NFC payments.

If you’re trying to pay using your iPhone or Apple Watch, the tap-to-pay feature won’t register—so Apple Pay won’t go through at self-checkout.

What works instead? Walmart Pay

Walmart Pay is Walmart’s official mobile payment option, and it does work at self-checkout. You simply open the Walmart app, select Walmart Pay, and scan the QR code displayed at the register to complete your purchase.

So, if you’re in a hurry and want a phone-based payment method at self-checkout, Walmart Pay is the best alternative to Apple Pay at Walmart.

Does Walmart Take Apple Pay Online?

In most cases, no — Walmart.com doesn’t support Apple Pay directly. If you’re shopping through Walmart’s website or app, you typically won’t see Apple Pay as a checkout option like you might on other major retailers.

That’s because Apple Pay relies on a supported payment integration, and Walmart generally prioritizes its own payment system and traditional checkout methods instead.

What Can You Use Instead on Walmart.com?

Even though Apple Pay usually isn’t available online at Walmart, you still have several easy alternatives:

• Debit and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, AmEx, Discover)
• Walmart gift cards
• PayPal (availability can depend on your region and checkout eligibility)
• Walmart Pay-linked cards, if you’re purchasing through the Walmart app and using stored payment methods

Quick tip: If Apple Pay is your go-to payment method online, one workaround is purchasing a Walmart gift card from a store or platform that accepts Apple Pay and then using that gift card at Walmart.com.

Because payment options can sometimes vary slightly based on country or account type, it’s best to double-check at checkout—but for most U.S. shoppers, Apple Pay is not supported online at Walmart.

Conclusion

So, does Walmart take Apple Pay? The clear answer is no—Walmart doesn’t accept Apple Pay at most U.S. stores, self-checkout lanes, or Walmart.com because it doesn’t support NFC tap-to-pay. If Apple Pay is your default, it can be frustrating, but the good news is Walmart still offers plenty of convenient ways to pay.

The best alternatives are Walmart Pay (their official contactless option inside the Walmart app) and credit or debit cards, which work both online and in-store. To avoid checkout surprises, it’s always a good idea to check the Walmart app before you shop so you know exactly what payment options are available.

If you’re building an online store and want to offer smoother checkout experiences than big retailers, Spocket helps you source high-quality products, sell with confidence, and create a more customer-friendly shopping journey from day one.