Walmart is launching tap-to-pay support with Apple Pay and Google Pay starting August 24, ending a decade-long holdout against contactless payment methods at the nation’s largest retailer.
The rollout will begin at select Walmart and Sam’s Club locations on August 24, with plans to expand to all U.S. stores and clubs by the end of 2026 and fuel stations by mid-2027, according to a company announcement. Customers will be able to use eligible contactless cards, phones, or smartwatches, and can add their Walmart and Sam’s Club cards to digital wallets including Apple Wallet and Google Wallet.
Walmart’s decision marks a significant shift for a retailer that has long resisted Apple Pay and other NFC-based payments. In January 2026, just months before this announcement, Walmart reiterated its commitment to its own payment systems, stating it did not accept NFC payments and instead promoted Walmart Pay and Scan and Go as more convenient solutions.
Walmart Pay, launched in 2016, uses QR code technology rather than NFC tap-to-pay, requiring customers to scan a code from their Walmart app at checkout. Scan and Go allows Walmart+ and Sam’s Club members to scan items as they shop and bypass traditional checkout entirely. Both systems tie transactions directly to customer Walmart accounts, giving the retailer detailed purchase data for targeting and marketing purposes.
The primary reason Walmart resisted Apple Pay was data collection. Unlike Walmart Pay, Apple Pay uses tokenization technology that prevents merchants from seeing actual card details or building detailed customer profiles. When customers use Apple Pay or other third-party digital wallets, Walmart receives far less transaction information than it does from its proprietary systems.
Joining the Majority of Retailers
Walmart’s move follows similar reversals by other major retailers that held out against contactless payments. Kroger, which refused Apple Pay for nine years, began accepting it in April 2023, according to American Banker. Home Depot launched Apple Pay support in October 2024, and H-E-B followed suit in October 2024 as well.
Tap-to-pay technology is now accepted at more than 85% of retailers across the U.S., making Walmart’s previous stance increasingly isolated. The expansion reflects broader consumer expectations for mobile payment options and the maturation of contactless technology as a standard payment method rather than a niche feature.
The rollout will occur alongside Walmart’s existing payment methods, including traditional cards, cash, and its proprietary systems. This approach gives customers flexibility while maintaining Walmart’s ability to collect data through its own app-based payments for those who choose to use them.
Sources
- 9to5Mac — Walmart announcement of August 24 launch date and rollout timeline; decade-long holdout context; Kroger, Home Depot, and H-E-B adoption details
- mlive.com — Confirmation of tap-to-pay rollout details and 85% retailer adoption rate
- American Banker — Kroger’s nine-year Apple Pay boycott and April 2023 acceptance
