Walmart Will Accept Apple Pay and Google Pay at All US Stores by 2026

For over a decade, Walmart stood apart from other major US retailers by refusing to accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, or similar contactless payment methods. Instead, it promoted its own solution, Walmart Pay, which relied on QR codes.

This position frustrated many shoppers, especially as tap-to-pay became standard at competitors like Target and Home Depot. Calls for change grew louder during the pandemic, when contactless payments surged in popularity for safety and convenience.

On August 21, 2026, reports from outlets including MacRumors and TechCrunch confirmed that Walmart would finally bring tap-to-pay options to its stores. The rollout would begin August 24 at select Walmart and Sam's Club locations, with a nationwide expansion planned by the end of 2026.

The company said Apple Pay and Google Pay would be accepted at checkout, joining other contactless options. According to The Keyword, Google Pay would be usable through Google Wallet, making transactions faster and easier for many customers.

TechCrunch and Axios noted that this change ends Walmart's long resistance to third-party contactless payments. Previously, customers could only use Walmart Pay, which required scanning a QR code rather than tapping a phone or watch.

Coverage from outlets like Fast Company and The Next Web highlighted that Walmart had held out for over a decade, even as customer demand for Apple Pay and Google Pay kept rising. The shift was described as a significant move to catch up with modern payment trends.

Walmart will launch Apple Pay and Google Pay support at select US stores and Sam's Club locations starting August 24, 2026. The full rollout to all stores is expected to be completed by the end of the year, according to MacRumors and Quartz.

This move brings Walmart in line with other major chains, giving customers more flexibility at checkout. Shoppers will be able to use their phones or smartwatches for faster, more convenient payments.

The key question now is whether Walmart's adoption of tap-to-pay will draw more shoppers or speed up checkout lines as promised. Customers can expect to see gradual changes at their local stores as the rollout continues through the rest of 2026.