Business & Finance
Walmart to introduce Apple Pay and contactless payment support across US stores
The retailer plans a phased nationwide rollout beginning in late August, ending a decade-long holdout on NFC tap-to-pay systems.
The short version
- Walmart announced it will begin accepting contactless payment methods, including Apple Pay and Google Pay, starting August 24.
- The rollout affects shoppers at US Walmart and Sam's Club locations, bringing standard NFC tap-to-pay options alongside cash and Walmart Pay.
- The feature is scheduled to expand across all US stores and clubs by the end of 2026, with fuel stations following by mid-2027.
- A leaked internal schedule shows state-by-state phases through October, though Missouri is currently missing from the list for undisclosed reasons.
Key facts
- Walmart announced it will begin rolling out support for contactless payments, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and tap-enabled cards, starting August 24.[9to5Mac · 9to5Google · 9to5Mac]
- The company expects all US store and club locations to feature the technology by the end of 2026, with fuel stations scheduled to add support by mid-2027.[9to5Mac · 9to5Google]
- An internal store management memo outlines a phased rollout starting in Arkansas on August 24 and concluding with northeastern states and Washington, D.C., on October 12.[9to5Mac]
- Walmart had previously avoided NFC payments for over a decade in favor of its proprietary QR-code-based system, Walmart Pay, which will continue to be supported alongside standard payment methods.[9to5Mac · 9to5Google]
What remains uncertain
- It is not clear why Missouri was omitted from the internal state-by-state rollout roadmap.[9to5Mac]