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Walmart to finally start accepting Apple Pay and Google Pay
Walmart has announced it will finally accept Apple Pay and Google Pay at its stores and Sam's Club locations beginning August 24. This new payment method, which will include Tap to Pay technology, is a notable shift from Walmart's prior stance against adopting popular mobile payment systems. After years of customers advocating for these options, the roll-out is expected to reach all stores by the end of 2026 and be expanded to all fuel stations by mid-2027. Historically, Walmart has resisted adopting these technologies, promoting its own payment solutions instead, which ultimately left its customers at a disadvantage. This change reflects the company's recognition of evolving consumer payment preferences.
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Published 21 Aug 2026, 14:40 UTC2 min read
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Summary
TL;DR
- Walmart to accept Apple Pay and Google Pay starting August 24.
- Tap to Pay will be available at select locations, expanding nationwide by end of 2026.
- This decision responds to long-standing customer demand for modern payment options.
- Walmart previously attempted to promote its in-house payment systems, failing to compete with Apple Pay.
- The change aims to improve customer experience and payment management.
Interesting facts
- Walmart had previously partnered with other retailers to create an alternative to Apple Pay, called CurrentC, which was discontinued in 2016.
- The majority of U.S. retailers, approximately 85%, already accept Apple Pay.