Walmart to introduce tap-to-pay support for Apple Pay and Google Pay

Walmart has announced it will finally support tap-to-pay services, including Apple Pay and Google Pay, at its retail stores and Sam's Club locations. The rollout is scheduled to begin on August 24 at select sites, marking a significant change in the company's long-standing payment strategy.

The company plans to expand this contactless payment capability to all of its U.S. stores and clubs by the end of 2026. Additionally, Walmart intends to bring tap-to-pay functionality to its fuel stations by mid-2027. This update allows customers to use contactless cards, smartphones, or smartwatches to complete transactions at checkout.

For years, Walmart resisted adopting NFC-based payment systems, instead favoring its proprietary Walmart Pay platform. Walmart Pay relies on QR codes integrated into the company's mobile app, which requires users to pre-link their credit, debit, or gift cards. The retailer previously attempted to establish its own mobile payment ecosystem through the Merchant Customer Exchange, which utilized a QR-based system called CurrentC.

The shift toward industry-standard contactless payments follows years of consumer demand for more flexible checkout options. By integrating Apple Pay and Google Pay, Walmart is aligning its in-store experience with the majority of other major U.S. retailers. Customers will also be able to add their Walmart, Sam's Club, and OnePay cards to their digital wallets to facilitate these transactions.

Despite the addition of tap-to-pay, Walmart confirmed that existing payment methods, including cash, credit cards, and the proprietary Walmart Pay app, will remain available. At Sam's Club, members will continue to have access to the Scan & Go feature, which allows them to scan and pay for items while shopping to bypass traditional checkout lines.