Walmart to accept Apple Pay and contactless payments nationwide

Walmart has announced it will begin accepting contactless tap-to-pay methods, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, ending a long-standing resistance to NFC-based mobile payments. The rollout is scheduled to begin at select Walmart and Sam’s Club locations on August 24, 2026.

The company plans a phased implementation, aiming to have tap-to-pay available at all U.S. Walmart stores and Sam’s Clubs by the end of 2026. Fuel stations are expected to receive the upgrade by mid-2027. Customers will also be able to add eligible Walmart, Sam’s Club, and OnePay cards to their digital wallets.

This shift marks a significant change in strategy for the retailer, which had previously prioritized its own proprietary payment systems, such as Walmart Pay and Scan & Go. The new contactless options will complement existing payment methods, including cash, traditional credit and debit cards, and the existing QR-code-based Walmart Pay system.