Why Walmart Still Won’t Accept Apple Pay in 2026

The Situation Today

Generally, I think it is pretty annoying that in 2026 Walmart is still one of the few big U.S. stores that wont let you use Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay. Obviously, most places let you just tap a card, but Walmart forces you to swipe or use cash at its 4,500+ locations. Usually, I walk in and cant even tap a credit card like everybody else, which is kinda frustrating.

Walmart’s Alternative: Walmart Pay and Scan & Go

Normally, instead of third-party wallets Walmart pushes its own tools, which feel a bit more clunky, you know. Below is a quick look:
Apparently, you have to add a card inside the app then scan a QR code at checkout, it works but feels like extra steps, kinda like doing math in your head.
Clearly, Walmart Pay is not the only option, they also have Scan & Go, which is available to Walmart+ members, allowing them to scan items as they shop, skipping the regular self-checkout, which is nice, but still no Apple Pay option though.

Why the Resistance?

Honestly, the real reason isnt just about tech, it’s about data, I believe. Walmart loves to track what you buy, how often, and which aisles you visit, it is pretty useful for them, I suppose. Basically, Apple Pay hides your real card numbers, making that tracking harder, so I think they just dont want to lose that insight, which is valuable to them.

A Growing Outlier

Currently, Apple Pay launched over a decade ago and now you can use it at more than 90% of U.S. retailers, which is a lot. Stores like Home Depot, Lowe’s, Kroger, and even H-E-B switched on recently, but Walmart stays stubbornly different, I mean, they are not changing their policy anytime soon.
Evidently, oddly enough Walmart does accept Apple Pay in Canada since 2020, but the U.S. shoppers still wait, which is kinda weird, I think.

What’s Next?

Probably, no sign of a policy change, so we keep using Walmart Pay, cash, or physical cards, I guess. Generally, I think the giant will keep focusing on its data game over convenience for now, which is their priority, apparently.
Obviously, it would be nice if they could change their policy, but I dont think that will happen anytime soon, so we just have to wait and see, I suppose.