A lot of Apple fans who also shop at Walmart are always curious to know Walmart’s policy on Apple Pay.
Apple Pay is a form of digital payment, and a quick way for iPhone users, Apple watch users, iPad users, and users of other Apple products to check out in-store and online.
Apple Pay replaces the use of credit cards and cash. It also has some benefits aside from being faster, easier, safer, and more secure.
Millions of websites, apps, and thousands of retail stores accept Apple Pay for the purchase of products both online and in-store.
Now the question is, Does Walmart Take Apple Pay for purchases of products either in-store, online, or both? In this article, we will discuss whether or not Walmart accepts Apple Pay and the benefits of using it. Also, alternative modes of payment on Walmart and how to use them for purchases will be discussed. Have a nice read!
What is Apple Pay?
Apple Pay is an online payment system created by Apple Inc. that allows you to make purchases with your Apple devices. With Apple Pay, you can use your iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, or Mac to make secure payments in stores, within apps, and on the web.
Apple Pay is a mobile payment service provided by Apple. It allows all users of Apple products to make contactless payments using iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and MacBook. Apple pay is a substitute for credit and debit cards. Apple Inc. in its description calls it money that has been made modern.
Apple Pay works with your existing credit and debit cards, and you can also set up Apple Cash, a peer-to-peer payment system.
The setup is quite easy.
Customers who wish to use Apple Pay just have to add their credit or debit card information to the Wallet app on their iPhone, and then, Apple Pay is ready for use on all connected Apple devices belonging to the customer.
Apple Pay works on Apple-authorized devices by making the devices communicate wirelessly using Near Field Communication (NFC) with the point of sale system. Two-factor authentication using either the Face ID, Touch ID, passcode, or PIN is required to complete payments of purchases when using Apple Pay.
Most other forms of payment are accepted at Walmart but NFC technology which Apple Pay uses is not currently supported at Walmart stores.
Does Walmart Take Apple Pay for Purchases?
No, Walmart does not accept Apple Pay for purchases.
Walmart is faced with numerous requests from IPhone users to accept Apple Pay as a payment method at Walmart online stores and in-store.
Unfortunately, Walmart does not take Apple Pay for payment of purchases both online and in-store.
Apple Pay uses Near Field Communication (NFC) to authorize payments, but Walmart does not accept NFC-authorized payments for its purchases at the moment.
Users of Apple devices would need to download the Walmart App to pay for purchases either on Walmart online stores or at the actual store.
Why does Walmart Reject Apple Pay for Purchases?
Most stores accept Apple Pay for payments of purchases. However, Walmart does not take Apple Pay for payment of purchases.
This begs the question of why Walmart rejects Apple Pay for payment of purchases. There are a few reasons Walmart does not take Apple Pay. Some of them have been explained below.
- Walmart’s alternative to Apple Pay
The major reason Walmart does not take Apple Pay is because it has an alternative payment platform. Walmart has Walmart Pay App, an alternative that works similarly to Apple Pay.
If Walmart takes Apple Pay to allow customers to pay for purchases with it, the decision will affect the number of Walmart customers that use Walmart pay since they serve almost the same purpose.
- Decrease in Walmart Revenue
Using Apple Pay will mean a decrease in revenue for Walmart. If Walmart accepts Apple pay, Apple Inc. will get more revenue as Walmart customers use it. This will in turn reduce Walmart’s revenue made on the use of Walmart Pay by its customers.
Acceptance of Apple Pay will have a declining effect on the use of Walmart Pay, an alternative to Apple Pay.
- Data Collection hampering
If Walmart takes Apple Pay, it will hamper its data collection of customers. When customers make purchases online or using other Walmart-enabled platforms, Walmart collects the data of its customers so it can provide a personalized shopping experience for them.
A personalized shopping experience enables an easy and convenient shopping experience for customers.
- Nonsupport for NFC technology
Although it is not the main reason Walmart does not take Apple Pay, it still stands as a reason. Walmart currently does not support near-field communication technology for payment of store purchases. Walmart however supports the Quick Response (QR) code technology as seen in its alternative to Apple Pay for payment of store purchases.
- Cost
Walmart is a large retailer that is focused on keeping costs low for its customers. By not accepting Apple Pay, Walmart can avoid transaction fees that are typically associated with using the Apple Pay payment system.
- Competition
Walmart is a direct competitor of Apple Pay and by not accepting Apple Pay for purchases, Walmart is attempting to drive more customers to use its own payment system.
- Security
Walmart may not feel comfortable with the security measures that Apple Pay has in place. Walmart may prefer to use its own payment system, which it believes is more secure.
- Data Access
Walmart may not want to share customer data with Apple. By not accepting Apple Pay, Walmart can keep that data to itself.
- Branding
Walmart is a large retailer and it may wish to control the image of its brand. By not accepting Apple Pay, Walmart may be attempting to create a more unified brand image.
What form of payment is accepted by Walmart?
Walmart accepts a lot of payment options. It also provides an easy, fast, and secure checkout alternative to Apple Pay known as Walmart Pay.
Aside from Walmart Pay, Walmart also accepts all major credit cards including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover, as well as debit cards, cash, PayPal, Venmo, Affirm, Chase pay, EBT card and Walmart gift cards.
When will Walmart take Apple Pay?
From the reasons stated above, it can be deduced that if Walmart takes Apple Pay, it will have a negative effect on the use of Walmart Pay. So, it can be stated that Walmart will not take Apple Pay now or in the near future unless it ditches Walmart Pay and decides to consider Apple Pay.
Also, Walmart takes the forefront in the Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX), a group of retailers working on their mobile payment operation, according to Business Insider.
MCX members including Walmart are obliged by contract to use only MCX’s mobile payment solution, an alternative to Apple Pay like Walmart Pay, and shut down support for Apple Pay. This explains another reason Walmart may never adopt the use of Apple Pay.
Related Article:
Does Walmart Accept Google Pay?
Does Walmart Accept Samsung Pay?
Does Walmart accept Afterpay and Buy Now, Pay Later
How to use Walmart Pay to pay for purchases
Unlike Apple Pay, Walmart Pay is for both Android and Apple devices. It is free and easy to use as well.
Here is how to use walmart pay to pay for purchases:
- Open the Walmart app on your mobile device and log in.
- Select the Walmart Pay option from the menu.
- Scan the QR code at the register with your device.
- Select the payment method you would like to use (e.g., credit card, debit card, or Walmart gift card).
- Confirm the payment amount and enter your PIN.
- Your payment is complete and your receipt will be sent to your email.
Also, you do not have to worry about receipts. When you pay for your purchases at Walmart stores using Walmart Pay, your receipts are automatically saved to your account.
They are called e-receipts and can always be found any time you log into your Walmart account.
Follow the step below to know how to set up Walmart Pay
- Download the Walmart App on your Android or Apple device.
- Open the app.
- Create a Walmart account if you do not have one.
- Sign in to your Walmart account.
- Tap Walmart Pay.
- Enter your loaded credit cards, debit cards, or gift cards, if you have not entered them before.
- Choose the card you want to use with Walmart Pay.
- Set up a PIN to be used to check out by you.
- For extra security or quicker access, you can set up a Touch ID as well.
Note: You can change the preferred card to use with Walmart Pay anytime. Also, you can add and remove any payment method anytime you want.
Steps to use Walmart Pay in store
- Get all the items you need and shop as you would normally.
- Scan all items at checkout.
- Open the Walmart app on your smartphone.
- Sign in to your Walmart account or create one if you don’t already have one.
- Select the “Payment” option.
- Select the “Walmart Pay” option.
- Allow the app to access your location.
- Scan the QR code at the register using your phone’s camera.
- Select the payment method you want to use (e.g. debit/credit card, Walmart Gift Card, etc.).
- Confirm your payment.
- Present the on-screen barcode at the register for the cashier to scan.
- Your purchase will be processed and you’re all set!
Note:
- Walmart Pay can not be used at Walmart fuel pumps or Murphy USA gas stations.
- You can not use Walmart Pay to receive cash backs at the checkout in Walmart stores.
- Gift cards are automatically used for payment first unless the feature has been disabled.
Stores that take Apple Pay
Over 85 percent (85%) of retail stores accept Apple Pay. So if you want to use Apple Pay to pay for your purchases at any store, you should inquire with the customer service department first before proceeding to get the items you want or need. A few of the stores that take Apple Pay are:
- Acme Markets
- Shop N Save
- Food Maxx
- Target
- Costco
- Super Value
- Public
- IKEA
- Albertsons
- Safe way
- Winn Dixie
- Save Mart
- Whole Foods Market
- Schnucks
- Walgreens and many more.
How do I pay with an iPhone at Walmart?
Since Apple Pay is not accepted for payment of purchases at Walmart, you can pay with an iPhone on Walmart using Walmart Pay.
So, you can download the Walmart Pay App (download for IOS users and download for android users), sign up and start transacting as explained above.
Final Thoughts
Walmart does not take Apple Pay for payment of purchases. However, Walmart has an alternative known as Walmart Pay that works similarly to Apple Pay.
Apple Pay like Walmart Pay is free and easy to use. Apple Pay is restricted to Apple devices while Walmart Pay can be used on both Android and Apple devices.
On the other hand, Walmart Pay can only be used in Walmart stores while Apple Pay is accepted in a lot of other stores and platforms.
