Walmart Still Doesn't Accept Apple Pay in the U.S. in 2026, Here's Why

Walmart Still Doesn't Accept Apple Pay in the U.S. in 2026, Here's Why

Walmart Still Doesn’t Accept Apple Pay in 2026—Here’s the Real Reason If you’ve ever tried tapping your iPhone to pay at a Walmart checkout in the U.S., you’ve likely been met with disappointment. As of early 2026, Walmart remains one of the last major American retailers that still doesn’t accept Apple Pay—or any NFC-based contactless payment like Google Pay or Samsung Pay. Even tapping your physical credit or debit card won’t work; the NFC readers at registers are simply turned off. Why? It’s not about technical limitations. It’s about data. Credit: Google While Apple Pay has become nearly ubiquitous—accepted at over 90% of U.S. retailers since 2022—Walmart continues to steer customers toward its own in-house payment systems: Walmart Pay and Scan & Go. And there’s a strategic reason behind that choice that goes far beyond convenience. Why Walmart Blocks Apple Pay (And Other Contactless Payments) At first glance, Walmart’s refusal to enable NFC payments seems puzzling. After all, compe…