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Walmart Just Made a Surprising Change Millions of Shoppers Will Love

Walmart is finally embracing tap-to-pay, making checkout easier.

By Amanda Machado , Edited by Calista Headrick

Updated Sept. 23, 2026

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For years, Walmart shoppers who preferred Apple Pay or another familiar tap-to-pay service had a problem because Walmart did not accept it at checkout. That made the retailer a surprising holdout as contactless payments became an increasingly routine part of everyday shopping. For customers accustomed to paying with a phone or smartwatch, the limitation was especially frustrating when they reached the register without a physical card.

That is finally changing. Walmart announced on August 21 that it is introducing Tap to Pay, including Apple Pay, at select Walmart and Sam's Club locations beginning August 24. The retailer plans to expand the service to all U.S. stores and clubs by the end of 2026, followed by fuel stations by mid-2027. Here are the Walmart shopping hacks shoppers should know about the long-awaited checkout change.

Editor's note: All Walmart rollout details in this article come from Walmart's August 21, 2026 announcement and the Delish report published August 22, 2026.

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Apple Pay is finally coming to Walmart

The biggest headline for many shoppers is the addition of Apple Pay. Walmart says its new Tap to Pay system supports eligible contactless cards, phones, and smartwatches, which means shoppers with compatible devices have another straightforward way to complete a purchase.

That matters because a growing number of consumers already keep payment cards in a digital wallet. Rather than opening another retailer-specific app or reaching into a purse or wallet for a physical card, shoppers may simply use the payment method they already rely on at other stores.

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The first stores started on August 24

The rollout is not happening everywhere at once. Walmart says Tap to Pay began arriving at select Walmart stores and Sam's Club locations on August 24, just three days after the announcement. That means shoppers should not assume every store has the feature immediately, particularly during the early stages of the rollout.

Still, the initial launch is a big shift in Walmart's payment strategy. Rather than treating contactless checkout as something available only through its own system, the retailer is opening the door to widely used digital payment methods.

All U.S. Walmart stores are targeted for 2026

For shoppers who do not see a Tap to Pay option yet, the wait is not expected to last indefinitely. Walmart says it plans to bring the feature to all U.S. Walmart stores and Sam's Club locations by the end of 2026.

That nationwide target is important for people who shop at several Walmart locations. Someone who travels between two cities, visits family in another state, or simply shops at different stores throughout the year should eventually have a more consistent checkout experience. Until the expansion is complete, though, the availability of contactless payments may still depend on the individual location.

Walmart is giving shoppers more choice

Walmart framed the change around flexibility rather than replacing its existing payment options. In its announcement, the retailer said, "We want customers and members to have choice in how they pay, so they can check out in the way that works best for them."

That distinction is worth noting. Shoppers who enjoy using Walmart Pay do not need to abandon it, while customers who prefer a physical credit card, cash, or another supported method still have those choices. Walmart says Tap to Pay is being added alongside its existing options rather than eliminating them.

Walmart Pay is still available

Walmart's own payment system is not disappearing with the arrival of Apple Pay. Walmart Pay remains available through the retailer's app, which also provides access to purchase information and receipts. Walmart says the app offers additional functions, including Walmart+ fuel savings.

For longtime Walmart customers, that means there is no need to learn an entirely new checkout system unless they want to. Shoppers who already have Walmart Pay set up may continue using it, while those who have always preferred Apple Pay gain another option.

The change also applies to Sam's Club

The announcement extends beyond Walmart stores. Sam's Club locations are included in the initial rollout, giving members another way to pay during their warehouse shopping trips. That is notable because Sam's Club already offers other technology-focused checkout conveniences, including Scan & Go.

For Sam's Club members who use their phones throughout the shopping process, adding a familiar contactless payment method could make the overall experience more stress-free and easy.

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Fuel stations have a longer wait

There is one important catch for Walmart shoppers who were hoping to use tap-to-pay at the pump right away. Walmart says Tap to Pay is planned for its fuel stations by mid-2027, meaning the fuel side of the rollout is scheduled to happen after the in-store expansion.

That staggered schedule is easy to overlook because the store rollout is happening much sooner. For now, anyone specifically interested in contactless payment for fuel should expect a separate timeline. The mid-2027 target also suggests shoppers should not assume that a store offering Tap to Pay automatically means every Walmart payment terminal, including its fuel pumps, has been updated.

Bottom line

Walmart's new Tap to Pay rollout is a relatively small technological change that could make a surprisingly noticeable difference for regular shoppers looking to save on groceries. After years of standing apart from much of the retail industry on contactless payments, the company is finally bringing Apple Pay and other eligible digital wallet options into its checkout experience.

Select Walmart and Sam's Club locations started receiving the feature on August 24; all U.S. stores and clubs are targeted for the end of 2026, and Walmart fuel stations are slated for mid-2027. Until every location is updated, keeping a backup payment method handy is advised.

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