Event
Walmart and Sam’s Club will begin accepting Apple Pay and Google Pay at select locations on 24 August 2026. The company plans to roll out tap-to-pay functionality to all US stores by the end of 2026 and to gas stations by mid-2027. This marks a shift from Walmart’s previous reliance on its proprietary Walmart Pay QR code system.
2 published stories · artificial-intelligence · source reliability 67%
The US retail giant will begin accepting major mobile payment platforms at select locations on 24 August 2026, marking a significant shift from its reliance on in-house solutions.
Background
Walmart and Sam’s Club are ending their long-standing resistance to third-party mobile payment platforms. The retailer, which previously relied on its proprietary Walmart Pay QR code system and the short-lived CurrentC service, will begin accepting Apple Pay and Google Pay at select US locations. This move follows competitors such as Home Depot, which fully embraced tap-to-pay in 2024, and Subway and Walgreens, which supported Google Wallet as early as 2011. Apple Pay has been available in the market since 2014.
Walmart and Sam’s Club are ending their long-standing resistance to third-party mobile payment platforms. The retailer, which previously relied on its proprietary Walmart Pay QR code system and the short-lived CurrentC service, will begin accepting Apple Pay and Google Pay at sel
Fact cards
Key entities: Walmart, Sam’s Club, Apple Pay, Google Pay.
When does the initial rollout of Apple Pay and Google Pay begin? 24 August 2026 at select locations. When will all US stores support tap-to-pay? The company targets the end of 2026. When will gas stations support the new payment method? By mid-2027. What payment system did Walmar
The Verge | https://www.theverge.com/tech/983336/walmart-apple-google-pay-launch | published 2026-08-21T17:01:59.000Z | primary source | TechCrunch | https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/21/walmart-to-finally-start-accepting-apple-pay-and-google-pay | published 2026-08-21T14:30:23.000Z
2011: Subway and Walgreens begin supporting Google Wallet. 2014: Apple Pay becomes available in the market. 2016: Walmart launches its proprietary Walmart Pay QR code system. 2024: Home Depot fully embraces tap-to-pay functionality. 2026-08-24: Apple Pay and Google Pay launch at
Timeline
Subway and Walgreens begin supporting Google Wallet.
Apple Pay becomes available in the market.
Walmart launches its proprietary Walmart Pay QR code system.
Home Depot fully embraces tap-to-pay functionality.
Apple Pay and Google Pay launch at select Walmart and Sam’s Club locations.
Target date for tap-to-pay rollout to all US stores.
Target date for tap-to-pay rollout to gas stations.
FAQ
24 August 2026 at select locations.
The company targets the end of 2026.
By mid-2027.
The proprietary Walmart Pay QR code system.
Home Depot (2024), Subway, and Walgreens (2011).
The rollout is scheduled to reach all stores and Sam’s Club locations by the end of 2026.
Walmart states the move is intended to give consumers more choice at checkout, following long-standing customer requests for modern tap-and-pay technology.
Fuel stations are projected to support Apple Pay and Google Pay by the middle of 2027.