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Does Walmart Accept Google Pay & Apple Pay Options in 2024?

Last updated 03/15/2024 by

Benjamin Locke

Edited by

Fact checked by

Summary:
Google Pay and Apple Pay are two mobile payment systems that allow users to pay for products or services using their mobile phones. Does Walmart accept Google Pay As of 2022, Walmart does not support Google Pay or Apple Pay at its stores. It does this for several reasons, but primarily to encourage customers to download the Walmart Pay app.
Today, large parts of many of our financial lives revolve around our phones. This makes mobile payments the next logical step in how we pay for things after prior steps in the progression from cash to checks to cards. As mobile devices become more prevalent, increased use of mobile payment systems only makes sense. In the United States, two of the largest mobile payment services are Google Pay (Android) and Apple Pay (iOS). Currently, Walmart does not accept either Google Pay or Apple Pay for goods and services at its stores.
The primary reason that Walmart doesn’t allow the use of Google Pay and Apple Pay at its stores is to encourage payment using the Walmart Pay app. Buyers can download the Walmart Pay app at any app store, and they will usually link it to their debit card or credit card. The app allows Walmart to offer you the same awards that you would receive if you were to just use your credit cards. When customers use the Walmart Pay app, the retailer is able to gather data on its customers that it could not obtain if customers were making purchases via Google Pay or Apple Pay.

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Mobile Payments 101

Mobile payments and mobile wallets have become incredibly popular worldwide. In places like China, the majority of payment transactions are, in fact, done this way using either Alipay or WeChat Pay. To give you an idea of how the growth of mobile payments is set to explode, you just have to glimpse at the data.
There are currently 2.5 billion mobile wallet users globally. This is set to nearly double to 4.8 billion mobile wallet users by 2025. Most mobile payment systems use a technology called near-field communication (NFC) to operate. This is a chip-based technology that allows people to pay using a “contactless” payment method. Among the two most widely used payment methods are Google Pay and Apple Pay, both of which use NFC.

Google Pay

Google Pay was originally conceived with the launch of Google Wallet for Android devices in 2011. In 2018, Google announced that Google Wallet would join the various other payment offerings through the Google Pay branding.

Using Google Pay

People use Google Pay primarily for making contactless payments on various Android devices. Although iPhones are extremely popular in the U.S., versions of the Android operating system dominate the mobile-phone market globally. This means that, in terms of pure reach, Google Pay has a lot more upside on a global level than Apple Pay.
In case you’re curious: Samsung Pay is another mobile payment platform that people use with the Android operating system. Another payment option with many online merchants, not specific to Android, is Shop Pay.

Payment methods

Users of Google Pay can link many different payment methods to Google Pay. Visa, Mastercard, Discovery, American Express, and various other international credit cards are all accepted by Google Pay. Google Pay also allows you to link your bank account directly to the platform. The Google Pay user website will have a list of banks inside the United States that the app will support.

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Security

When you pay for something on Google Pay, it generates a unique encrypted number. Instead of your credit card details, the app uses this number with the vendor when registering your transaction. Google Pay will disable the virtual account information if there are issues with the user’s phone, such as a disabled screen lock.

Apple Pay

Apple started discussions of what would become the Apple Pay payment platform with Visa, Mastercard, and American Express in 2013. The latter three companies had already been exploring the possibility of using digital “tokens” for transactions in lieu of the traditional information sharing, so they were well prepared to partner with Apple on this project. The result was Apple Pay, which Tim Cook unveiled in September of 2014.

Using Apple Pay

Shoppers use Apple Pay for making contactless payments, primarily on devices using the iOS operating systems. Over 75% percent of stores in the United States currently support Apple Pay, and over 80% of stores in the UK accept it. Stores that accept Apple Pay will typically have a little Apple symbol close to the cash register.

Payment Methods

Apple Pay works for a variety of different credit cards and debit cards. They allow you to link your bank account through the Apple Card, which can then be linked to various bank accounts. Apple Pay works with federal payment-card systems, as well. This includes government programs such as Social Security and Veterans Benefits. All government cards listed through the Direct Payment Network and GSA SmartPay are compatible with Apple Pay.

Security

Apple Pay also generates a unique “token” or encrypted set of numbers that it provides to the vendor in lieu of traditional payment information. Apple also focuses on using two-factor authentication, though using it is not 100% required for Apple Pay users.

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Using Walmart Pay

The primary reason for Walmart limiting the use of Apple Pay and Google Pay in its stores is to encourage the use of Walmart Pay. Walmart Pay is a Walmart-specific app that can be downloaded from any app store.

How to use Walmart Pay

Currently, you can use Walmart Pay by linking it to the following accepted payment methods:
  1. Electronic benefits transfer
  2. Credit cards
  3. Debit cards
  4. Gift cards
  5. Capital One Walmart credit cards
  6. PayPal
  7. Affirm
Unlike Google Pay or Apple Pay, Walmart Pay does not allow you to link your checking account directly to the app. In most cases, people prefer to link Walmart Pay directly to their credit card or debit card. Walmart Pay also does not use NFC technology, making it generally less secure. However, this allows Walmart to collect more data on you for future payment purchases. So, how will Walmart Pay work with your data in the future? This is a question worth considering.
Customers use Walmart Pay by scanning QR Codes. They are asked to scan a QR code with their Walmart Pay app, then the payment goes through. Walmart Pay is also tied to the company’s various reward cards, such as Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard. You are also able to receive cash-back rewards when using Walmart Pay, as well as use Walmart gift cards.
Did someone say cash back? While this has nothing to do with cash-back rewards programs, the subject of “cash back” comes up a lot in relation to Walmart. So, just how much cash back can you get at Walmart when you need it? Follow the preceding link to find out. You can also get cash back at Family Dollar, in case you were wondering.

Reasons why you can’t use Google Pay or Apple Pay at Walmart

As Google Pay and Apple Pay are convenient and secure, why doesn’t Walmart allow them to be used in its many locations? There are primarily two reasons for this.

Encourage Walmart Pay

The principal reason Walmart disallows Google Pay and Apple Pay in its stores is to encourage shoppers to download Walmart Pay. Walmart wants you to use Walmart Pay as it want as many users of this app as possible. Walmart has much more leeway in what it does with Walmart Pay vs. Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Data collection

Apple Pay and Google Pay’s mission is to give vendors as little information as possible about the customer. This is why they create a digitized token rather than the normal transaction process that will take place with a credit card. Paying with a traditional credit card or the Walmart Pay app allows Walmart to collect significant amounts of information on its customers. This data can then be utilized by Walmart for analytics and marketing purposes.

FAQ

Where is Google Pay accepted?

Google Pay is accepted at a variety of different retailers that will also accept normal credit and debit cards. It’s best to ask the vendor.

Does Walmart accept Google tap to pay?

No, Walmart does not accept Google tap to pay.

Does Walmart take Google Pay or Apple Pay?

No, Walmart does not accept either Google Pay or Apple Pay.

Does Walmart allow you to pay with your phone?

Yes, if you select Walmart Pay from the app store, you can download it and use it to pay with your phone.

Can I use Google Pay at an ATM?

If the ATM uses NFC technology, then you can use Google Pay with an ATM.

Can I get cash back with Google Pay?

Yes, as long as Google Pay is linked to your enrolled card, you can get cash back.

Does Walmart do Apple Pay at self-checkout?

No, it does not.

How do I pay with my iPhone at Walmart?

You download Walmart Pay from the app store, then proceed to use it for payment.

Key takeaways

  • Walmart does not accept Google Pay or Apple Pay at its stores.
  • Apple Pay and Google Pay are two popular mobile payment systems being adopted worldwide. Both use NFC technology.
  • Walmart Pay lets you pay without having a Walmart account. You just need to download it and install it on your phone.
  • The reason Walmart provides Walmart Pay is to be able to have people pay with their phones, yet not have the vendor limits imposed by Apple Pay and Google Pay.

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