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Walmart finally starts supporting Apple Pay and Google Pay

Walmart ends its holdout on Apple and Google Pay, signaling a major shift toward frictionless mobile payments and integrated consumer financing.

Curated by Financing Your Way from original reporting by Modern Retail. Summary is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed — see our editorial standards.

FYWBy Financing Your Way EditorialAugust 21, 2026

Walmart is finally ending its long-standing holdout against third-party mobile wallets. By the end of this year, the retail giant will officially support Apple Pay and Google Pay across its U.S. stores. For years, Walmart prioritized its proprietary 'Walmart Pay' system to keep a tight grip on customer data and avoid the transaction fees associated with big tech mobile wallets. This shift marks a massive win for consumer convenience and signals that even the largest players can no longer ignore the demand for frictionless checkout. For retailers and operators, this move is a clear indicator of the 'standardization' of the checkout experience. If the world’s largest retailer can no longer justify forcing customers into a proprietary app, smaller merchants should take note. Modern consumers expect to pay with their phones without friction. Furthermore, the inclusion of Apple and Google Pay often serves as a gateway to integrated financing options, as both tech giants have embedded Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) features directly into their digital wallets. By enabling these payment methods, you aren't just changing the card reader; you are opening the door to the 'Pay Later' ecosystems that many younger shoppers now rely on to manage their budgets.

Source: Modern Retail

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