Walmart is beginning a phased rollout of tap-to-pay checkout at select U.S. Walmart stores and Sam’s Club locations on Aug. 24, a move that will let shoppers use eligible contactless cards, phones and smartwatches at the register. The retailer says the service will reach all U.S. stores and clubs by the end of 2026.
The announcement gives Walmart customers a new way to pay without inserting a card or handing it to a cashier. Shoppers with a contactless-enabled credit or debit card can tap the card directly, while customers using a compatible phone or smartwatch can pay through a supported digital wallet. Walmart and Sam’s Club cards, along with OnePay cards, can also be added to mobile wallets for contactless use.
The rollout is not scheduled to arrive everywhere at once. Walmart said the first locations will receive the capability beginning Aug. 24, with the wider store and club deployment continuing through the end of the year. Customers may therefore see different payment options depending on the location and the point-of-sale equipment in use.
Walmart also outlined a longer-term expansion for fuel purchases. Contactless payment is expected to reach Walmart and Sam’s Club fuel stations by mid-2027. That timetable puts the initial emphasis on in-store checkout, followed by a later rollout for customers paying at pumps.
The company’s announcement comes as large retailers continue to make mobile and contactless checkout more routine. For shoppers, the practical question is whether a nearby store has received the update and whether their card or device supports contactless payments. Walmart advises customers to look for the contactless symbol and follow the prompts on the payment terminal.
The new Walmart tap to pay option will be available without replacing existing payment methods. Customers can still use physical cards, cash and other accepted options while the rollout continues. The retailer’s stated goal is to make contactless checkout available across its U.S. store and club network by the end of 2026.
