Walmart Ditches QR Codes for Google Pay Tap-to-Pay

After years of resistance, Walmart is finally embracing NFC-based tap-to-pay technology. The retail giant has announced that it will be rolling out contactless payments using Google Pay at its stores across the US.

The rollout begins on August 24, with select stores and Sam's Club locations initially offering tap-to-pay functionality. By the end of 2026, all Walmart stores and Sam's Club warehouses should have tap-to-pay capabilities.

This marks a significant shift for Walmart, which has long preferred its proprietary QR-code-based Walmart Pay app. The company had been hesitant to adopt contactless payments due to concerns over transaction tracking and customer purchasing habits.