Walmart Surrenders in Tap-to-Pay War, Will Start Accepting Google Pay

Walmart has made a surprise move by announcing its acceptance of Google Pay at all US stores, marking a shift from its previous stance as a holdout in the tap-to-pay market.

The retail giant has historically rejected tap-to-pay payments, including Google Pay and Apple Pay, instead opting for its own in-house payment solution. However, this decision appears to be part of Walmart's efforts to make managing and using money easier for customers.

The company plans to roll out support across all US stores by the end of the year, with some availability expected as early as next week. This move is seen as a concession that Walmart did not have the market presence to force consumers to change their payment habits.

In addition to in-store purchases, Walmart also plans to expand tap-to-pay support to its gas stations sometime in 2027.