Does Walmart Accept Google Pay & Samsung Pay?

The short answer is no – Walmart does not directly accept Google Pay or Samsung Pay for in-store or online purchases. Instead, the retailer has their own mobile payment app called Walmart Pay.

I know it can be frustrating when your favorite payment app doesn‘t work at a major store! In this detailed guide, I‘ll explain everything you need to know about mobile payments at Walmart. You‘ll learn:

Why Walmart doesn‘t take Google/Samsung Pay
How Walmart Pay works and its benefits
How to pay with your phone at Walmart
What other payment methods are accepted

By the end, you‘ll be a Walmart payment expert!

Why Doesn‘t Walmart Accept Google Pay or Samsung Pay?

With mobile wallet usage growing rapidly, why are two of the biggest digital payment platforms not accepted at America‘s largest retailer?

There are a few key reasons why Walmart doesn‘t take Google and Samsung Pay:

Data Collection

When you use Google Pay or Samsung Pay, Walmart does not get any information about your shopping habits and purchases.

Retailers really value collecting customer data as it allows them to deliver targeted promotions, improve the shopping experience, and boost loyalty.

Without access to this data, Walmart loses out on marketing opportunities and developing personalized offerings.

Promoting Their Own App

Walmart wants customers to adopt their proprietary Walmart Pay app rather than Google/Samsung Pay.

The Walmart app gives the retailer much more control over the payment process and ability to integrate rewards programs, coupons, etc.

It also allows Walmart to build deeper relationships with customers and turn them into loyal Walmart shoppers through app-exclusive deals.

Works on Almost Any Smartphone

Here‘s a technical reason – Walmart Pay uses QR code technology that is compatible with nearly every smartphone model.

Meanwhile, Google Pay and Samsung Pay rely on NFC (near field communication) which requires newer phone models with specific hardware.

By using QR codes, Walmart Pay can be used by anyone with a smartphone, not just those with the latest devices.

Added Security Benefits

Walmart states that their QR code system offers more security than NFC payments.

When you use Google or Samsung Pay, your actual credit/debit card details are transmitted via NFC to complete the transaction.

With Walmart Pay, no sensitive financial information is exchanged over the air. The QR code simply contains basic transaction details.

So in essence, Walmart wants all the customer data for itself, control over the payment flow, broad smartphone compatibility, and enhanced security.

A Quick Intro to Walmart Pay and How It Works

Walmart Pay is the retailer‘s own mobile payment system that lives within the Walmart app. Here‘s an overview of how it works:

To set it up, you download the Walmart app on your iPhone or Android device. Then under the Services menu, select Walmart Pay.

You can securely store any major credit/debit card in your Walmart Pay wallet. When you‘re ready to pay in-store, open the app and scan the unique QR code displayed at the checkout register.

That‘s it! The cashier will be notified that the payment went through and you‘ll receive a digital receipt.

It‘s really that quick and easy to pay with your phone at Walmart thanks to the barcode technology. No swiping or tapping required.

Some of the top benefits of using Walmart Pay include:

Speed – Checkout is fast with just a code scan. No need to pull out your physical wallet.
Rewards Integration – Walmart Pay is tied to their loyalty programs for earning perks.
Security – Payments are made via QR code rather than wireless card transmission.
Wide Compatibility – Works on both iPhones and Androids as old as the iPhone 5 or Android 5.0.

Now you can see why Walmart is heavily promoting their own payment app over Google or Samsung Pay. But how exactly do these three mobile wallets stack up?

Walmart Pay vs. Google Pay vs. Samsung Pay: A Detailed Comparison

Although they all allow you to checkout with your smartphone, here are some key differences between the major mobile payment platforms:

Payment System	How It Works	Pros	Cons
Walmart Pay	Displays unique QR code to scan at checkout. No financial data transmitted.	Works on any smartphone, built-in Walmart rewards, highly secure.	Only accepted at Walmart, can‘t reuse codes.
Google Pay	Uses NFC to wirelessly transmit payment data when tapped at terminal.	Accepted at most contactless terminals, rewards integration, well-known brand.	Requires newer NFC-enabled smartphone.
Samsung Pay	Like Google Pay, relies on NFC transmission. Also works at older magstripe terminals.	Accepted nearly everywhere, deep rewards program, works on latest Samsung devices.	Limited to select Samsung phones only.

To dig deeper into how they stack up:

Walmart Pay

Technology: QR codes rather than NFC
Where it‘s accepted: Only works at Walmart
Devices compatible: Any smartphone with camera
Perks: Built-in Walmart rewards
Ease of use: Simple app, easy checkout

Google Pay

Technology: NFC wireless transmission
Where it‘s accepted: Any contactless payment terminal
Devices compatible: NFC-enabled Android devices
Perks: Rewards via linked cards
Ease of use: Quick tap to pay

Samsung Pay

Technology: NFC plus special magstripe emulator
Where it‘s accepted: NFC + old swipe terminals
Devices compatible: Newer Samsung Galaxy phones
Perks: Solid rewards program
Ease of use: Swipe up to pay quickly

As you can see, each service has its own advantages based on the technology used and where it‘s accepted. But the bottom line is that only Walmart Pay works at Walmart.

By The Numbers: The State of Mobile Payments

Mobile wallets like Walmart Pay are growing rapidly in popularity and adoption among US consumers:

81 million Americans used proximity mobile payments in 2020, a 6% increase from the prior year.
Usage is expected to reach 98 million people by 2024 as more retailers offer contactless checkout.
72% of proximity mobile payment users say the speed and convenience are the main benefits over physical cards.
$131 billion in transactions occurred via proximity mobile payments in 2020 in the US.
Walmart Pay alone saw over 350 million transactions in 2020, more than double the prior year.

Clearly, shoppers are becoming more and more comfortable with "paying with their phones". Walmart is ahead of the game having launched their service in 2011, years before Apple Pay or Google Pay existed.

And while NFC-based solutions like Apple Pay dominate usage, QR code payments are rapidly gaining steam:

29.5 million Americans used QR code payments in 2020.
By 2025, QR payment transaction value is forecast to hit $2.7 trillion globally as cheaper hardware costs drive adoption.
58% of consumers prefer QR codes over NFC due to better security and universal smartphone compatibility.

So even though QR codes have been around for years, they are being revived as a popular mobile payment method – led by Walmart Pay‘s widespread integration.

Other Ways You Can Pay at Walmart

While Walmart doesn‘t accept Google Pay or Samsung Pay (yet!), you still have plenty of payment options:

Plastic Cards

Walmart welcomes all major credit cards and debit/ATM cards at checkout. This includes Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards.

Your best bet is a rewards credit card you can rack up cash back on Walmart purchases with.

Gift Cards

Physical and eGift cards make great gifts for Walmart fans. Buy them online or head to any Walmart store to purchase gift cards. You can redeem Walmart gift cards via Walmart Pay too.

PayPal

Link your PayPal account to Walmart Pay or enter your PayPal details directly at online or in-store checkout. PayPal QR codes also work at Walmart registers.

Cash

Good old cash is always accepted at Walmart and gives you complete anonymity. No need to worry about whether your mobile payment app works.

Affirm

If you need financing on a bigger Walmart purchase, Affirm lets you split repayments over 3, 6, or 12 months with 0% APR when approved.

Chase Pay

For those with eligible Chase cards, you can use the Chase Pay wallet and QR code at Walmart too.

Walmart does not accept:

Apple Pay
Google Pay
Samsung Pay
Venmo
Cash App
Payment apps from other retailers

Stick with physical cards, Walmart Pay, gift cards, and you‘ll be all set to check out!

Can You Get Cash Back with Walmart Pay?

One awesome benefit of Walmart Pay is that you can get cash back when using it to checkout. Here are some of the easiest ways to get cash:

Pay with a debit card – Just select "Cash Back" on the pin pad when you scan your Walmart Pay QR code.
Link a Capital One Walmart Rewards Card – You can earn up to 5% back to redeem for cash.
Load a Walmart gift card – Add funds via the app, then withdraw cash at checkout.
Pay taxes in-store – Pay your IRS bill via the IRS2Go app and get cash back up to $1000.
Use Walmart Grocery Pickup – Select "Pay with Cash" when you order groceries online for pickup.

Getting cash along with your Walmart Pay digital receipt is super convenient. No need to visit the ATM beforehand if you plan ahead with one of these options.

The Future of Mobile Payments at Walmart

While Walmart currently only accepts their own app, there are signs that Google Pay and Samsung Pay could come eventually:

Job Listings – Walmart has posted openings for engineers with experience rolling out Google Pay and Samsung Pay, suggesting expansion plans.
Industry Pressure – As more retailers accept these mainstream mobile wallets, Walmart may cave to consumer demand.
POS Improvements – With investments in store systems, supporting new payment tech like NFC will get easier.
Pilot Programs – Walmart could test accepting Google/Samsung Pay in select regions before going nationwide.

So while Walmart Pay still reigns supreme, don‘t be shocked if Google Pay and Samsung Pay join the accepted payment lineup in the next few years.

The Bottom Line

Hopefully this guide cleared up any confusion around using mobile payments at Walmart! While you can‘t yet use Google Pay or Samsung Pay, Walmart has their own robust mobile app.

The key takeaways:

Walmart does not directly accept Google Pay or Samsung Pay at this time.
They have their own app called Walmart Pay that uses QR code technology.
It‘s easy to set up and use, works on any smartphone, and supports Walmart rewards.
You can still pay via plastic cards, PayPal, gift cards, cash and more.
Walmart Pay offers a quick, secure mobile checkout experience.

Let me know if you have any other questions about paying with your phone at Walmart. I‘m happy to help Walmart shoppers like you navigate your payment options.