Does Walmart Accept Samsung Pay?

For anyone wondering whether you can use Samsung Pay while checking out at Walmart, the answer might surprise you. Despite the growing popularity of digital wallets and tap-to-pay methods, Walmart still doesn’t officially accept Samsung Pay at its U.S. stores. Instead, the retail giant continues to promote its own mobile payment solutionWalmart Pay.

Let’s break down why that is, what alternatives exist, and how you can still make mobile payments work at Walmart.

Walmart’s Official Policy

Walmart’s stance is clear: Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay are not accepted in-store. Instead, Walmart has its own mobile checkout system called Walmart Pay, integrated directly into the official Walmart app.

Rather than using NFC (Near Field Communication) like Samsung Pay, Walmart Pay relies on QR codes. At checkout, you simply open the app, scan the QR code displayed on the register screen, and your payment is processed using the credit, debit, or gift cards linked to your Walmart account.

This system is designed to be universal across all Walmart stores in the U.S., without needing contactless terminals.

Why Walmart Doesn’t Support Samsung Pay

The main reason Walmart doesn’t support Samsung Pay or any third-party digital wallet control. By using its own system, Walmart:

• Avoids paying fees to external payment networks.
  
• Keeps all transaction data within its ecosystem.
  
• Encourages shoppers to use its app for savings, rewards, and digital receipts.
  

It’s a strategic move that gives Walmart full control over the customer experience and helps it gather more insights into consumer behavior.

Does Samsung Pay Work Anyway?

Some Samsung users have reported occasional success using Samsung Pay at Walmart. This was mostly possible due to Samsung’s MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission) technology, which could mimic a physical card swipe on older terminals.

However, newer Walmart registers have phased out this compatibility. As a result, Samsung Pay tap-to-pay usually doesn’t work anymore, and it’s not supported by Walmart staff. In short, you might get lucky at certain locations, but it’s not something to rely on.

How You Can Pay with Your Phone at Walmart

If you want a contactless checkout experience, there are still a few options that work well:

1. Walmart Pay (recommended):
   Download the Walmart app, sign in, and link your preferred payment method. At checkout, scan the QR code and confirm payment through your phone. This works at every Walmart store.
   
2. Contactless Cards:
   Many Walmart terminals accept physical cards with tap-to-pay capability, even though they don’t allow mobile wallet taps.
   
3. Walmart.com Purchases:
   While Samsung Pay isn’t available online either, you can use any standard debit/credit card, PayPal, or Walmart gift card during checkout.
   
4. Gift Card Workaround:
   Some shoppers buy Walmart gift cards using Samsung Pay through other retailers, then use those cards in-store or online at Walmart.

Walmart Pay vs. Samsung Pay

In essence, Walmart Pay is the only guaranteed way to pay through your phone at the checkout counter.

Will Walmart Ever Accept Samsung Pay?

There’s no official confirmation yet. Walmart has made it clear that its focus remains on enhancing its own payment ecosystem. However, with mobile payments growing rapidly, industry experts believe that Walmart could eventually support NFC-based systems like Samsung Pay in the future, especially if customer demand continues to rise.

Final Thoughts

If you were hoping to tap your Galaxy phone at Walmart to pay through Samsung Pay, the short answer is no, not at this time. Walmart’s checkout system is built around its own app, and that’s unlikely to change soon.

Still, with Walmart Pay, you can enjoy a mobile checkout experience that’s simple, secure, and accepted at every location. It may not have the same convenience as Samsung Pay’s tap feature, but it does the job well and keeps your receipts and rewards all in one place.

See Also Does Ross Take Apple Pay? 

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