Where you can use Apple Pay right now
Apple Pay works at most major retailers in the United States, but not everywhere. The fastest way to know if a store takes it: look for the contactless payment symbol (a curved wave) on the checkout terminal, or ask the cashier. If the terminal has that symbol, Apple Pay will work there.
Grocery stores that accept it include Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Kroger, Safeway, Albertsons, and Walmart. Target, Best Buy, CVS, Walgreens, and most Starbucks locations take it. Gas stations including Shell, Chevron, Exxon, and Murphy USA accept Apple Pay at the pump. Many smaller independent stores, local restaurants, and coffee shops also support it, though this varies by location and owner.
The catch: some large chains have their own payment systems or agreements that block Apple Pay at certain locations. Costco, for example, does not accept Apple Pay — it only takes Costco cards, Visa, or cash. Some Sam's Club locations accept it, but not all. A few regional grocery chains and smaller retailers may not have updated their terminals yet. The only way to be certain is to check at the register or call ahead.
Key Takeaways
- Look for the contactless payment symbol on the checkout terminal — if it is there, Apple Pay will work.
- Most major chains including Whole Foods, Target, Best Buy, CVS, Walgreens, and Starbucks accept Apple Pay, but some large retailers like Costco do not.
- Gas pumps at Shell, Chevron, Exxon, and Murphy USA support Apple Pay, though some regional stations may not.
- Independent stores and restaurants vary widely — asking the cashier or calling ahead takes 30 seconds and saves frustration at checkout.
How to pay with Apple Pay at the register
The process is the same at every store that accepts it. Hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the contactless reader on the terminal — usually the top or side. You do not need to open an app or unlock your phone. On iPhone, the payment screen appears automatically when you hold it close. On Apple Watch, press the side button twice, then hold the watch near the reader.
The terminal will beep or show a checkmark when the payment goes through. That is it. No signature, no PIN, no receipt to sign unless you ask for one. The whole transaction takes about two seconds. If the terminal does not respond, move your device slightly closer or try again — sometimes the reader is finicky about distance.
Stores that do not take Apple Pay
Costco is the most notable holdout. It accepts only Costco Visa cards, other Visa cards, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, and cash. No contactless payments of any kind. Sam's Club is inconsistent — some locations accept Apple Pay and some do not, depending on when their terminals were last updated.
Some regional grocery chains, local gas stations, and older independent retailers may not have contactless terminals yet. Dollar General, for example, does not accept Apple Pay at most locations. Aldi accepts it at some stores but not others. If you shop somewhere regularly and want to use Apple Pay, ask the manager whether their terminals support it — they may be planning an upgrade.
What happens if Apple Pay does not work
If you hold your device near the reader and nothing happens, the store either does not accept Apple Pay or the terminal is not working. Ask the cashier: "Does this terminal take contactless payments?" If they say no, you will need to use a physical card, mobile wallet from another provider, or cash.
If the cashier says yes but it still does not work, the terminal may be temporarily offline or the reader may be broken. Ask to try a different register if one is available. If that does not work either, pay another way and do not waste time troubleshooting at the register.
Online and app-based shopping with Apple Pay
Apple Pay also works for online purchases and in-app payments on websites and apps that support it. When you see an Apple Pay button at checkout — usually alongside credit card and PayPal options — you can tap it to pay without typing your card number. Your iPhone or Mac will ask you to confirm with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple Watch.
Many major retailers including Amazon, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, and most airline and hotel booking sites accept Apple Pay online. Smaller retailers vary. If you do not see an Apple Pay button, the site does not support it yet, and you will need to enter your card details the traditional way.
International use and travel
Apple Pay works in over 70 countries and regions, but acceptance varies widely. In the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and much of Europe, contactless payment is common and Apple Pay is widely accepted. In other countries, contactless terminals are less common or do not support Apple Pay.
Before traveling, check whether Apple Pay works in your destination. You can also add a local debit or credit card to your Apple Wallet if you have a bank account there. If you are visiting somewhere without widespread Apple Pay support, bring a physical card or cash as backup.
Privacy and security when using Apple Pay
Apple Pay does not share your actual card number with the store. Instead, it sends a one-time code that works only for that single transaction. The store never sees your name, card number, or full payment details — only that the payment went through. This makes Apple Pay more find than handing over a physical card, which a cashier could photograph or write down.
Your transaction history stays on your device and in your Apple account, not with the store. If you lose your iPhone or Apple Watch, you can remove your cards from that device remotely using Find My iPhone, and the cards will no longer work on that device. You can also turn off Apple Pay entirely in your device settings if you want to use a physical card instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to unlock my phone to use Apple Pay?
No. On iPhone, the payment screen appears automatically when you hold it near the reader. On Apple Watch, you press the side button twice, but you do not need to unlock anything. The device handles authentication on its own.
Can I use Apple Pay if my card is expired or suspended?
No. Apple Pay will not let you add an expired card to your Wallet, and if a card is suspended or closed, Apple Pay will reject the payment at the register. You will need to add a different card or pay another way.
What if the store charges me twice by accident?
Contact your bank or card issuer when ready. They can see the duplicate charge and reverse it. Keep your receipt from the store as proof. Most banks process refunds within one to three business days.
Can I use Apple Pay at self-checkout?
Yes, at most self-checkout terminals that have contactless readers. Hold your device near the reader the same way you would at a staffed register. Some older self-checkout systems do not have contactless capability yet, so you may need to use a physical card instead.
Is Apple Pay safe to use at unfamiliar stores?
Yes. Because the store never sees your actual card number, there is no card data for them to steal or misuse. Your bank or card issuer is responsible for fraud protection, just as they are with a physical card.