Apple Pay works at most major retailers, but not everywhere

Apple Pay is accepted at roughly 85% of retail locations in the United States, but that number masks a real gap: some stores you visit regularly may not take it yet. The stores that accept it fall into three groups: big chains that upgraded their payment terminals years ago, smaller businesses that chose to add it recently, and online retailers that built it into their checkout. The stores that don't accept it are usually older independent shops, some gas stations, and a handful of regional chains that haven't replaced their payment hardware.

You can tell whether a store takes Apple Pay before you walk in. Look for the contactless payment symbol — a curved wave that looks like a WiFi icon turned sideways — on the storefront, on the register, or on the store's website. If you don't see it, you can call ahead or ask at checkout. Many stores that don't advertise Apple Pay actually do accept it; their staff just don't mention it because the terminals support it but the signage wasn't updated.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple Pay works at any store with a contactless-enabled payment terminal, which you can identify by the curved wave symbol on the register or storefront.
  • Major chains like Target, Whole Foods, Starbucks, Walgreens, and most fast-food restaurants accept Apple Pay, but acceptance varies by location within the same chain.
  • Gas stations, grocery stores, and pharmacies accept Apple Pay at most locations, though some older pumps and registers may not support it yet.
  • Independent and regional retailers are less likely to accept Apple Pay unless they recently upgraded their payment terminals, so calling ahead is worth the time.
  • Online checkout on websites and apps often includes Apple Pay as an option even when the physical store does not.

Major chains that accept Apple Pay everywhere or almost everywhere

Target, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Starbucks, Chipotle, Panera, Chick-fil-A, McDonald's, Subway, Dunkin', Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart all accept Apple Pay at the vast majority of their locations. Costco is the major exception — it does not accept Apple Pay at checkout, though you can use it to pay for gas at Costco pumps. Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe's, and most other big-box retailers accept it as well.

The catch is that acceptance can still vary by individual store. A Target in one city might have updated terminals while a Target across town has not. If you're shopping at a chain you've never used Apple Pay at before, look for the contactless symbol or ask the cashier. Most chains completed their terminal upgrades between 2018 and 2022, so if a store is newer or recently renovated, Apple Pay almost certainly works there.

Gas stations and convenience stores

Most major gas station chains — Shell, Chevron, BP, Exxon, Speedway, and Murphy USA — accept Apple Pay at the pump and inside the store. Convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Circle K, and Casey's also accept it. However, some independent gas stations and older pumps may not support contactless payment yet, so the contactless symbol is your best guide.

If you're paying at the pump, look for the contactless symbol on the pump itself before you insert your card. If the pump doesn't have one, you'll need to go inside to pay. Some older pumps still require you to insert a card or pay inside, even at major chains, so don't assume every pump at a Shell or Chevron will take Apple Pay.

Grocery stores and supermarkets

Kroger, Safeway, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Publix, Albertsons, and most other large grocery chains accept Apple Pay at checkout. Smaller regional chains and independent grocers are less likely to have it, though many have added it in the past two years. Farmers markets and specialty food shops vary widely — some have mobile payment terminals that accept Apple Pay, while others only take cash.

Self-checkout lanes at grocery stores almost always support Apple Pay if the store accepts it at regular registers. If you're unsure, use the regular checkout line and ask the cashier, or look for the contactless symbol on the card reader before you scan your items.

Online shopping and app-based checkout

Apple Pay is available at checkout on most major retail websites and apps, including Amazon, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Gap, Nike, Sephora, and thousands of smaller online retailers. When you see the Apple Pay button at checkout — usually a black button with a white Apple logo — you can tap it to complete your purchase using your iPhone or Apple Watch without typing in your card number.

Online acceptance is much broader than in-store acceptance because retailers don't have to upgrade physical hardware. A small online boutique can accept Apple Pay with just a software update to their website. If you don't see an Apple Pay button, the site may still accept it through a digital wallet option or under a "more payment methods" menu, so scroll down before assuming it's not available.

Where Apple Pay still isn't accepted

Independent restaurants, local shops, and small businesses are the most likely places you won't find Apple Pay. Many of these businesses use older payment terminals that don't support contactless payment, and upgrading can cost several hundred dollars. Some business owners also prefer cash or traditional card payments for accounting reasons.

Certain regional chains and older stores also lag behind. Some regional grocery chains, local gas stations, and independent pharmacies still use older equipment. A few large retailers, like Costco, have chosen not to accept Apple Pay for business reasons (Costco has its own payment system and prefers Visa cards). If you're shopping somewhere you've never been, carrying a physical card or cash as backup is still the safest approach.

How to check before you go

The fastest way to know if a store takes Apple Pay is to look at its website or call ahead. Most major chains list accepted payment methods on their website or in their FAQ. You can also search "[store name] Apple Pay" to find recent information from other customers.

If you're already at a store and unsure, ask the cashier. Many stores accept Apple Pay but don't advertise it prominently, so staff can usually confirm whether the terminal supports it. If the cashier says no, you can ask if they have a contactless-enabled terminal — sometimes they do but aren't trained to mention it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Apple Pay at self-checkout?

Yes, at most stores that accept Apple Pay. Self-checkout lanes have the same contactless terminals as regular registers. Hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the card reader the same way you would at a staffed checkout. If the self-checkout doesn't work with Apple Pay, try a regular register or ask a staff member whether that location's terminals support it.

What if a store says it takes Apple Pay but my phone doesn't work?

First, make sure Apple Pay is set up on your phone and you have a card added to your Wallet app. Then check that your phone's NFC (contactless) feature is turned on — go to Settings and look for NFC under the Connectivity section. If NFC is on and Apple Pay is set up, try holding your phone a few inches closer to the reader, or ask the cashier to make sure their terminal is in contactless mode.

Do I need to unlock my phone to use Apple Pay?

On iPhone, you need to either unlock your phone with Face ID or Touch ID, or double-click the side button and authenticate. On Apple Watch, you just hold it near the reader — no unlock needed. This security step prevents someone else from using your phone to pay if they steal it.

Will Apple Pay work if my phone battery is dead?

No. Apple Pay requires your phone to be powered on and have enough battery to communicate with the terminal. If your battery is very low, your phone will show a low-battery warning and Apple Pay may stop working. Keep your phone charged if you plan to rely on Apple Pay for payment.

Can I use Apple Pay at stores that only take Visa or Mastercard?

Yes. Apple Pay works with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards. When you use Apple Pay, the store sees your card network (Visa, Mastercard, etc.), not the fact that you're using Apple Pay. So if a store takes your card, Apple Pay will work there as long as the terminal supports contactless payment.