If you’ve ever reached the checkout line at Walmart, pulled out your phone to tap-to-pay, and suddenly remembered you had to dig around for a physical card—you’re far from alone. For years, the retail giant’s lack of contactless smartphone payment options has been one of the most talked-about everyday pet peeves for shoppers.
Now, that has finally changed.
As of August 24, 2026, Walmart and Sam’s Club have officially rolled out Tap to Pay across select locations, allowing customers to check out using eligible contactless credit/debit cards, smartphones, and smartwatches (including Apple Pay and Google Wallet).
Key rollout timeline
- Late August 2026: Select Walmart and Sam’s Club locations go live
- By end of 2026: Full nationwide rollout across all U.S. stores and clubs
- By mid-2027: Tap to Pay arriving at all Walmart and Sam’s Club fuel stations
Until now, shoppers were forced to rely on cash, physical plastic, or the Walmart Pay feature inside the store’s app.
While existing options like Walmart Pay and Sam’s Club Scan & Go will remain available, the addition of universal Tap to Pay brings the chain in line with standard modern checkout convenience. The company shared in a statement:
We want customers and members to have choice in how they pay, so they can check out in the way that works best for them.
Where to find the closest Walmarts to NYC
Because there are famously zero Walmart locations within NYC’s five boroughs, local shoppers usually have to cross a bridge, take a tunnel, or head out to Long Island to get their fix.
If you want to test out the new Tap to Pay feature, these are the closest full-service Walmart Supercenters just outside the city limits:
- Secaucus, NJ (400 Park Pl): Just under 9 miles from Midtown Manhattan, making it the most accessible location for commuters via the Lincoln Tunnel or NJ Transit buses out of Port Authority
- North Bergen, NJ (2100 88th St): Roughly 10 miles out, this spot is usually the quickest option for residents in Upper Manhattan or the West Bronx
- Bayonne, NJ (500 Bayonne Crossing Way): About 11 miles from Lower Manhattan, serving as an easy drive for anyone coming from Downtown, Western Brooklyn, or Staten Island
- Valley Stream, NY (77 Green Acres Rd): Situated right on the Nassau County border, this Long Island Supercenter is the top choice for shoppers in Queens or Eastern Brooklyn
- Albany, NY (141 Washington Ave Ext): Though not right next door, this two-story, 260,000-square-foot location is under 3 hours from NYC—and holds the title of the largest Walmart in the entire United States (complete with a “cart-alator” shopping cart escalator)
Whether you’re making a quick grocery run or picking up home essentials, your wallet just got a little lighter.