How To Set Up Walmart Pay: A Step-By-Step Guide

Many businesses today are trying to resolve the burden of carrying physical cash around in order to make payments on purchases. It is for this reason that they turn to creating applications that enable their customers to make payments on purchases online and also in stores. 

Customers who want to shop online or in person can easily use these platforms in order to gain time and flexibility. Many of these apps, like SHEIN and Walmart, are examples of businesses that accept digital payments and also, in return, give bonuses to clients on purchased items.

Digital wallets like Walmart Pay, which is part of the Walmart app, allow you to link up your card details, and by so doing, you can simply pay for any purchases made at Walmart stores by simply clicking. No need to carry cash or cards around, but just a phone with your Walmart Pay app.

If you want to use Walmart Pay but don't know how it works or want to make purchases at a Walmart store but are wondering if you can use the Walmart Pay app to make payments at Walmart, then this article is here to guide you.

What Is Walmart Pay?

Walmart Pay is a mobile payment feature inside the Walmart app that allows customers to pay for in-store Walmart purchases using their smartphone.

Instead of handing your card to the cashier or inserting it into the payment terminal, you open Walmart Pay and scan the QR code displayed on the register.

After you download Walmart Pay, you can use it to link up your credit card, debit card, or even Walmart gift card details. 

It is important to note that Walmart Pay is a component of the Walmart mobile app, which is available for Android and iOS devices.

You can link up cards like Visa, MasterCard, gift cards, American Express, eGift Cards, prepaid cards, and Discover credit cards to Walmart Pay.

How to Set Up Walmart Pay

Walmart Pay is built into the Walmart app and uses a QR code at the register rather than NFC/contactless card technology. Walmart says you can use saved credit cards, debit cards, and Walmart gift cards with the service.

Before getting started, you will need:

• The Walmart app on an Android or iOS device
• A Walmart.com account
• A valid credit card, debit card, or Walmart gift card
• Your phone to access Walmart Pay at checkout

Walmart's terms state that a Walmart.com account is required to use Walmart Pay and receive eReceipts.

How to Set Up Walmart Pay

1. Download the Walmart app.

Install the official Walmart app on your smartphone.

If you already have the app, make sure you're signed into your Walmart account.

2. Sign in or create a Walmart account.

Open the app and sign in.

If you don't have an account, Walmart currently allows you to create one using your email address or mobile phone number. Walmart requires verification of the phone number during account creation.

3. Add your payment card

Once you are signed in, go to: Account → Settings → Wallet → Add new payment method

Choose the type of payment method you want to add and enter the requested information.

Walmart also allows you to scan a card using your phone's camera instead of manually entering the card details.

4. Open Walmart Pay

From the Walmart app, select Walmart Pay.

Walmart's instructions indicate that previously saved credit cards, debit cards, and gift cards can appear as available payment methods.

5. Choose your preferred payment method.

Select the card or gift card you want Walmart Pay to use.

You can change your preferred payment method later if necessary.

If you have a Walmart gift card balance, Walmart says that balance is normally used first unless you turn that option off.

6. Set up your Walmart Pay security.

Walmart's instructions have included setting up a PIN for Walmart Pay, with biometric authentication such as Touch ID available on supported devices.

Follow the security prompts displayed in your current version of the Walmart app.

How to Use Walmart Pay at Checkout

Once Walmart Pay is set up, using it at a Walmart store is straightforward.

Step 1: Shop normally.

Choose the products you want and proceed to any checkout lane or self-checkout.

Step 2: Scan your products.

Scan your items as you normally would.

Step 3: Open Walmart Pay.

Open the Walmart app and select Walmart Pay.

Depending on your device and app configuration, you may need to authenticate using your passcode or biometric authentication.

Step 4: Scan the QR code.

A QR code will appear on the checkout register.

Hold your phone over the QR code to scan it.

Walmart says the QR code communicates with its server to authorize the payment; the QR scan itself doesn't transmit your financial information.

Step 5: Wait for confirmation.

After the payment is processed, you should hear a confirmation sound and see confirmation on the register.

Walmart will also make your eReceipt available in the app.

Does Walmart Pay Cost Anything?

No. Walmart doesn't charge a fee for using Walmart Pay.

However, your mobile carrier may charge you for data usage depending on your mobile plan. Walmart specifically notes that data-service charges may apply.

Can You Use Walmart Pay Online?

Walmart Pay is primarily designed for in-store checkout.

For online Walmart purchases, you can save payment methods to your Walmart Wallet and select an eligible payment method during checkout. Walmart's current payment method instructions allow customers to add credit cards, debit cards, gift cards, and other supported payment methods to their account.

Does Walmart Pay Use NFC?

No. This is an important distinction.

Traditional contactless payments often use NFC, but Walmart Pay uses a QR code displayed on the checkout register.

However, Walmart is now rolling out Tap to Pay at select Walmart stores, with a plan to expand it to all U.S. stores by the end of 2026. That's a separate contactless payment option from Walmart Pay's QR code process.

How to Change Your Walmart Pay Card

If you want to use another card:

• Open the Walmart app.
• Go to Account.
• Open Settings.
• Select Wallet.
• Select the payment method you want to edit or add a new one.

Walmart says saved payment methods can be edited or removed from the wallet.

Also see What Is Walmart, and Which Payment Methods Are Acceptable at Walmart?

How Does Walmart Pay Work?

After setting up your Walmart Pay account, you can make payments at any Walmart store after shopping.

When you shop at Walmart, all selected items will be scanned to determine their prices. Thereafter, tell the cashier that you are using Walmart Pay as a payment method at Walmart (What Is Walmart And Which Payment Methods Are Acceptable At Walmart?) or select the option Using self-checkout. 

The system will generate a QR code and display it on the barcode reader or the self-checkout screen. Now open your Walmart Pay app and enter your PIN code to gain access.

Walmart Pay will request you to allow the use of your phone camera; tap Allow it, and then hold your phone over the QR code generated to scan it.

After scanning the QR code, the cashier or the automated register will process the payment and the sum deducted from your linked card. When this is complete, a digital receipt will be sent to your phone carrying all the details of the transactions.

Please click this link to watch a video on how to make payments at Walmart using Walmart Pay.

Can I Use Walmart Pay To Shop At Walmart Online?

No, you cannot use Walmart Pay to shop online at Walmart. Walmart Pay is a touch-free app designed to facilitate transactions between the cashier and you, the customer at Walmart. It functions by scanning a QR code generated by the card reader, as seen above. It also allows users to store their card information in it.

This means that you cannot make payments through Walmart Pay without you scanning the generated QR code, and for this reason, online payment is not allowed, but in-store payments are.

To make online payments at Walmart, you will need the Walmart Mobile app.

What is the difference between Walmart Pay and the Walmart Mobile app?

It is easy to mix up Walmart Pay and the Walmart mobile app, especially since Walmart Pay is integrated into the Walmart app experience. 

The primary distinction is that Walmart Pay is a mobile wallet that stores your payment methods, whereas the Walmart mobile app may be used to shop at Walmart online.

If you plan to shop many things at Walmart, you can do this online using the Walmart app. You can also use the Walmart app to order groceries for pickup or delivery, as well as purchase household items and basics. You will then use the Walmart mobile app to pay for your virtual items.

Can I Split Payment at Walmart?

Yes, Walmart gives you the ability to split payments. For example, if you shop at Walmart using Walmart Pay as a payment method and later you realize that your Walmart Pay (storage card) has insufficient funds, you can simply lead the cashier (self-checkout) to know that you will be splitting payments using your Walmart Pay and a credit, debit, gift, or electronic benefit transfer (EBT). 

In this case, the goods you purchased will be calculated, and at self-checkout, the payment will be shared amongst the payment methods you have chosen.

You can also share payments with other wallets like PayPal and Affirm since these are acceptable payment methods at Walmart.

Also, see: What Is Walmart, and Which Payment Methods Are Acceptable At Walmart?

Can I Purchase A Gift Using Another Gift Card?

No, you cannot use a gift card to purchase another one. Walmart Gift is for you to shop at Walmart or to transfer money to someone without a bank account.

The price of a gift card varies depending on its credit value. You can get a Walmart credit card at a Walmart store in the US, etc.

What is the price for a Walmart gift card?

Walmart gift cards have prizes ranging from $5 to $500, depending on the credit value they have. You can purchase them online through the Walmart mobile app or at Walmart stores.

Final Thoughts About Walmart Pay:

Walmart Pay is a touch-free payment option used at Walmart stores only. This means that you can't use it to make purchases at any other store apart from Walmart.

Walmart Pay is part of the Walmart app, and it is seen as a storage wallet for your linked card details.

To use the Walmart Pay app at self-checkout, the cashier will scan all purchases using a code reader machine, which will automatically sum up the cost price of your purchased items and generate a barcode on its screen after the cashier selects Walmart Pay as a payment option. 

This will request you to open up your Walmart Pay by tapping on its icon on your phone and opening it by entering your PIN code.

Walmart Pay will then use your phone camera to scan the generated code on the screen of the barcode reader machine, and then a transfer will be made. A message will pop up on your phone screen with all transaction details. Thanks to an advancement in technology.