How to Use Apple Pay or Google Pay at Stores and Online

Apple Pay (for iPhone and Apple Watch) and Google Pay (for Android phones) let you pay for things by tapping your phone on a payment reader at a store — no wallet needed. You can also use them to pay on websites and in apps. Millions of Americans use these services every day at grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, and more.

Why is it safer than a physical card?

This surprises many people: paying with Apple Pay or Google Pay is actually more secure than swiping or inserting your physical card. Here is why.

When you tap your phone to pay, the store never sees your real card number. Instead, your phone creates a one-time temporary code (called a "token") specific to that single transaction. Even if a store's payment system were hacked, the thieves would only get that one-time code — not your real card number. With a physical card swipe, your actual card number travels through the store's system.

Your payment is also protected by your phone's security. On iPhone, Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode must verify the payment before it goes through. On Android, your fingerprint or PIN is required. This means that if someone steals your phone, they cannot use Apple Pay or Google Pay to make purchases without your face, fingerprint, or PIN.

Which stores accept it?

Look for a contactless payment symbol at the checkout. It looks like a series of curved lines (like a sideways Wi-Fi symbol) or the Apple Pay or Google Pay logo. Most major grocery chains, pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens, fast-food restaurants, Target, Walmart, and many smaller businesses accept contactless payments. The number of participating stores grows every year.

What about online?

When shopping online, many websites now show an "Apple Pay" or "Google Pay" button at checkout. Tapping that button confirms your payment through your phone without typing your card number into the website — another layer of protection.