With over 9,900 locations in the United States, CVS Pharmacy is one of the most widespread drugstore and pharmacy chains in the country. It’s known for its convenience and value, which isn’t too surprising, considering CVS stands for Consumer Value Store.

Although you may assume that CVS has embraced modern payment methods like digital wallets, you might still wonder whether it takes Apple Pay.
CVS takes Apple Pay in-store, but does not accept it for online and in-app purchases, although you can use Apple Pay through Instacart. Other in-store payment methods are cash, credit and debit cards, personal checks, prepaid cards, EBT cards, and ReliaCards. CVS also accepts multiple contactless payments besides Apple Pay, such as Google Pay, Samsung Pay, PayPal, and Venmo.
Read on to learn when CVS began to support Apple Pay and how you can pay with your phone at CVS. We’ll also discuss all of the accepted payment forms, including traditional and contactless options. Finally, we’ll talk about some of the other retailers that accept Apple Pay.
Topics
Does CVS Support Apple Pay?
CVS has supported Apple Pay for in-store purchases since October of 2018.
When Apple Pay initially launched in 2014, CVS quickly blocked NFC (near-field communication) payment methods. Two years later, the pharmacy and drugstore chain introduced its own form of mobile payment: an app called CVS Pay.
However, CVS discontinued the CVS Pay app in the fall of 2018. Then, it began to accept all NFC-based payment methods, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. You can pay with these digital wallets in all standalone CVS Pharmacy locations.
Although CVS supports Apple Pay in-store, it’s not an option if you’re shopping online or in the CVS app.
Does CVS Take Apple Pay For Instacart?
Instacart states that it takes Apple Pay as a form of payment. It also accepts Google Pay, PayPal, United States and Canada credit and debit cards, and China UnionPay. EBT cards are accepted at participating stores located in certain states.
The only payment methods Instacart does not accept are cash, international payments, gift cards for specific stores, and prepaid credit cards.
CVS is partnered with Instacart, so you can order CVS items through Instacart and pay with Apple Pay.
Can I Pay With My Phone At CVS?
Yes, multiple phone payment options are accepted at CVS.
You can pay with digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and other NFC payment methods.
Another way to pay with your phone is to shop on the CVS app. Within the app, you can access exclusive deals and rewards and check out from your phone. You can pick up your purchase at your local CVS Pharmacy or choose to have the items delivered to your home.
The CVS app accepts US-issued Visa, Discover, MasterCard, and American Express cards.
However, the app does not take cash, personal checks, PayPal accounts, CVS gift cards, prepaid cards, or NFC payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
How Do I Use Apple Pay At CVS?
To use Apple Pay at CVS, you’ll need to have an iPhone or Apple Watch. Add a credit or debit card to your Apple Wallet, and you’re ready to go!
Once you’re done shopping and ready to checkout, simply click your iPhone’s side button twice (if you have Face ID) or click the Home Button twice (if you have Touch ID). For Apple Watches, click the side button twice.
Your card will pop up. If you’d like to choose another card, either tap on your default card (for iPhones) or scroll down (for Apple Watches).
Once you’ve selected the card you’d like to pay with, hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near CVS’s contactless reader.
If you’re using your iPhone, you’ll see a checkmark and the word “Done” pop up. This means the payment has gone through successfully.
When paying with your Apple Watch, you’ll know the payment was successful when you hear a beep and feel a slight tap from your watch.
What Other Forms Of Payment Does CVS Accept?
CVS accepts many forms of payment in-store.
Some more traditional forms of payment include cash, debit cards, credit cards, CVS gift cards, and personal checks. For checks to be accepted, you’ll need a valid form of ID.
CVS also takes EBT cards, ReliaCards, and other prepaid cards.
You can also pay with your PayPal or Venmo QR codes.
There are some forms of payment that CVS doesn’t accept, including cashier’s checks and money orders.
Does CVS Have Contactless Payment?
Yes, CVS has multiple contactless payment options:
- Apple Pay
- Samsung Pay
- Google Pay
- Venmo QR codes
- PayPal QR codes
You can also purchase items from CVS from your phone by using the CVS app.
Does CVS Accept Google Pay?
Yes, CVS has accepted Google Pay since late 2018. Although CVS blocked NFC payments from 2014 to 2018 in favor of driving customers to its own app, CVS Pay, the brand has now accepted various digital wallets for nearly four years.
What Other Stores Allow Apple Pay?
If you’re curious about which stores in your area take Apple Pay, a simple trick is to go to your Maps app and search for “Apple Pay.” This will bring up all of the nearby retailers that accept this payment method.
Here are some of the stores that allow Apple Pay countrywide:
- 7-Eleven
- Albertsons
- Best Buy
- Casey’s General Store
- Chevron
- Duane Reade
- Dunkin’ Donuts
- HyVee
- Jack in the Box
- Jimmy John’s
- McDonald’s
- Meijer
- Safeway
- Speedway
- Stop & Shop
- Taco Bell
- Target
- Walgreens
Conclusion
Apple Pay is accepted at CVS Pharmacy locations across the country. However, you can’t use this payment method in the CVS app or online. One way around this is to shop at CVS through Instacart, which does accept Apple Pay.
When shopping in-store, you can also pay with cash, your debit or credit card, or a personal check. Prepaid cards, ReliaCards, and EBT cards are other options.
If you prefer to go contactless, CVS has plenty of alternative choices for you, including Google Pay, Samsung Pay, PayPal, and Venmo.