Does Starbucks accept Apple Pay?

Every company-operated Starbucks in the U.S. accepts major contactless digital wallets:

• Apple Pay (iPhone and Apple Watch)
• Google Pay (Android and Wear OS)
• Samsung Pay (select devices)
• PayPal via QR in the Starbucks app
• The Starbucks app itself — which doubles as a payment method and Rewards tracker

Both work, and the March 2026 U.S. Rewards program no longer gives a separate standard 2-Star rate merely for paying from a preloaded Starbucks Card. Eligible purchases earn according to membership level — Green 1 Star per dollar, Gold 1.2 and Reserve 1.7 — when the purchase is associated with your Rewards account.

The app is still useful because it identifies your account, supports Mobile Order & Pay, stores offers and tracks Stars. If you pay with Apple Pay at the register, scan your Rewards member barcode first; purchases checked out as a guest do not earn Stars. Participating-store restrictions apply.

Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay work at the vast majority of international company-operated Starbucks where those wallets are available locally. Japan, UK, Germany, and Australia have full support. Some markets in Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East may have spotty contactless support — cash or card swipe still works everywhere.

The Starbucks app works in the U.S., Canada, UK, Mexico, Brazil, and several Asia-Pacific markets with separate regional accounts (U.S. Stars do not transfer to Japan, etc.).

Licensed Starbucks locations (Target, Kroger, hotels, airports, hospitals) follow the host venue's payment policy. Most accept the same digital wallets, but some Target-inside Starbucks require payment at a Target register. A handful of transit-hub licensed stores are card-and-cash only. Check signage at the register if in doubt.