Target now provides a range of convenient payment methods, including the seamless integration of Apple Pay. If you’ve been eager to harness the power of Apple Pay for your purchases at Target, your curiosity ends here. In the following discourse, I will adeptly guide you through the process of employing Apple Pay within Target’s ecosystem. Moreover, I will elucidate whether the utilization of Apple Pay extends to both online transactions and purchases made through the Target application.
It remains imperative to draw a clear distinction between the physical emporiums of Target and its virtual counterpart, the website and application. This differentiation is pivotal due to the divergence in the accepted modes of payment across these platforms. This distinction even prevails when opting for the “store pickup” modality during the final stages of your virtual transaction. Furthermore, I shall expound upon the disparities between Apple Pay and the Apple Card, shedding light on how the Apple Card can be wielded independently, even in scenarios where Apple Pay’s acceptance is not ubiquitous.
Can You Use Apple Pay at Target?
Utilizing Apple Pay at Target outlets for in-person product acquisitions is readily viable in 2023. Your task involves locating the distinctive RFID emblem upon the checkout terminal—a definitive indicator of the acceptance of contactless payment methods.
How to Use Apple Pay at Target Stores
- Identify the RFID Symbol: Locate the RFID symbol, which resembles a sideways WiFi icon with expanding waves. The screen reader will usually prompt you with a “Tap” instruction alongside this symbol.
- Contactless Payment Support: Rest assured that all Target stores now fully support contactless payment methods.
- No Need for a Contactless Card: You don’t require a specific contactless credit or debit card. Instead, leverage the Apple Pay app on your device. Launch the app, choose the desired card, and then position your mobile device close to the card reader until it vibrates.
- Payment Confirmation: After payment, the card reader screen will either emit a beep or display a thank-you message to signify the successful transaction. Direct your attention to your device to follow any further prompts from Apple Pay. This might include seeing a green checkmark or a ‘Done’ notification.
- Initiate Payment Process Early: You needn’t wait for the cashier to finish scanning all items before beginning the contactless payment process. Even if the cashier is still working, bring your phone to the card reader.
- Apple Watch Convenience: If you have Apple Pay set up on your Apple Watch, consider using it for an even smoother experience.
- Complete the Purchase: Upon concluding the payment, you can finalize the checkout, gather your purchased items, and receive the receipt.
- Tokenization for Security: Be aware that Target may tokenize your card number for added security. The last four digits visible on the screen might not match those on your actual card. This variation doesn’t indicate an error on Target’s part; it’s a security measure.
With these updated guidelines, you’ll be navigating Apple Pay at Target stores with confidence and ease.
Can You Use Apple Pay on the Target App? How to Use Apple Pay on Target App
Utilizing Apple Pay within the Target app in 2023 is a seamless endeavor. Once you’ve assembled your items in your cart, the procedure is straightforward. Upon reviewing your items and tally, you’ll notice a conspicuous option situated at the bottom, adjacent to the checkout button, inviting you to employ Apple Pay. Opting for this route proves notably more convenient than navigating the conventional app checkout process, making it the recommended choice for finalizing your transactions within the app.
Can You Use Apple Pay at Target Self Checkout?

Yes, you can use Apple Pay when using the self-checkout counters at Target. Target stores offer self-checkout counters that allow you to scan your items yourself and pay for them without the help of a cashier. Often, lines are shorter, allowing you to save time.
How to Use Apple Pay at Target Self Checkout
- Scan Items First: Begin by scanning your items at the self-checkout station.
- Select “Wallet”: When it’s time to pay, you’ll encounter multiple options. Opt for “Wallet.”
- Card Reader Screen: Direct your attention to the card reader screen situated near the primary self-checkout display. There, you’ll spot the RFID symbol alongside the instruction “Tap,” denoting the acceptance of contactless payments.
- Contactless Payment Selection: Choose the contactless payment option and approach the screen with your iPhone or Apple Watch. Await the audible beep or the display of a thank-you message.
- Follow On-Screen Prompts: Subsequently, pay heed to any instructions appearing on your phone’s screen. This could include further steps or notifications like a green checkmark.
- Collect Items and Receipts: Once the payment process concludes successfully, gather your purchased items and the corresponding receipt, allowing you to proceed on your way swiftly.
By adhering to these updated guidelines, utilizing Apple Pay at Target’s self-checkout becomes a straightforward and efficient task.
Can You Use Apple Pay on the Target Website? How to Use Apple Pay on Target Website
Utilizing Apple Pay on the Target website in 2023 has specific prerequisites. To proceed, you must possess an Apple device, whether it be an iPhone, iPad, or MacBook. Additionally, you must access the Target website via a Safari browser, as the entire process is intricately intertwined with Apple’s ecosystem. Compatibility is limited to these parameters, and other browsers such as Firefox or Chrome won’t facilitate Apple Pay functionality.
Under the current landscape, Target’s support for Apple Pay on its website remains restricted to the prescribed conditions. Alternate scenarios where this feature may have been applicable in the past are no longer valid. However, a viable workaround exists: enrolling in the Apple Card program. This Mastercard credit card, including the Apple Card, enjoys compatibility with Target’s payment framework.
The Apple Card, a credit card introduced by Apple, can be seamlessly integrated into Apple Pay or employed autonomously. Upon enrollment, an Apple-logo-bearing physical card will be dispatched to your address.
It’s essential to note that rewards may vary. When utilizing your physical Apple Card at establishments that don’t accept Apple Pay, the cashback rewards may be diminished. Paying via Apple Pay using your Apple Card yields a 2% cashback rate, while using your Apple Card directly without Apple Pay incurs a 1% cashback rate. This distinct cashback structure allows you to optimize your rewards strategy based on your preferred payment mode.
Can Target RedCard Be Used With Apple Pay? How Do I Add My Target RedCard to My Apple Wallet?
As of 2023, Target RedCard remains incompatible with Apple Pay. Regrettably, there exists no avenue to integrate the Target RedCard into your Apple Pay wallet. It’s worth noting that although the RedCard cannot be utilized through digital wallets like Apple Pay, it remains functional within Target’s dedicated in-app wallet feature.
Wallet is a feature on the Target mobile app available to all Target users. It simplifies the checkout process at Target stores by combining the Target RedCard, Target Circle earnings and discounts, Target gift cards, and more.
You will get a barcode that you can use when checking out at Target stores, either when checking out by yourself or using a lane operated by a cashier. You can toggle your Target Circle earnings on or turn them off if you want to save them for later.
Unfortunately, you can not add any third-party payment options, including Apple Pay or even a debit or credit card, to Target Wallet. Also, Target Wallet is only for checking out in stores and not for making purchases online or in the app.
Apple Pay Declined at Target: Troubleshooting Apple Pay at Target

If you tried to use Apple Pay at checkout and the system declined your payment, there may be a simple fix. The first thing to check is whether the Target contactless card reader was able to establish a connection with your Apple Pay account.
If you didn’t hold your phone or Apple Watch close enough to the screen, try again, but hold it closer. You may also have held it in the wrong position, too far from the reader.
Another possibility is that you removed your phone too quickly before the card reader could establish a connection and register the payment. Try again, but wait for the beep or thank-you message before removing your phone from the screen.
There may also be a problem with the two-factor authentication method. Your phone might not be able to read your fingerprint or face to authenticate the transaction. For example, the fingerprint reader might be broken, or you may have placed your finger on the reader wrong. Try confirming your identity again.
If the problem is with your phone, you may have to take it to an Apple retailer to get it fixed. In the meantime, you may be able to enter your password instead of using Touch ID.
You may also have a poor internet connection. Unlike contactless debit and credit cards, Apple Pay is a mobile app. As such, it requires an internet connection to work.
If you don’t have mobile data, you may be able to connect to public guest Wifi, available at Target stores. Use a VPN to encrypt your internet traffic and protect your data. If you have mobile data, but your connection is spotty, simply try again.
Alternatively, there may be a problem with the payment method connected to your Apple Pay account. For example, if you connected a debit card, that card might not have enough funds to cover the cost of your Target purchase. Or, your bank may have frozen your card due to a security concern or because you reported your card as lost or stolen.
The card may also have expired. It’s a good idea to phone your bank and explain the situation.
You may also have entered the card details on Apple Pay incorrectly. For example, you might have entered the wrong digits or expiration date.
Finally, there may also be a problem with the Target contactless payment reader. Ask the cashier to help you, or call a customer support representative if you are using a self-checkout counter. They may be able to assist you.
Updated for 2023
Target adopted Apple Pay in 2017 but didn’t accept this payment method on the app for many years. As of 2023, you can use Apple Pay on the Target app, and the process is actually simpler than the standard checkout process.
Though the app is efficient, the Target website still has issues with Apple Pay. You can only use this method if you’re on an Apple device using the Safari browser, which is the Apple operating system’s default option.
Final Thoughts
If this is your first time using Apple Pay or purchasing from Target, don’t worry. Checking out with Apple Pay at Target is a straightforward process that is easy to learn. Target employees will be more than happy to help you out as well, so don’t be afraid to ask for assistance if you need it.
Related: Does Walmart Take Apple Pay?