If you’re a frequent patron of Starbucks in the US, you’re probably more than familiar with the Starbucks app which lets you pay for your drinks without ever needing your wallet, as long as you have enough money in the app to pay for your purchases. The good news for Starbucks app users is that the app has recently been updated with support for Apple Pay.
No, this does not mean that you can use your phone at Starbucks via the Apple Pay feature, but rather you will be able to reload your Starbucks Card using Apple Pay. Starbucks was previously listed as an Apple Pay app partner but not as an Apple Pay retail partner, which might explain the lack of Apple Pay at Starbucks’ locations.
Instead Starbucks has been relying on their own bar code-based system for in-store purchases. It is unclear if Starbucks will ever implement NFC and support for Apple Pay, but considering that many other retailers are starting to do so with claims that as many as 38% of large retailers will adopt the system, perhaps Starbucks will eventually cave in.
Besides adding Apple Pay support to the app, the app has also been updated with an enhanced menu that will show additional calorie information for Starbucks’ menu, and it has also enhanced the Mobile Order & Pay feature in Portland.