In theory Apple Pay sounds like a great idea considering how many iPhone users there are. However not all retailers have hopped on board and understandably so given that they would lock themselves into Apple’s ecosystem. Instead what some, such as Walmart, have done, is launch their own mobile payments system.
In fact back in 2017, Target also seemed resistant to the idea of adopting Apple Pay and had planned their own version, but the company could be having a change of heart. A report from 9to5Mac has revealed that over in San Francisco, it seems that Target appears to be testing out Apple Pay, according to several shoppers.
How accurate these reports are is unclear as Target seems to be mum on it. In fact a tweet by the company seemed to suggest that physical support of Apple Pay is not available, and that the only way to actually use Apple Pay is through the Target Mobile App for their website. However in the video above, which was taken at Target Metreon, it shows an NFC-enabled terminal which suggests that Apple Pay could also be used.
Apple is accepted via the Target app using an iPhone 6 or newer, running the latest update. Target only accepts Apple Pay on the Target Mobile App for our site. We understand your disappointment. We’ll offer your suggestion to our Store Operations team for review.
— AskTarget (@AskTarget) November 29, 2018
It is possible that Target is testing out the system before rolling it out to the rest of the stores, but we’ll have to wait on some kind of official confirmation (or denial) before we get a better idea of the company’s plans.