Does Target Take Apple Pay?

Hey there! With new payment technologies emerging, you may be wondering: does Target take Apple Pay? This popular retail chain sure does, across all stores, online, and in the Target app. Keep reading as I explain everything you need to know about using Apple Pay when shopping at Target.

Apple Pay is a mobile payment service that allows you to pay in stores, apps, and websites using Apple devices like your iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad or Mac. Developed by Apple, it works by storing your credit, debit, and prepaid card information in the Apple Wallet app. You can then use your device to pay quickly and securely.

Target is one of the largest retailers in America, operating 1,922 stores across the country. The brand is known for affordable on-trend merchandise sold in a convenient one-stop-shop format. In 2019, Target announced an upgrade to accept contactless payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay. This was part of an effort to match consumer preferences – according to an Accenture study, 79% of North American consumers prefer paying with contactless methods when possible.

So does Target take Apple Pay? Absolutely! In all Target stores, you‘ll now find payment terminals that accept tap-to-pay services like Apple Pay. Look for the contactless symbol at checkout. As of 2022, Target also accepts Apple Pay online at Target.com and in the Target app.

Using Apple Pay at Target offers several advantages that may make it your new go-to payment method when shopping there:

• It‘s incredibly fast and convenient – simply hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the payment terminal to check out. No need to pull out your physical wallet!

• Your card details are never shared with the store, so Apple Pay offers enhanced security and privacy. More on how this works later.

• You can easily view Apple Pay transactions right in the Wallet app and manage everything from one place.

• Apple Pay works with most major credit and debit cards from top banks. You can switch between cards anytime in the Wallet app.

Compared to other payment options at Target like Cartwheel digital coupons, RedCard credit card discounts, and the Wallet feature in the Target app, Apple Pay stands out for its ease of use through the iPhone/Watch that many customers already have in hand when shopping.

According to a 2021 Statista survey, over 63 million people use Apple Pay in the United States. And Target is one of the biggest retailers that accepts it. Now let‘s get into the details on how to use it.

How to Set Up Apple Pay

Using Apple Pay is a breeze…once it‘s set up properly in the Wallet app. Here are the steps to get started:

1. On your compatible Apple device, make sure you have an authentication method enabled – Face ID, Touch ID, or a device passcode. This allows you to confirm payments.

2. Open the Wallet app then tap the + icon to add a credit, debit, or prepaid card. You can also add loyalty cards and tickets.

3. Use your phone‘s camera to capture your card details or enter them manually.

4. Your bank may require additional verification to activate the card for Apple Pay. Follow any prompts they provide.

5. After your first card is activated, you can add other cards to Wallet anytime and easily switch between them.

6. For Apple Watch, open the Watch app on your iPhone and follow the prompts to add Wallet and Apple Pay.

Once Apple Pay is set up, you‘ll be ready to use it at Target. Bring your iPhone, Apple Watch, or iPad to any Target store or shop online and look for the Apple Pay option right at checkout – it‘s that simple!

According to Apple, there is no credit card or transaction limit when using Apple Pay. However, your bank may set authorization limits on your account. Limits are typically in the range of $100-$200 based on your location.

How Does Apple Pay Work?

Apple Pay allows contactless payments using a technology called NFC or Near Field Communication. Here‘s how it works:

• A tiny NFC chip inside your Apple device can send secure payment data when held close to a compatible payment terminal.

• The checkout terminal and your device communicate via short-range radio waves. No actual card details get transmitted.

• Apple assigns you a unique Device Account Number that is encrypted and stored securely on your device. This is used to process transactions while protecting your information.

• You authorize each Apple Pay purchase on your phone with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode. This is the equivalent of entering a PIN for a physical card payment.

• Once authorized, a one-time secure token is sent to approve your payment. The token verifies your Device Account Number with the bank or card issuer.

This tokenization approach keeps your card details private. Even Target doesn‘t see your actual credit card information when you pay with Apple Pay!

Is Apple Pay More Secure Than a Physical Card?

Security experts agree that Apple Pay offers enhanced security compared to paying with your physical credit or debit card. Here‘s why it‘s more secure:

• The unique Device Account Number replaces your card details, so your real card number is never shared.

• Every transaction uses a one-time dynamic security code that rotates with each new purchase. So your information can never be reused.

• All payments must be authorized on your device via Face/Touch ID or a passcode. This is an extra layer of verification.

• Your actual card details are stored on a dedicated chip with end-to-end encryption. Hackers can‘t access them.

• If your iPhone or Apple Watch is lost or stolen, you can use Find My on any device to suspend or permanently remove the ability to pay with that device.

With Apple Pay, you get the convenience of tap-to-pay combined with best-in-class security. No wonder it‘s so popular at Target and other major retailers!

Tips for Using Apple Pay Successfully

Now that you know how Apple Pay works, here are some tips to use it seamlessly when shopping at Target:

• Add your go-to Target payment cards to the Wallet app so they are ready at checkout.

• Double click the side button on iPhone X or later (or Apple Watch) to bring up your default card before tapping to pay.

• Look for the contactless symbol on self-checkout terminals and know where to hold your device.

• Make sure your iPhone or Apple Watch battery is charged enough to complete the payment.

• Add multiple cards to switch between them or access backups if your primary card is declined.

• Check your receipt to confirm Apple Pay was properly charged – if not, pay with another method.

• View Apple Pay transactions in the Wallet app anytime to monitor purchases.

• If your phone is lost or stolen, immediately suspend Apple Pay payments with Find My.

• Keep your software updated to have the latest Apple Pay security protections.

The Bottom Line

I hope this overview gave you a better understanding of how you can use Apple Pay to pay quickly and securely at Target stores, on the app, or online. This contactless mobile payment method is easy to set up, protects your data, and lets you breeze through checkout – whether you are buying groceries, home goods, electronics or more.

With Apple Pay widely rolled out across all Target locations and websites, you have the flexibility to pay your way. Tap-to-pay speeds up the checkout process so you can get in and out faster. And the enhanced security means you can feel confident using Apple Pay.

Give it a try next time you shop at Target. Let me know if you have any other questions!