Does Tesco Accept Apple Pay in 2023
We get the question "Does Tesco take Apple pay" and here's what you need to know!

Avatar photo
elisabeth samuels

Digital Consumer

Why you can trust Digital Consumer

More info

While We follow stringent , this article may have links or references to services and products from our partners. See our explanation for .

Does Tesco Accept Apple Pay?

Yes, Tesco does accept Apple Pay and all other contactless payment methods.

The digital platform can be used in all Tesco stores, including Extra, Express, and Superstores.

It is also accepted in Tesco fuel stations.

Forgetting a purse or wallet is a regular occurrence in our household; however, it is rare that anyone ever walks out without their phone.

That is why it is always handy to have a mobile wallet installed on your device so that nipping to the shops doesn’t have to be an embarrassing event.

Imagine the scene; you have just finished the ‘big shop’ in Tesco, no credit card!

You might have to suffer the indignity of putting everything back on the shelves until you remember the Apple Pay facility on your phone.

All you need to know now is, does Tesco accept Apple Pay, and if so, is it across all store types?

does tesco accept apple pay

Does Apple Pay work with Scan & Shop?

Scan & Shop is an innovative idea from Tesco, whereby the customer scans and bags their items as they go.

Not only does this save lots of time – nobody enjoys filling their trolley, emptying it, and then bagging it all again – but it also keeps a running total of how much you’re spending.

When you have finished, head over to the kiosk and scan the QR code.

Your total appears and asks you to select a payment method.

Apple Pay is one of the choices.

Providing your shopping is less than £100, the current contactless limit, you can pay using your mobile.

Authorization usually requires a Face or Touch ID or to enter your passcode.

Can I use Apple Pay in Tesco Petrol Stations?

Pay-at-pump petrol pumps are time efficient as there is no waiting in line to pay.

Present your card when you’ve filled the tank, enter the pin when asked, wait for authorization, and drive away.

It could be quicker if contactless payments were acceptable tender at the pumps, but they’re not.

Tesco’s website reveals that they’re currently working on introducing NFC – Near Field Communication – technology.

All is not lost; if you use the traditional method to fill up with fuel and go into the kiosk, the till happily accepts Apple Pay, currently up to the value of £45.

Can I use Apple Pay at Self-Checkout?

Self-checkout is handy if you only have a few items and don’t want to stand in line behind people with trolleys full of shopping.

There are a series of small, individual checkouts that allow the customer to scan, bag, and pay for their goods.

The terminals are the same as the cashiers use at the full-sized checkout.

As such, they accept the same payment methods.

Apple Pay makes self-checkout even faster; simply hover your phone near the NFC terminal with your finger on the Touch ID button.

Wait for the vibration, grab your receipt, and go.

does tesco take apple pay

What other Payment Methods does Tesco Accept?

Tesco accepts almost all payment methods in-store and fewer across their online operations.

In-store

  • Cash
  • Contactless credit and debit cards
  • Digital wallets including, Apple Pay and Android Pay
  • Tesco Pay+
  • Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discovery
  • Gift Voucher

Online

  • Tesco Bank Cards
  • Visa and MasterCard
  • American Express

However, you shop or pay in Tesco, always remember to swipe a physical or digital Clubcard to reap the best rewards and earn the most points.

*Note – Tesco no longer accepts PayPal across their retail and online operations; this is probably due to high processing costs.

Is Tesco Pay+ Better than Apple Pay?

Tesco Pay+ is a mobile payment platform available to use in-store only.

It is only for use in UK Tesco’s and petrol stations.

It works on the same principle as Apple Pay; you link it to your chosen payment cards.

Upon payment, it always selects the default card.

Should you want to use a different saved card, scroll through the options.

You present the phone at checkout or self-scan, and the payment automatically applies to the card.

It has several benefits;

  1. It helps you keep track of what you’re spending
  2. Automatically collects Clubcard points
  3. The maximum spend limit is £250 in one transaction or £500 per week.

Tesco Clubcard

Tesco has an impressive incentive called the Clubcard. Members join for free and qualify for points, reduced prices, and good value offers from businesses partnered with Tesco.

Initially, members had a plastic card to show at every transaction.

Next came small keyrings, until finally, the Clubcard became a digital barcode that you flash to the person on the checkout or underneath the self-scanner.

Like many other store cards, you can add a Clubcard to your Apple Pay wallet.

But does it work every time, and will you still receive all of your rewards?

If you pay for your shopping using a Tesco Bank credit card you automatically accumulate points for shopping and using the card.

If you’re using Apple Pay, remember to scan the Clubcard first; otherwise, you might not get everything to which you’re entitled.

Conclusion

Tesco accepts Apple Pay across all its retail outlets, including small Tesco Express through to the massive superstores.

Providing the available balance exists, Tesco encourages contactless payments almost everywhere.

Sadly, if your only payment method is Apple pay, you are going to have to make the short journey from the Pay-at-Pump fuel tanks to the kiosk.