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Does Dollar General Take Apple Pay

Does Dollar General take Apple Pay? That’s probably the first thing you typed into your phone before heading out to do some quick shopping, right? Trying to pull out your iPhone, ready to scan and go, only to realize the store’s terminal doesn’t support what you expected. In a world that’s quickly going digital, where cash is slowly becoming an afterthought, this question is not just valid, it’s necessary.

Apple Pay has become one of the go-to payment options for people who want speed, security, and convenience. No more fumbling for your wallet or stressing about lost cards. Just a tap of your phone, and boom, payment done. Especially in 2025, digital wallets have evolved from a “nice-to-have” to a “can’t-shop-without-it” necessity. Whether you’re at a grocery store, fueling up, or grabbing essentials at your local Dollar General, being able to pay with your phone is a big deal.

But when it comes to Dollar General, things aren’t as simple as tapping and paying yet. This article is your no-fluff, all-facts guide to understanding whether or not you can use Apple Pay at Dollar General, what alternatives are available, and how you can still shop smart using your phone. So, let’s dive into the details, based on real experiences, store policy updates, and practical hacks.

Does Dollar General Take Apple Pay in 2025?

No. As of 2025, Dollar General still does not officially accept Apple Pay at the register. Even though we’re deep into the digital payment era, Dollar General hasn’t hopped on the Apple Pay bandwagon yet. And honestly, it can be a bit frustrating, especially when other budget-friendly stores are catching up.

The company hasn’t made an official announcement about when or if they plan to integrate Apple Pay across all their stores. They do have some digital systems in place, like their DG GO! app (we’ll cover that soon), but those don’t always sync well with Apple Pay.

Even though the terminals at some locations look like they might accept mobile payments, they’re often disabled for Apple Pay. Some folks on Reddit have even tried tapping their phones out of curiosity, only to get denied with a “payment not accepted” message. Ouch.

So, if you’re heading to Dollar General and expecting a quick Apple Pay transaction, think again. Better bring that card or some cash at least for now.

The Evolution of Dollar General’s Payment System

To really understand why Dollar General doesn’t accept Apple Pay, let’s rewind a bit.

Back in the day, Dollar General was all about simplicity low-cost items, fast checkout, and minimal frills. Most stores were cash-only or accepted standard cards. But as time passed, customer habits started shifting. People wanted contactless options. They wanted to use their phones. Tap, scan, and done.

While stores like Walmart and Target started adapting fast, Dollar General stayed a little behind. That’s not necessarily a bad thing they focused on price control and consistency. But it did make them slow to adopt new tech. Around 2019, they introduced the DG GO! app, allowing shoppers to scan items in-store using their phones and pay digitally. It was a decent step forward, but it wasn’t integrated with Apple Pay.

Fast forward to 2025, and you’d expect Apple Pay to be a standard feature. Yet, Dollar General seems cautious. Maybe it’s the added costs of upgrading payment terminals. Maybe it’s a matter of data privacy or keeping customers in their own ecosystem (with DG rewards and discounts). Whatever the reason, we’re still waiting for them to catch up.

And while the DG GO! app was a clever move, it still has its flaws. Not every store supports it, and the experience can be clunky especially if you’re hoping to use Apple Pay in the process.

Alternative Payment Methods Accepted at Dollar General

So if Apple Pay isn’t an option, what can you use? Thankfully, Dollar General does offer a variety of payment methods just not the one you might prefer.

1. Debit and Credit Cards

This is the most common method people still use. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express are all accepted. Quick, easy, and reliable.

2. Cash

Old school, but it works. Just make sure you have some bills or coins, especially if you’re in a rural area where digital options are limited.

3. EBT and SNAP

For those using government assistance programs, Dollar General does accept EBT for qualifying food items. However, you’ll need to pay separately for non-eligible products.

4. Dollar General Gift Cards

You can buy or reload these cards and use them for your shopping trips. They also make great gifts for someone who loves budget-friendly shopping.

5. DG GO! App

Some stores support this self-checkout system, where you scan items and pay within the app. But here’s the catch, it doesn’t support Apple Pay integration yet. You’ll need to link a card directly.

So, while you can’t tap your iPhone just yet, you do have options. It just means a bit more planning and maybe carrying your wallet around a little longer.

What About DG GO!? Can I Use Apple Pay There?

Now this part gets interesting. If you’re wondering whether you can sneak in an Apple Pay transaction through the DG GO! app, the answer is a sort-of-but-not-really situation.

DG GO! was designed to speed up shopping. You walk in, open the app, scan your items as you go, and pay digitally, all without standing in line. Sounds awesome, right?

Here’s the rub: the DG GO! app doesn’t support Apple Pay directly. That means you can’t just tap your iPhone to complete a transaction inside the app. You have to manually add your credit or debit card to the app’s wallet.

And not every Dollar General supports the app. It’s limited to select stores, which is a bit of a letdown if you’re excited about a faster checkout.

Why Dollar General Hesitates with Apple Pay

You might be wondering, “Why on earth hasn’t Dollar General added Apple Pay yet?” That’s a lot of questions asked by many, especially since more and more stores are switching to contactless payments. But after digging around and watching the company’s behavior over time, I’ve realized there are a few solid reasons why they’re dragging their feet.

1. Transaction Fees Eat into Profits

Dollar General is all about keeping costs low. It’s their entire business model. Apple Pay, as convenient as it is, comes with extra processing fees. These fees are higher than your usual card swipe. And when a business deals with low-margin items (we’re talking $1 toothbrushes and $3 snacks), even a tiny fee increase matters a lot. It adds up over millions of transactions. From a business standpoint, they’re being cautious with anything that could cut into their razor-thin profit margins.

2. Control Over Customer Data

When a shopper uses Apple Pay, the store doesn’t get access to certain types of customer information, like shopping habits or purchase history that they’d normally collect during a card transaction. For a store like Dollar General, this data is gold. It helps them understand what you buy, when you shop, and how to market better to you. Apple Pay protects your privacy, which is great for you, but not so appealing to big retailers.

3. Loyalty and Rewards Integration Issues

Dollar General also wants you to use their DG app, sign up for digital coupons, and stick around for weekly deals. With Apple Pay, there’s less incentive for you to engage with their ecosystem. It’s all about making the checkout fast. While that sounds awesome for us as shoppers, it can mean missed opportunities for Dollar General to promote their loyalty programs or encourage app usage.

In short, it’s not that they can’t enable Apple Pay, it’s that they’ve made a business decision to hold off. Whether that change shortly depends on demand, competition, and maybe even customer pushback.

Can You Use Your iPhone to Pay at Dollar General?

Here’s where things get interesting. Even though Dollar General doesn’t officially support Apple Pay, there are a few creative ways you can still use your iPhone to complete your purchase.

1. Use Your iPhone with the Bank’s Card App

Most major banks have their own apps that allow you to pay via QR codes or by generating a temporary card number. For example, some cards can be accessed through your Wallet app but used via barcode at checkout.

2. Link Your Card in DG App

If you’re shopping at a location that supports DG GO!, you can manually enter your card details in the app. While this isn’t technically Apple Pay, it still lets you pay from your phone.

3. Scan Gift Cards with Your Phone

You can also buy a Dollar General gift card online, add it to your Wallet or a barcode app, and scan it at checkout. It’s a workaround, but if you’re someone who must pay with their phone, it’s a solid plan B.

4. Use Mobile Banking with Tap-to-Pay Features

Some banking apps now offer contactless payment straight from the app, no Apple Pay required. If you have a card with this feature, you might be able to use your iPhone as a payment device through your bank instead.

Just keep in mind, these methods aren’t official Apple Pay substitutes. But they can get the job done until Dollar General gets with the program.

What Other Dollar Stores Take Apple Pay?

Okay, so Dollar General is out, for now. But what about the competition? Let’s look at how other discount chains are doing when it comes to Apple Pay. You might be surprised.

1. Family Dollar

Good news here, Family Dollar accepts Apple Pay at most locations. You can tap your phone, get your receipt, and be on your way in seconds. It’s what we wish Dollar General would offer.

2. Dollar Tree

Here’s the tricky part. Some Dollar Tree locations do take Apple Pay, while others don’t. It depends on the terminal setup in each store. When in doubt, ask the cashier or look for the contactless symbol on the reader.

3. 99 Cents Only Stores

If you’re on the West Coast, 99 Cents Only Stores have slowly started rolling out Apple Pay at select locations. Again, it’s hit or miss, but progress is being made.

Comparison Table: Apple Pay Availability at Dollar Stores

Store Name	Apple Pay Accepted	Notes
Dollar General	No	Not available at any location
Family Dollar	Yes	Most locations support it
Dollar Tree	Partial	Varies by location
99 Cents Only Stores	Partial	Slowly expanding support

If paying with your iPhone is a must-have, your best bet might be to switch to Family Dollar—at least until Dollar General decides to modernize.

What Stores Do Accept Apple Pay in 2025?

If you’re like me and prefer to leave your wallet at home, you’re probably wondering: what stores actually do take Apple Pay in 2025? The good news is, it’s a long list. The world of retail has evolved rapidly, and most big-name stores have embraced mobile payments with open arms. So, while Dollar General might not be on board yet, plenty of other options are.

1. Grocery Stores That Accept Apple Pay

Whole Foods Market
Trader Joe’s
Safeway
Albertsons
Publix
Kroger (via their app only, not at terminals in all locations)

You can breeze through the checkout line at any of these places using your iPhone or Apple Watch. Personally, Using Apple Pay at Trader Joe’s is fast, secure, and never fails.

2. Retail Giants

Target
Best Buy
Walmart (only via their own app, not at in-store terminals)
CVS Pharmacy
Walgreens
Costco

While Walmart still doesn’t take Apple Pay at the register, Target has fully embraced it. Just tap and go.

3. Fast Food and Coffee Chains

McDonald’s
Starbucks
Chick-fil-A
Subway
Dunkin’
Panera Bread

Whether you’re grabbing a quick coffee or a meal, Apple Pay is widely accepted in the fast food world.

4. Gas Stations and Convenience Stores

Shell
ExxonMobil
Chevron
7-Eleven
Circle K

It’s become super easy to fill up your tank without touching your wallet.

How to Check If a Store Accepts Apple Pay

Now, let’s say you’re heading somewhere new and want to know if they take Apple Pay before you walk in.

1. Use Apple Maps

Apple Maps isn’t just for directions. Open it, search for the store, and scroll down to the “Useful to Know” section. If the store supports Apple Pay, you’ll see the Apple Pay logo right there.

2. Check the Store’s Website or FAQ

Many companies list their accepted payment methods on their website. Just Google something like “Target accepted payments” and you’ll get a direct answer.

3. Look for the Contactless Symbol

Before you tap, glance at the card reader. If it shows the universal contactless symbol (four curved lines), there’s a good chance Apple Pay will work. But remember, this isn’t a guarantee unless it’s specifically Apple Pay enabled.

4. Ask the Cashier

When in doubt, ask. Most employees will know if their store accepts Apple Pay. Knowing where you can use Apple Pay gives you peace of mind, especially when you’re in a hurry or don’t want to dig through your wallet.

How to Set Up Apple Pay (Beginner-Friendly Guide)

If you’re new to the world of Apple Pay, don’t worry, I’ve got you. Setting it up is quick and easy. All you need is your iPhone, your card, and about 2 minutes.

Step-by-Step Guide for iPhone Users:

Open the Wallet App on your iPhone.
Tap the “+” icon in the top-right corner.
Choose your card type: credit or debit.
Scan your card with the camera or enter the details manually.
Verify your card with your bank, usually via text or email.
You’re all set! Now you can use Apple Pay anywhere it’s accepted.

You can also add multiple cards and choose your default. Want to make things even cooler? Add your boarding passes, concert tickets, and even loyalty cards to the Wallet app.

Test It Before Shopping

Once it’s set up, head to a store you know accepts Apple Pay (like Starbucks), and try it out. Just double-click the side button on your iPhone or Apple Watch near the reader and hold it until you feel a little vibration. That’s the green light!

Setting up Apple Pay not only saves you time, but it also adds a layer of security. Your actual card number is never shared, and each transaction uses a unique code, making it much safer than swiping your card.

Apple Pay: Safety, Speed, and Savings

Let’s talk about why people, including me, love Apple Pay so much. It’s not just about tapping your phone. There’s a whole world of benefits that make it a game changer.

1. Security First

Apple Pay doesn’t share your actual card number with stores. Instead, it uses a one-time unique transaction code. So, if the store’s system gets hacked, your card info is still safe. That’s huge in today’s world.

Plus, every transaction is verified with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode. That means even if someone steals your phone, they can’t use Apple Pay without your biometric approval.

2. It’s Lightning Fast

No more pulling out your card, waiting for it to process, or fumbling with change. With Apple Pay, it’s just tap, buzz, done. This is especially great when the checkout line is long or you’re juggling a coffee and your kid’s toy in the other hand.

3. Track Your Spending

Every time you use Apple Pay, the transaction is logged in your Wallet app. You’ll see the store name, location, and the exact amount spent. It makes budgeting a breeze.

4. Deals and Cashback

Some cards linked with Apple Pay offer better rewards or cashback bonuses when used via a digital wallet. You can save a surprising amount just by paying with your phone instead of swiping.

In short, Apple Pay is more than just convenient, it’s smart, secure, and honestly hard to live without once you get used to it.

Should Dollar General Start Taking Apple Pay?

Alright, time to get personal. If you’ve stuck with me this far, you know I’m a big fan of Apple Pay. It’ll changed the way you shop, travel, and manage my money. So, when you walk into a store like Dollar General, one of the biggest chains in the U.S, and they don’t accept Apple Pay? It feels like they’re behind the curve.

Would it help me as a shopper? Absolutely. Quicker lines, less stress, and more convenience.

Would it help them as a business? Yes. They’d appeal to younger, tech-savvy shoppers. They’d reduce cash handling. Also, they’d probably even win a few customers from competitors who are already Apple Pay-friendly.

To Dollar General: it’s time. Give us Apple Pay. You won’t regret it.

FAQs

Can you do Apple Pay at Dollar General?

No, Dollar General does not currently accept Apple Pay at any of its store locations as of 2025. You’ll need to use a debit/credit card, cash, or the DG app with a linked card.

Can I pay with my phone at Dollar General?

You can pay with your phone, but not through Apple Pay. If you’re using the DG GO! app (in supported stores), you can scan and pay from your phone but you’ll have to enter card info manually.

What stores approve Apple Pay?

Many major retailers accept Apple Pay in 2025. These include Target, CVS, Walgreens, Best Buy, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Starbucks, and many grocery stores, gas stations, and fast-food chains.

What dollar stores take Apple Pay?

Family Dollar accepts Apple Pay at most locations. Some Dollar Tree stores also support Apple Pay, but it varies by location. 99 Cents Only Stores are beginning to add support as well.

Does Family Dollar accept Apple Pay?

Yes! Family Dollar widely supports Apple Pay. It’s one of the best alternatives to Dollar General if you want to use your iPhone to pay.

Can I use Apple Pay with the DG app?

Not directly. The DG app doesn’t currently integrate with Apple Pay. You can enter your card details manually into the app for mobile checkout at supported locations.

Why doesn’t Dollar General use Apple Pay?

Dollar General likely avoids Apple Pay due to additional transaction fees, limitations on customer data collection, and the desire to push users toward its own DG ecosystem for loyalty and coupons.

Is it safe to use Apple Pay in stores?

Yes, Apple Pay is extremely secure. It uses encrypted transaction codes, never shares your actual card number, and requires Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode for each payment.

Conclusion

Does Dollar General take Apple Pay? Sadly, as of 2025, the answer is still no. You can’t use Apple Pay directly at the register in any Dollar General location. Even though contactless payment has become the new normal in most retail environments, Dollar General has chosen to hold off.

While that might be disappointing, especially if you’re like me and prefer the ease and speed of paying with your iPhone, it’s not the end of the world. Dollar General does offer other ways to pay like debit/credit cards, cash, EBT, gift cards, and even its own DG GO! app (though not always available or Apple Pay-compatible). There are also clever workarounds, like adding gift cards to your phone or using your bank’s app, but none of those are as smooth as a direct tap-and-go Apple Pay transaction.

If you’re really set on using Apple Pay, consider switching to Family Dollar or checking whether your local Dollar Tree supports it. Better yet, make it a habit to check Apple Maps or look for the contactless symbol before you reach the checkout.