Starbucks to Accept Apple Pay at 7,500+ US Locations

If you’ve ever fumbled for your wallet while waiting in line at Starbucks, or wondered when your phone could finally replace plastic cards at the register, there’s big news on the horizon. Major tech companies have spent years pushing mobile payments—but adoption among major retailers has been slow. Now, one of the world’s most recognizable coffee chains is finally joining the digital wallet wave.

Yes, Starbucks will accept Apple Pay at more than 7,500 locations across the United States starting next year. Customers will be able to use Apple Pay via their iPhone or Apple Watch to buy coffee, and still earn or redeem rewards points and coupons through the Starbucks app.

What Apple Announced About Apple Pay & Starbucks

Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay, revealed the partnership at the Mobile Digital Conference in Half Moon Bay, California. She confirmed that from next year, US Starbucks customers will be able to use Apple Pay at over 7,500 stores. This includes both iPhones and Apple Watches. Bailey also noted that Apple is working to expand payment method options within its ecosystem.

How Apple Pay Works at Starbucks (And What’s Different)

Unlike the current Starbucks app—which already lets users order ahead, customize drinks, and pay digitally inside the app—Apple Pay will allow in-person, tap-to-pay convenience at the counter or drive-thru. Your iPhone or Apple Watch will communicate with the payment terminal via NFC (near field communication), letting you complete the transaction without opening an app or handing over a physical card. Importantly, you’ll still have access to your Starbucks Rewards points and digital coupons even when using Apple Pay.

Other Retailers Adopting Apple Pay in 2025

Starbucks isn’t the only major brand getting on board. Apple also announced that Best Buy and KFC will roll out Apple Pay support in the first half of next year. While Apple Pay launched back in 2014, the service has struggled to gain traction with many large retailers. According to Apple, 220,000 businesses currently accept Apple Pay—but the company aims to grow that number to over 1.5 million by the end of 2025. Currently, 77 of the top 100 US retailers still don’t support it, and adoption among small merchants remains rare.

Why Starbucks Was Early to Digital Payments

Starbucks has long been ahead of the curve compared to most food and beverage chains when it comes to mobile payments. Since rolling out its own mobile app, the company has built a robust digital ecosystem where millions of customers preorder drinks, customize orders, and pay without ever reaching for cash or cards. Many customers already tap their phones in line while waiting for their drinks—making the move to Apple Pay a logical next step.

Starbucks’ Internal Tech Push

The coffee giant is also doubling down on technology leadership. On October 8, Starbucks appointed Gerri Martin-Flickinger, former CIO of Adobe, as its new Chief Technology Officer—the first CTO hire since 2008. According to CEO Kevin Johnson, Starbucks will continue innovating in areas such as digital customer experience and personalized service offerings, with a focus on enhancing the core coffee-buying journey through better tech integration.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will Starbucks start accepting Apple Pay in the US?

Starbucks will begin accepting Apple Pay at over 7,500 US locations starting next year. The exact launch date within 2025 has not been announced yet.

Can I still use the Starbucks app to pay and earn rewards?

Yes. The existing Starbucks app will continue to work as usual, allowing you to order ahead, customize drinks, pay digitally, and manage your Rewards account—including earning and redeeming points. Apple Pay offers an additional in-person tap-to-pay option.

Do I need to open the Starbucks app to use Apple Pay?

No. With Apple Pay, you simply tap your iPhone or Apple Watch at the payment terminal—no need to open any app. However, you’ll still have access to your Starbucks Rewards and coupons even when paying via Apple Pay.

Which other retailers are adding Apple Pay next year?

Best Buy and KFC have also announced plans to support Apple Pay in the first half of 2025. Apple aims to expand Apple Pay availability to over 1.5 million businesses by the end of next year.

Is Apple Pay widely accepted at US coffee shops?

Not yet. Despite launching in 2014, Apple Pay is still not supported by 77 of the top 100 US retailers, and adoption among smaller coffee shops and independent cafes remains limited. Starbucks’ move is expected to accelerate broader acceptance.

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