Does Starbucks Take Apple Pay?

 Yes, Starbucks does accept Apple Pay. Use the Starbucks mobile app on your iOS smartphone to make payments at Starbucks using Apple Pay. Apple Pay may be used with the Starbucks app for making payments for takeout, in-store, and drive-through orders.

Use Apple Pay to pay for Starbucks — Step-by-step guide

Paying for your Starbucks order with Apple Pay is simple. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Go to the App Store and download the Starbucks app.
2. If you don’t have an account yet, create your account. Otherwise, log in with your existing account.
3. Select the items that you want to order and add them to the cart.
4. Once you proceed to the checkout, you will be able to select Apple Pay as the payment method.
5. Hold your device (iPhone or Apple Watch) close to the contactless reader.
6. Follow the instructions provided by your device and use Face ID or Touch ID to authorize and complete the transaction.

Starbucks (SBUX) first started incorporating Apple Pay into its payment options at the start of 2016, and by the end of 2017, all Starbucks outlets all over the world had fully integrated Apple Pay into their payment systems. 

This move turned out to be a correct decision as at the time of the incorporation of Apple Pay in 2016, Starbucks was already running the most popular mobile payment service in the US, and this incorporation cemented Starbucks as the leading coffee-making outlet in the world with an annual revenue of $35.976B as of 2023.

Image source: Starbucks

Today, paying for your coffee at the counter, via the drive-through, or via the Starbucks app is all possible with Apple Pay. In addition to facilitating Apple Pay transactions, creating a My Starbucks account has various benefits. You can receive exclusive deals by using the Starbucks app. 

The Starbucks Rewards accumulate points on every order, and when using the app, it allows one to order ahead of time, skip the queue, and get free drinks and food. Redeem your Stars for free drinks, food, at-home coffee, or select merchandise once you redeem your stars. There is also a unique reward system where Members get a Birthday Reward to redeem for a free beverage or food item on their birthday.

Other payment options accepted by Starbucks

You can pay with cash, credit cards, debit cards, and other popular methods inside Starbucks outlets. You can use Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and other NFC payment apps in addition to Apple Pay. One can also use a credit or debit card to make payments when using the McDonald’s app.

Does Starbucks accept Google Pay?

Yes, Starbucks generally accepts Google Pay as a payment option, including in their drive-thru locations, thus making it useful for Android users as well.

Which other Coffee shops take Apple Pay?

Apple Pay is being accepted by an increasing number of coffee shops and restaurants. Examples that take Apple Pay include:

If you are interested in gaining market exposure to Starbucks, check out our guide on how to invest in SBUX stock.