Yes, Starbucks accepts (or let me say takes) Apple Pay as a direct payment method. In fact, they are one of the first restaurants to begin accepting the digital wallet at over 7,500 locations, and they've been doing so since 2015.
This partnership, among others, has been a great bummer for the digital wallet as its overall users dramatically increased within this period since not only Starbucks, but many other restaurants and retailers began adopting the payment service from that period.
If you're looking to use Apple Pay at Starbucks, I'll provide you with the steps you need to take to make an overall convenient and successful payment.
How to Set up Apple Pay to Use At Starbucks
Setting up Apple Pay to use at Starbucks is very straightforward, and one fun fact is that many iPhone users aren't even aware that Apple Pay is already pre-installed on their iOS devices (if, of course, it is eligible).
That said, for Apple Pay to work well on your device, you need to make sure it is an Apple Pay-supported device—that is, it is at least an iPhone 6 that runs at least iOS 8 or newer versions.
Also, you'll need a card—a credit or debit card that isn't tied to payment limitations when being used with digital wallets. A good recommendation is a Visa or Mastercard. Discover can do too, but many have complained about having issues using Apple Pay with Discover cards at Starbucks. So stick to the two main issuers (Visa and Mastercard).
So, to set up Apple Pay to use at Starbucks:
- Open your Wallet app on your iPhone and tap the plus button.
- Now, select "Debit or Credit Card" and then tap "Continue."
- Next, you'll have to add your card details to the app. You can do it manually or automatically by scanning the card with the card scanner in the app.
- After adding your card details, just follow the onscreen instructions.
If everything went well, you should have Apple Pay up and running well on your iPhone and ready to use at Starbucks or any other retailer accepting it.
How to Pay at Starbucks with Apple Pay
We've already set up Apple Pay, which is a crucial step. Now it's time to use it for payments at Starbucks.
While the Starbucks app takes Apple Pay, I have a better alternative to recommend, which will even earn you stars that can be redeemed for free coffee.
This alternative is nothing else than the Starbucks card, which is available for both iPhone and the Apple Watch and convenient for making payments at Starbucks. The best part is that you get to load your Starbucks card with Apple Pay, which still indirectly involves the use of your digital wallet for payments.
So I recommend you use Apple Pay to load your Starbucks card and earn stars whenever you use it to make payments at Starbucks, which you can later redeem for free coffee.
It doesn't matter whether you're making the payment in the app, at a Starbucks restaurant, or at drive-thrus—you still get your free drink. Pretty good idea, right?
Can You Pay at Starbucks with an Apple Watch?
Yes, you can pay at Starbucks with your Apple Watch. You can use your Starbucks card to make payments at Starbucks with your Apple Watch to earn free coffee, as shown earlier.
Can I Get Cashback While Using Apple Pay at Starbucks?
You can get cashbacks of up to 3% whenever you use your Apple Cash to make eligible payments at Starbucks. Apple Cash is your digital card that makes managing your digital wallet even easier and more convenient.
Also, if your card issuer offers cashback for payments, you'll be earning cashback whenever you use it as a funding source for your Starbucks payments.
What Other Payment Methods Does Starbucks Accept?
Starbucks accepts many other payment methods, besides Apple Pay, including Cash, all major credit/debit cards, Starbucks coupons, Apple Pay, and other contactless payment methods.
Does Starbucks Take Google Pay?
Yes, Starbucks does take Google Pay as a payment method.
Customers can reload their Starbucks Cards with Google Pay via the Starbucks® app for Android™. Customers can also purchase at participating Starbucks® locations using Google Pay outside of the Starbucks app.
Can I Use PayPal to Pay At Starbucks?
Yes, you can use PayPal at Starbucks either in the store or in the app.
You can use PayPal to load your Starbucks card or use the payment service directly to pay for your Starbucks orders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all Starbucks locations have Apple Pay?
Yes, every Starbucks location accepts Apple Pay. Apple Pay may be used to make payments on the Starbucks app, in stores, and even for drive-thru orders.
What are the different ways using which you can make an Apple Pay payment at Starbucks?
You may pay with Apple Pay at Starbucks in a variety of ways, including using the face ID feature, the touch ID feature, the drive-thru, online and in-store orders, and the Apple Watch.
Does Starbucks UK accept Apple Pay?
No, Starbucks UK does no longer accept Apple Pay.
Final Thoughts
Starbucks has rapidly grown to adopt some of the leading digital payment services that everyone loves using nowadays when making payments.
That said, Starbucks takes Apple Pay as a payment method, and while you can use it to make direct payments, I recommend you use it to load your Starbucks card instead, so you'll be earning free coffee for making payments through your store card.