Yes, Dollar General accepts Apple Pay as a payment method, but that will be only in a few supported stores.
Dollar General hasn't officially documented its support for Apple Pay, but a few consumers have confirmed using it for payments at their local stores.
This Reddit thread, for example, confirms this.
You know what this means, right? Well, it means you can use your digital wallet to pay for your purchases at Dollar General, and if you're wondering how, I've compiled all the steps you need to take.
How to Set up Apple Pay to Use at Dollar General
You won't be able to use Apple Pay without setting it up—that's a fact. And what most people don't know is that Apple Pay is already pre-installed on their phones through the Wallet app.
This means you'll have to set up your Wallet app to enable Apple Pay, and this wallet requires a few things to get Apple Pay working properly, which include:
- An Apple Pay-supported device.
- A card that supports Apple Pay.
- Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode enabled for your device.
Once you're sure you have the aforementioned requirements, you'll need to follow these steps to set up Apple Pay through the Wallet app.
- Open the Wallet app on your device and tap the plus button.
- Select "Debit or Credit Card" then tap "Continue".
- Now, enter your card details in the Wallet by either scanning it with your device or typing in your card details manually.
- After you're done entering the card, just follow the onscreen instructions to have your wallet set up for Apple Pay.
If your card doesn't require additional verification to work with Apple Pay, it should be connected right away, and you should have Apple Pay ready for use.
How to Use Apple Pay at Dollar General
If you've visited a Dollar General store before, you may have had Apple Pay declined as a payment method. That's simply because they don't officially support Apple Pay as a payment method, just yet.
However, some Dollar General stores accept the digital wallet as a payment method, and if your local store does, you should see the contactless symbol indicating their support for the wallet.
If this is the case, you'll simply have to inform the cashier that you'll want to make your payment through Apple Pay. They'll show you where to scan and pay with Apple Pay through your phone or Watch.
In case your Dollar General store doesn't support Apple Pay and you really need to use the wallet for a payment, there's still a way, and that involves discussing with a store representative to know if they personally use Apple Pay. It is practically the same process as that for using Apple Pay at Dollar Tree.
Apple Pay has over 500 million active users worldwide, so there's a great chance that at least one worker in your local store uses the wallet. All you'll have to do when you find one using the wallet is propose if they can receive your payment through Apple Pay, and then make the payment on your behalf with what's accepted as a payment method (it can be cash or through a card).
You can even motivate the indirect transaction with a tip, and they'll likely be willing to help you out as long as what they hold can cover the cost of your purchase. So you should already know that you'll have fewer chances of using this method for bigger purchases.
Can I Get Cashback with Apple Pay at Dollar General?
You can only get cashback with Apple Pay at Dollar General if you use your Apple Cash instead of the digital wallet for payments. Doing so will earn you up to 3% cashback on eligible purchases, but it wouldn't be as obvious as with stores that accept Apple Pay directly.
What Other Payment Methods Does Dollar General Accept?
If you're unable to use Apple Pay to make payments at Dollar General, you still have a handful of payment methods to choose from, including: cash, personal checks, Discover cards, credit and debit cards, and digital payment options like PayPal and Spendwell.
Final Thoughts
While Dollar General is one of the renowned discount stores in the US, they haven't, however, fully embraced or adopted leading payment methods like Apple Pay. However, a few of their stores accept the digital wallet either directly or indirectly, as shown earlier.
This guide compiles all the ways to use Apple Pay at a Dollar General store, whether it accepts it or not, so you'll best know what to do regardless of the situation with your local store.