After years of being one of the few major retailers without support for Apple Pay, Hobby Lobby is quietly adding the service at its registers. Customers in multiple locations have recently reported that the crafts retailer now accepts Apple Pay, though the transition is still in progress and not yet nationwide.
Over the past week, social media users have shared videos and posts confirming that certain Hobby Lobby stores now support tap-to-pay using Apple Pay. These findings first came from customers who discovered that their local stores accepted the mobile wallet payment method at checkout. While the changes aren’t yet visible everywhere, the signs of rollout are real.
What’s Changing and Where It Matters
Conversations with several Hobby Lobby outlets reveal that the company is installing updated payment terminals capable of processing Apple Pay transactions. This hardware upgrade is seen as a key part of making the switch possible. Stores that have received new terminals are offering the service; others are not. Hobby Lobby expects full implementation across all stores by the end of the year, though no official schedule for individual locations has been shared.
Hobby Lobby’s acceptance of Apple Pay marks a departure from its long-standing policy. For a long time, the retailer resisted adding the mobile payment option even as competitors adopted it. Walmart, for instance, began a staggered rollout of Apple Pay starting August 24, 2026, well ahead of Hobby Lobby’s initial steps.
Why Now?
Customers have long expressed frustration over Hobby Lobby’s reluctance to support digital wallets like Apple Pay. These complaints increased in 2025, prompting public pressure for change. Meanwhile, the broader retail ecosystem has continued to shift toward contactless payments and mobile wallet options, especially in light of consumer demand for speed, convenience, and contactless interactions.
The adoption of Apple Pay reflects several converging trends: merchants updating point-of-sale infrastructure, evolving consumer expectations around payment ease and security, and competition pushing retailers to keep pace with payment technology. Mobile wallets and contactless payments are no longer fringe options but expected standards at many large chains.
For now, shoppers are advised to check whether their local Hobby Lobby supports Apple Pay before relying on it. The transition is ongoing and may vary widely by region.
What this means: Hobby Lobby’s decision to add Apple Pay is more than just a new payment option—it shows the retailer is responding to long-standing customer demand and aligning with broader payment trends. The phased rollout highlights the challenges of updating legacy POS systems, but with a full deployment expected by year’s end, customers can anticipate Apple Pay becoming a standard option in Hobby Lobby stores nationwide. Keep an eye on your local store’s payment terminal status if you’re hoping to go wallet-free.
