Dollar General, boasting over 19,000 locations across 47 states, is one of the United States’ foremost and most expansive variety store chains. Renowned for its affordability and extensive deals, most patrons frequent its stores in pursuit of budget-friendly items. Dollar General accommodates various payment forms to cater to the convenience of both in-store and online shoppers.

Yet, the recurring inquiry persists for those who wield Apple devices: “Does Dollar General Take Apple Pay?”

Does Dollar General Take Apple Pay At The Store?

Yes, Dollar General accepts Apple Pay as a payment method. The retail chain gradually noticed that the popularity of Apple Pay as a secure and convenient digital wallet and payment system was rising among its customers, so it began to take a positive stance in accepting Apple Pay.

The retail chain’s official website also confirms that it accepts Apple Pay as one of the contactless payment methods. Another tweet from 2023 from a customer also confirms that Dollar General supports Apple Pay.

However, one of Dollar General’s customers raised an issue about Apple Pay’s non-acceptance in a tweet on July 18, 2020. The retail chain replied, ‘Some of our stores have been updated and have that feature! It’s best to check with the nearest store to see if they’re offering that option yet.’

So, the answer to your question about whether Dollar General accepts Apple Pay is that it may take this payment method at selected stores, but you might want to confirm with your store on your next visit.

Does Dollar General Take Apple Pay Online?

Dollar General’s online shopping platform does not currently offer Apple Pay as a payment option. However, it provides an alternative called DG GO!, which serves as its mobile wallet for online purchases. Within DG GO!, customers can utilize payment methods such as PayPal, credit cards, and debit cards.

Unfortunately, despite DG GO! ‘s convenience, it lacks compatibility with popular mobile payment systems like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. Therefore, customers who prefer using these specific mobile payment options must explore alternative methods when shopping online at Dollar General.

Locating Dollar General Stores That Accept Apple Pay

You can check with a Dollar General store directly to see if it accepts Apple Pay. You can call the store or inquire at the cash register when you arrive.

Another option is to search for ‘Apple Pay’ in maps on your iPhone. Type ‘Dollar General stores near me’ in the search bar. You will see the ‘Useful to Know’ tab under each store when you get the list of stores. This tab might give you information on whether Dollar General takes Apple Pay.

Using Apple Pay at Dollar General

Now that you know that Dollar General accepts Apple Pay, here is how you can use effortlessly during the in-store checkout:

Sign in with your Apple ID for the device you want to use for Apple Pay.
Make sure that you upload accurate credit card details to the device.
Check for Apple Pay or a contactless payment symbol.
Hold your device near the card reader till the transaction is complete.

Other Payment Forms Accepted At Dollar General

Dollar General accepts all forms of payment to avoid causing any inconvenience to its millions of customers.

Cash
Apple, Google, and Samsung Pay contactless payment methods
Contactless debit and credit cards
Pin and pinless debit cards
Pin and pinless credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, China Union Pay (CUP), and Japan Credit Bank (JCB)
Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards
Over-the-counter (OTC) cards
Paper and digital coupons
Checks
Individual and bulk gift cards, including DG gift cards

DG Go – Alternative To Apple Pay For Dollar General Shoppers

The confusion around whether Dollar General accepts contactless payment also arises due to the retail chain’s digital marketing strategy. Dollar General wants to push the DG GO app to its customers, which is their in-house version of contactless payment.

It rolled out DG GO a few years ago to offer customers a scan-and-go app similar to Amazon Go. Customers can download the DG Go app from the App Store or Google Play Store on Android and Apple devices.

Benefits of Using DG GO

The significant benefit of the DG GO app is that you can skip the long queues at the manned registers. The stores have a dedicated customer service counter for DG GO app users. Imagine the time you can save, especially during the rush hours or festive season!

The app displays the best weekly deals at your nearest store, which allows you to take advantage of these deals for instant savings.

The app also has built-in features to automatically apply digital coupons, discounts, promotions, and special deals to your shopping. With a few clicks on your smartphone, you can get more for less!

When you use the DG GO app, you can see the running total as you shop in the store. If you surpass the budget, you can re-evaluate your shopping list.

Tips to Use DG GO

The DG GO app allows you to create an online account by filling out the required personal information. You can then link one or more cards and other payment systems to the app and set a default form of payment.

When you visit the Dollar General store, you can put the shopping items in your basket and scan them using the DG GO app to add them to your digital shopping cart. There is a separate self-service checkout aisle where DG GO app customers can scan the QR code, pay for the shopping, and leave the store. You can spot this checkout area easily through its DG GO sign or branding.

After the payment, you will receive a virtual bill. You can then bag your shopping items and leave the store. You can carry a bag from home or get one from the DG GO checkout counter.

Currently, the DG GO app is available at selected stores in the US. However, the retail chain plans to launch at other locations in different phases in the upcoming years.

Why Your Nearest Dollar General Store Might Not Be Taking Apple Pay?

There are two main reasons why you are facing issues with Apple Pay at Dollar General:

Unavailability of NFC Technology

Apple devices need Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to make digital payments. If the payment infrastructure of a physical store or an online store at a particular Dollar General location doesn’t support NFC, you will not be able to use Apple Pay.

Given the growing demand for NFC for contactless payments, Dollar General is gradually integrating it into its system.

Unavailability of ‘Tap to Pay’ Feature

Technology plays a vital role in ‘tap pay’ payments, too. The first condition is that your iPhone should have a ‘tap to pay’ feature. The second condition is that the Dollar General store must also have a compatible Apple device and a supporting payment app.

Some other reasons could be that the Apple Pay server is down, your credit card linked to Apple Pay has expired, or your Apple device needs a reset.

Conclusion

To sum it up, the answer is yes. However, it is available at only selected stores. Hence, you should check whether your local store accepts Apple Pay. Keeping an alternate payment option is also advisable to avoid any last-minute payment issues.