As noted by 9to5Mac over the weekend, Walmart still does not accept contactless payment options like Apple Pay at its more than 4,500 stores across the U.S., and there is no indication that will be changing any time soon.


It is not just Apple Pay that is affected. Walmart also does not allow customers to use Google Pay or Samsung Pay, and you cannot tap a credit or debit card either.

It is far from the first time that we have reported on this topic, but Walmart has still not changed course, despite endless customer complaints.

Last year, a Walmart spokesperson told MacRumors that the retailer remained focused on its own payment technologies in the Walmart app, including Walmart Pay and Scan & Go, but these options are not as convenient as one-tap Apple Pay.

To use Walmart Pay, customers must add a payment card to the Walmart app, and then scan a QR code displayed at the checkout to complete payment. This system allows Walmart to track a customer's purchase history and learn their habits, which is likely the biggest underlying reason that the retailer does not accept Apple Pay.

Scan & Go allows Walmart+ members to save time by scanning barcodes on items while they shop, rather than having to scan all of the items at a self-checkout register later. This can save you time, but Apple Pay is still not accepted.

Apple Pay has a lot of privacy protections, including hiding actual credit card numbers, and this would make it harder for Walmart to track customers.

Apple Pay launched more than 10 years ago, and it was accepted at more than 90 percent of U.S. retailers as of 2022, according to Apple. Some other major Apple Pay holdouts in the U.S. have reversed course and started accepting it over the past few years, including The Home Depot, Lowe's, Kroger, and Texas grocery store chain H-E-B, leaving Walmart as one of the country's only major retailers that does not accept Apple Pay.

Interestingly enough, Walmart has accepted Apple Pay in Canada since 2020, but apparently it is not willing to offer that luxury in America for now.
This article, "Walmart Still Doesn't Accept Apple Pay in the U.S. in 2026, Here's Why" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is now ready to roll starting with the most affordable33% off. Everything else awaits below. 

more…

9to5Mac Security Bite is exclusively brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Making Apple devices work-ready and enterprise-safe is all we do. Our unique integrated approach to management and security combines state-of-the-art Apple-specific security solutions for fully automated Hardening & Compliance, Next Generation EDR, AI-powered Zero Trust, and exclusive Privilege Management with the most powerful and modern Apple MDM on the market. The result is a totally automated Apple Unified Platform currently trusted by over 45,000 organizations to make millions of Apple devices work-ready with no effort and at an affordable cost. Request your EXTENDED TRIAL today and understand why Mosyle is everything you need to work with Apple.

---

Talk of the largest grocer in the world not supporting Apple Pay or any Tap to Pay solution for that matter is making the rounds on social media again. It is worth mentioning that there are real security benefits behind this technology. While the vast majority of users choose tapping for payment because it is quick and easy, there is a lot happening behind the scenes to keep your information private.

more…

While most sources in the Apple rumor scene agree that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature under-screen Face ID, there continues to be conflicting rumors about how that change might impact the Dynamic Island.


In a post on social media platform X today, the account "ShrimpApplePro" claimed that the Dynamic Island will be "shorter" on the iPhone 18 Pro models, as a result of some Face ID components moving under the screen. Only the front camera and Face ID's infrared camera will remain visible on the devices, they said.

"ShrimpApplePro" has accurately leaked some details about devices like the iPhone 15 Pro and Apple Watch Series 9 in the past, but they are not always correct. Early rumors should always be treated with some skepticism.

Last month, The Information said that the front camera would be moved to the top-left corner of the screen on the iPhone 18 Pro models. The report explicitly said this change would help to eliminate the pill-shaped cutout in the screen, but "ShrimpApplePro" evidently believes that the Dynamic Island will live on in a smaller way.

YouTube channel Front Page Tech mocked up an iPhone 18 Pro with both the front camera and a smaller Dynamic Island in the top-left corner of the screen, but the video might simply be combining the two rumors mentioned above.

While the exact implementation remains to be seen, the good news is that it really does sound like under-screen Face ID is finally happening this year.

South Korean publication ETNews today reported (via "Jukan") that the iPhone 18 Pro models will use under-screen infrared technology from Samsung, which would pave the way for under-screen Face ID. The report also said the devices will use so-called LTPO+ display technology, which would likely be more power efficient than the current LTPO technology in the iPhone 17 series. This upgrade should contribute to longer battery life.

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro models in September, and hopefully the Face ID and Dynamic Island rumors are more clear by then.
This article, "iPhone 18 Pro: Under-Screen Face ID, Dynamic Island Debated, LTPO+" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

2026 may turn out to be the year of OpenAI’s first hardware product, according to the company’s policy chief. Meanwhile, Jony Ive’s ‘io’ team at OpenAI has made a notable Apple veteran hire.

more…

Apple released the new M5 MacBook Pro last October, but we’re still waiting on the more powerful M5 Pro and M5 Max variants of that machine. Here’s when to expect that update to be released …

more…

In an annual tradition, Apple is celebrating Martin Luther King Jr Day on its homepage, with quotes from the civil rights champion.

This year’s featured quote is “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” …

more…

Apple has updated its homepage to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. today. The page highlights some of King's most impactful quotes, and invites people to explore his legacy further through the Apple Books and Apple Podcasts apps.


Apple shows photos of Dr. King visiting a church in Miami, Florida, holding a news conference in Birmingham, Alabama, and speaking to a crowd in Jackson, Mississippi.

Apple has ran a full-page Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. homepage tribute for more than a decade.

"We honor Dr. King and reflect upon his life and legacy," says Apple.

Apple CEO Tim Cook also paid tribute to Dr. King.


Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the United States. Given it is a federal holiday, the Apple news cycle might be relatively quieter today.
This article, "Apple Honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. With Full-Page Website Tribute" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

One of the biggest visual changes we’re expecting with this year’s iPhone 18 Pro is a punch-hole selfie camera, with the Face ID module invisibly embedded into the display.

Until recently, we’d been expecting this to be centered in the same way as the current camera and Face ID module. However, one report has suggested that the punch-hole selfie camera would instead be relocated to the top-left corner, where the clock currently lives. If so, logically the Dynamic Island would move with it, and this is shown in a new video render …

more…

Chrome for iOS will soon feature an option for iPhone users to import their Safari data into Google's mobile browser, avoiding the need to perform the transfer on desktop.


Starting in Chrome 145, currently in beta, the new feature will guide users through the process of importing bookmarks, browsing history, and passwords from Safari, since Chrome cannot transfer the data directly because of Apple's privacy rules.

The process involves manually exporting Safari browsing data to a zip file downloaded to the user's iPhone, and then selecting the file in Chrome for import using the new option.

Chrome's interface displays a breakdown of what will be imported, before doing so on the user's confirmation, then the browser offers to delete the zip file as a privacy measure.

The feature is currently appearing in the latest version of Chrome 145 in TestFlight, so it should begin to roll out with the next stable release.

(Via MacObserver.)
This article, "Google Chrome Is Getting a Safari Data Import Option on iPhone" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Meta's Threads has now reportedly surpassed its rival X (formerly Twitter) in daily mobile usage globally.


Market intelligence firm Similarweb (via TechCrunch) reports that Threads recorded 141.5 million daily active users across iOS and Android worldwide as of January 7, 2026, compared with 125 million daily active mobile users for X.

The data indicates that Threads crossed ahead of X on mobile sometime between late October and early November 2025, following a prolonged period of steady growth rather than a sudden spike. While X continues to attract more mobile users than Threads in the United States, Similarweb estimates that X's U.S. daily active mobile user base has declined significantly, falling to roughly half of what it was a year earlier, as Threads continues to gain ground.

Despite Threads' gains on mobile, Similarweb's data shows that X maintains a decisive lead when web usage is included. As of January 13, 2026, X was attracting an estimated 145.4 million daily web visitors, compared with approximately 8.5 million daily web visitors for Threads. When mobile and web audiences are combined, X is estimated to exceed 270 million daily users, while Threads totals roughly 150 million daily users across platforms.
This article, "Threads Usage Overtakes X on Mobile" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

We’re likely less than two weeks away from the launch of the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models. Performance estimates based on extrapolating from the difference between the base M4 and the more powerful variants suggests that the M5 Max MacBook Pro could deliver “astounding” Geekbench scores.

The analysis suggests that the M5 Max chip may be the first Apple GPU ever to break 250,000 on the Geekbench 6 compute test …

more…

Apple's iPhone 18 Pro models will have a front camera cutout in the top-left corner of the screen alongside a new under-display Face ID system, which will see the Dynamic Island software feature relocated to the same corner. That's according to the latest YouTube video from Front Page Tech's Jon Prosser.


Introduced on the iPhone 14 Pro, the Dynamic Island is the pill-shaped interactive area centered at the top of the screen that expands and contracts to display ongoing activities, while effectively hiding the front camera and Face ID sensor cutouts.

Prosser claims that Apple's new under-screen Face ID system will sit next to a top-left camera cutout, meaning the Dynamic Island no longer needs to be centered at the top. Instead, he claims it will likewise shift to the top left – where the time is shown on current iPhones – and periodically fly out from the corner to encompass the upper portion of the screen, allowing it to functionally remain the same.

There are several rumors suggesting the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will include under-display Face ID, with the TrueDepth camera hardware located under the display. However, reports regarding where it will be located under the screen and what this means for the Dynamic Island have not completely lined up.


The Information's Wayne Ma recently reported that Apple's adoption of under-screen Face ID for iPhone 18 Pro models will "eliminate the unsightly black oval that has appeared at the top of iPhone displays since 2022," with just a pinhole cutout for the selfie camera located at the upper left of the display.

Elsewhere, former display analyst Ross Young believes under-display Face ID is possible for the iPhone 18 Pro, but says a smaller Dynamic Island will still be present. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has echoed this view, reporting that the new models could feature a slimmed-down Dynamic Island rather than removing it entirely. Meanwhile, Chinese leaker Instant Digital has claimed that there will be a smaller Dynamic Island, but no under-display Face ID or under-display camera this year.

It's unclear whether Prosser's claim about the Dynamic Island is based on new information or a reasoned extrapolation from previous rumors. If it's the latter, one could argue another possibility is that reports of a camera cutout in the top-left corner of the display are based on leaked components that actually relate to an under-display Face ID system which has been relocated outside the Dynamic Island, allowing the latter to remain centered but reduced in size.


There is reason to believe that Prosser is just speculating, since's his latest video also regurgitates several iPhone 18 Pro rumors we've heard before, including new burgundy, brown, and purple colors for the devices, a new variable aperture camera system, a simplified Camera Control button, an A20 Pro chip, Apple's C2 modem, and full 5G satellite internet.

We should know for sure in September, when Apple is expected to unveil its new iPhone 18 Pro models alongside a rumored foldable iPhone, as part of a new split-launch cycle that will see the regular iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e launch in the spring next year.


Note: Apple in July sued Prosser and associate Michael Ramacciotti, alleging they obtained and leaked trade-secret information about unreleased iOS software by accessing a former Apple engineer's development device. After Prosser missed the initial deadline to respond, Apple sought and was granted a default judgment, seeking damages and an injunction to stop further leaks. Prosser later stated he has been engaging with Apple about the case, suggesting the dispute is still active rather than abandoned, but it has not stopped him from making videos about Apple rumors.
This article, "iPhone 18 Pro: Dynamic Island May Move to Top-Left Screen Corner" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

A new market intelligence report suggests that Threads is now more popular than X on iPhone and Android, although X still has a strong overall lead when web usage is taken into account.

Separately, the controversy over Grok generating non-consensual explicit images – including CSAM – has intensified, as xAI is now being sued by the mother of one of Elon Musk’s children …

more…

With iPhone Air, Apple reintroduced the MagSafe battery pack. It’s $99, and optimized specifically for iPhone Air. It’s rather slim, though it’s rather weak in capacity – making Qi2 alternatives all the more interesting. We’ll be delving into the top options on the market, just in case you want a MagSafe battery for your iPhone without spending $99, or aren’t buying the iPhone Air.

more…

MacBook Pro availability is tightening on Apple's online store, with select configurations facing up to a two-month delivery timeframe in the United States.


A few 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro configurations with an M4 Pro chip are not facing any shipping delay, but estimated delivery dates for many configurations with an M4 Max chip range from February 6 to February 24 or even later. At the extreme end, all built-to-order 14-inch MacBook Pro configurations with a 16-core M4 Max chip and 128GB of RAM are estimated to be delivered as late as March 17 on Apple's online store.


The entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro was updated with an M5 chip in October, but the wait continues for MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. There were already some signs that might point towards Apple announcing those models as early as this week, and perhaps the extended delivery timeframes further hint at an imminent refresh. However, ongoing RAM supply constraints could also be contributing to the shipping delays.

Apple unveiled MacBook Pro models with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips in January 2023, so there is precedent for a MacBook Pro refresh in January. Apple's Creator Studio bundle of creative apps launches on Wednesday, January 28, and the company will be holding its next quarterly earnings call on Thursday, January 29.
This article, "MacBook Pro Buyers Now Facing Up to a Two-Month Wait Ahead of New Models" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

iOS 27 is still many months away, but there are already plenty of rumors about new features that will be included in the software update.


The first beta of iOS 27 will be released during WWDC 2026 in June, and the update should be released to all users with a compatible iPhone in September.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that iOS 27 will be similar to Mac OS X Snow Leopard, in the sense that Apple is apparently focused on improving "quality and underlying performance." However, there will still be some new features, with many of them expected to fall under the Apple Intelligence umbrella.

Below, we have recapped eight rumored iOS 27 features in bold text:

• A more personalized version of Siri is expected to launch with iOS 26.4, and more changes are slated for iOS 27. Siri will reportedly have a new design, provide proactive suggestions, and remember past conversations.


• Several new Apple Intelligence features have been rumored, including an AI-powered Calendar app. A new Apple Health+ subscription service will reportedly include an AI health coach that offers nutrition planning and medical suggestions. Google Gemini will help power some of the new Apple Intelligence features.


• iOS 27 will reportedly support 5G satellite internet connectivity, although this functionality might be limited to the iPhone 18 Pro models. Additional satellite features have been rumored, including Apple Maps via satellite and the ability to send and receive photos when using Messages via satellite.

Over the coming weeks and months, additional iOS 27 rumors will likely surface.
This article, "iOS 27 Will Add These 8 New Features to Your iPhone" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

At WWDC25, Apple introduced a few new capabilities to the Photos app for iOS 26. Most notably, it reintroduces a tab bar layout after last year’s controversial single-page redesign. It also allows you to create spatial scenes from existing photos.

On top of those headlining features, there’s another underlying feature in the Photos app for iOS 26 that a lot of users might appreciate, and thats event details. Let’s explain.

more…

The year is 2026 and Walmart still doesn’t accept Apple Pay at any of its stores in the United States. This makes it one of the last remaining major retailers to not support Apple’s contactless payment platform. It’s a limitation that’s once again going viral on social media.

Here are a few reasons why Walmart doesn’t support Apple Pay …

more…

Apple Intelligence-powered Siri is very late, to say the least. That’s largely been because Apple has struggled to keep up with developing their own AI models. I’d say its largely played out this way because Apple has been hesitant to wanting to spend a lot of money, not to mention that Apple’s stance on privacy makes it hard to train a model – Apple just doesn’t have much data.

Nonetheless though, this delay actually comes with a bit of upside.

more…

Amazon this weekend is offering discounts across the M5 iPad Pro lineup, including both 11-inch and 13-inch models. The highlight this time around is a return of a low price on the 256GB Wi-Fi 11-inch M5 iPad Pro, which is on sale for $899.99, down from $999.00.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Many of the deals in this sale match — or beat — the record low prices we tracked during the holiday season. Amazon provides an estimated delivery date around January 23 for free delivery, but Prime members should see earlier delivery dates in many cases.




For the larger models, you can save up to $200 on the 13-inch M5 iPad Pro on Amazon this weekend. If you're shopping for the 1TB Nano-Texture Glass Wi-Fi model, Amazon has this tablet for $1,799.00, down from $1,999.00, as well as a few other 13-inch models between $100 and $200 off.

11-Inch M5 iPad Pro

• 256GB Wi-Fi - $899.99 ($99 off)


• 512GB Wi-Fi - $1,099.00 ($100 off)


• 1TB Wi-Fi - $1,499.00 ($100 off)


• 1TB Nano-Texture Glass Wi-Fi - $1,599.00 ($100 off)


• 2TB Wi-Fi - $1,851.00 ($148 off)


• 2TB Nano-Texture Glass Wi-Fi - $1,999.00 ($100 off)

13-Inch M5 iPad Pro

• 256GB Wi-Fi - $1,199.00 ($100 off)


• 512GB Wi-Fi - $1,399.00 ($100 off)


• 1TB Wi-Fi - $1,759.00 ($140 off)


• 1TB Nano-Texture Glass Wi-Fi - $1,799.00 ($200 off)


• 2TB Wi-Fi - $2,099.00 ($200 off)


• 2TB Nano-Texture Glass Wi-Fi - $2,199.00 ($200 off)

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

---

This article, "Get Up to $200 Off M5 iPad Pro on Amazon, Starting at $899.99" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

If you’re looking to kick off the new year with a new MacBook, now’s a fantastic time to buy. In recent years, Macs have become more and more affordable – largely in part because of Apple’s transition to Apple Silicon. These MacBooks are also more capable than ever.

Apple’s latest macOS Tahoe update also dropped support for practically all Intel Macs (with some small exceptions). If you’d like to stay on the latest and greatest Apple software, nows a fitting time to upgrade.

Keep up with all of the latest MacBook deals on 9to5Toys.

more…

At MacBook and iPad Pro users.

more…

Welcome to Indie App Spotlight. This is a weekly 9to5Mac series where we showcase the latest apps in the indie app world. If you’re a developer and would like your app featured, get in contact.

---

If you’re looking for a fresh set of wallpapers for your iPhone or iPad, Radiance is a great app to check out. It has a nice feeling interface, and it’s completely free of ads.

more…