America’s leading supermarket chain, Costco Wholesale, known for low prices and bulk savings, is at the center of an online debate. Members use a digital card to enter stores, use self-checkout, and earn rewards, basically to make their shopping experience more convenient.
Many shoppers are frustrated as Costco still doesn’t allow its membership card in Apple Wallet. The shoppers need to provide either a physical card or a digital membership card accessed through the official Costco mobile app.
Unlike many other retailers, Costco doesn’t allow its membership card to be stored directly in Apple Wallet. For members who rely on their phones, having to open the Costco app adds an extra daily step.
Costco’s Membership Card Sparks Ongoing Frustration Among Shoppers
Costco’s membership card has recently become a hot topic on Reddit and other online platforms. Because it can’t be added to Apple Wallet, many shoppers describe the membership card as outdated and inconvenient. Customers across the country say the digital membership card, which must be accessed through the Costco app, feels less tech-friendly than other options they use every day.
This has sparked questions from customers, including, why won’t Costco allow membership cards in Apple Wallet? On their website, they say, “The Digital Membership Card is designed to offer members advanced features and will not be available in Apple Wallet.” What advanced features are these? Why could those features not work in Apple Wallet?
Costco’s digital membership card uses features like member verification and changing QR codes that work within its own app system. Some Reddit users say that the Costco app helps ensure memberships aren’t shared or copied, something that may be harder to manage through Apple Wallet.
The text chain continues and mentions that Apple Wallet may not support how Costco’s QR codes update or verify. It will be more difficult, especially in areas with weak signals inside warehouses.
Costco has become stricter about confirming member identity, and keeping the card in its own app gives the company more control.
Why Costco Hasn’t Integrated Apple Wallet
According to the official Costco website, it simply states that “The Digital Membership Card is designed to offer members advanced features and will not be available in Apple Wallet.”
The company has not provided a detailed public explanation. However, as per the Reddit discussion thread, the current system relies on QR codes generated within the app and tied directly to a member’s account.
Industry observers note that dynamic membership verification and security controls may be easier to manage inside the company’s own platform.
One of the users also pointed out, “My main guess is the Costco app used a rolling QR code to scan at registers, so it can’t be screenshotted or copied to be shared. I’ve never seen a card with that ability through Apple Wallet.”
Having the membership card within the Costco app also ensures customers open the app itself.
Apple Wallet vs. Costco Membership: 2026 User Figures
Based on the Statista data, Costco cardholders worldwide number around 81 million paid membership accounts, representing roughly 145 million total cardholders, including household members.
While Capital One Shopping research shows Apple Wallet is used by an estimated 800 million people worldwide.
The gap highlights how widespread digital wallets are compared with Costco’s membership system and how common digital wallets have become, fueling customer expectations for broader compatibility.
A Small Issue Turns into a Big Irritation for Shoppers
Since the membership card can’t be added to Apple Wallet, shoppers must open the Costco app each time they enter or check out. The process takes longer than a simple Wallet tap. Members also miss out on a single, combined Wallet experience on their iPhones or Apple Watches.
The supermarket giant maintains tight control over security by keeping the digital card inside its app. It may also reduce the risk of misuse or unauthorized sharing.
Reddit comments such as “Costco is extremely slow at tech adoption” and “They’re stuck in the 1970s with their technology” highlight the growing frustration among shoppers. It also points to a bigger challenge the company could face going forward.
With technology advancements every day, digital wallets become part of everyday life, and shoppers expect simple, quick access to everything on their phones. Shoppers hope Costco will modernize its membership experience to make shopping more convenient.
