Does Hobby Lobby Take Apple Pay? Updated (2024)

When you’re out shopping for craft supplies and home decor items at Hobby Lobby, you might wonder, “Does Hobby Lobby take Apple Pay?” Using your mobile wallet is super convenient, but not every store accepts it yet. Let’s find out if you can pay with Apple Pay at Hobby Lobby.

Does Hobby Lobby Take Apple Pay?

The Short Answer: No, Hobby Lobby Does Not Directly Accept Apple Pay

Unfortunately, Hobby Lobby has not updated its checkout systems to accept mobile payments like Apple Pay or Google Pay directly. When you go to pay at a Hobby Lobby store, you’ll need to use cash, a physical credit/debit card, a check, or other traditional payment methods.

However, there is a cool workaround that lets you indirectly use Apple Pay at Hobby Lobby! We’ll cover that a bit later. But first, let’s look at why Hobby Lobby hasn’t adopted Apple Pay yet.

Why Doesn’t Hobby Lobby Take Apple Pay?

There are a few potential reasons why the popular arts and crafts retailer hasn’t integrated Apple Pay support into their payment systems:

Training Cashiers Takes Time and Money

Whenever a new payment technology is introduced, all the cashiers need to be trained on how to use it properly. This training takes time and money that some businesses may not want to invest right away.

Upgrading Payment Terminals Is Expensive

To accept contactless mobile payments like Apple Pay, stores need to upgrade their payment terminals and checkout systems, which can be a costly process across all store locations.

Paypal Integration Already Exists

Hobby Lobby’s website accepts PayPal payments, which may have reduced the urgency to adopt another digital wallet system. However, PayPal isn’t as seamless as in-store mobile payments.

While the reasons make sense from a business perspective, not accepting increasingly popular payment methods like Apple Pay can alienate some customers over time.

How to Use Apple Pay at Hobby Lobby (A Workaround!)

Even though Hobby Lobby itself doesn’t take Apple Pay directly, there’s a neat workaround that lets you use your Apple Pay account to make purchases – both online and in physical Hobby Lobby stores!

The solution involves a handy service called Zip, which generates single-use virtual Visa debit card numbers linked to your mobile payment accounts like Apple Pay.

Using Zip is easy:

1. Download the Zip App

First, download the free Zip app on your iPhone or Android device.

Open the Zip app and sign up for a free account. Once logged in, you can link your Apple Pay account in the app’s settings.

3. Get a Virtual Card Number for Hobby Lobby

In the Zip app, select the option to get a new single-use virtual debit card number specifically for Hobby Lobby purchases.

4. Use the Virtual Card to Check Out

For online orders at Hobby Lobby’s website, simply enter the new virtual debit card info at checkout to use your Apple Pay balance.

And for in-store purchases, just tell the cashier you’ll be paying with a credit/debit card. When prompted, hold your phone near the card reader and the Zip app will transmit your virtual card to complete the Apple Pay purchase!

Pretty neat, huh? The Zip service acts as a bridge, letting you use Apple Pay wherever Visa debit cards are accepted – even in places that haven’t upgraded to direct mobile wallet support yet.

There is a $1 fee each time you generate a new Zip virtual card number. But it’s a small price to pay for the convenience of using your preferred Apple Pay!

The Benefits of Using Apple Pay

Now you know a simple workaround for using Apple Pay at Hobby Lobby. But why would you want to use the mobile payment service? Here are some of the major benefits:

Contactless Payments Are Super Secure

With Apple Pay, you never have to hand your actual payment card to someone else or let it out of your sight. This adds a great layer of security against electronic pickpocketing of your card info.

Faster Checkout Than Chip Cards

Paying with a mobile wallet like Apple Pay is much faster than inserting a chip card, waiting for approval, and providing a signature or PIN. It saves you time!

Easy Access to Multiple Payment Accounts

Have a credit card that earns bonus rewards at Hobby Lobby? With just a couple of taps, you can switch between the debit, credit, and other payment accounts you have loaded into your Apple Pay wallet.

Your Card Info Stays Private

When you use Apple Pay, the merchant never has access to your name, credit card number, or other private payment information. This protects you from data breaches and credit card fraud.

With all these advantages, it’s easy to see why so many people love the convenience and security of mobile wallets like Apple Pay. And thanks to tools like Zip, you can enjoy those benefits even at retailers like Hobby Lobby that haven’t integrated direct mobile payment support yet.

Benefits of Using Google Pay at Hobby Lobby

We’ve focused a lot on using Apple Pay, but what if you have an Android phone and want to use Google’s mobile payment system, Google Pay?

Unfortunately, the news isn’t great – Hobby Lobby does not directly accept Google Pay payments either, nor does the Zip service support linking Google Pay accounts yet.

However, some cards that are already saved in your Google Pay app may generate single-use virtual debit card numbers through their own card’s mobile app or website. So while not as seamless, you may be able to find a few hoops to jump through and use certain cards in your Google Pay at Hobby Lobby by generating single-use virtual card numbers.

Hopefully, Google Pay integration with services like Zip is coming soon to make things easier!

Other Payment Options at Hobby Lobby

Since Hobby Lobby hasn’t adopted every type of mobile digital wallet yet, you may need to use one of their other accepted payment methods:

Cash
Personal Checks
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover Credit/Debit Cards
PayPal (online orders only)

You can also purchase physical Hobby Lobby gift cards to pay with on future visits.

And of course, you now know the handy Zip virtual card workaround to use your Apple Pay funds in-store or online!

Will Hobby Lobby Add Apple Pay Soon?

As contactless mobile payments continue growing in popularity, there will likely be increasing pressure on major retailers like Hobby Lobby to integrate mobile wallet acceptance in the coming years.

Some of the reasons Hobby Lobby may add direct Apple Pay and Google Pay support soon include:

Providing a seamless checkout experience that customers are coming to expect
Increased security and fraud protection for both customers and the retailer
Reduced costs and staffing needs compared to handling cash or card payments
Ability to offer their mobile wallet app with incentives, digital receipts, and more

While there’s no official timeline yet, customer demand and the push towards a cashless society may force Hobby Lobby’s hand in the next few years. When that happens, we’ll be sure to update this guide!

Summary: Using Mobile Payments at Hobby Lobby in 2024

To quickly sum up the key points about using mobile wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay at the popular arts and crafts retailer:

Hobby Lobby does not currently accept Apple Pay or Google Pay as a direct payment method in their stores or online.
You can use a workaround service like Zip to generate single-use virtual Visa debit card numbers linked to your Apple Pay. This allows you to indirectly use Apple Pay at Hobby Lobby online and in physical store locations.
While Google Pay isn’t supported through Zip yet, some individual cards may offer virtual card number generation in their apps.
The convenience, speed, and security benefits of mobile contactless payments will likely push Hobby Lobby and other major retailers to integrate direct mobile wallet support in the coming years.

We hope this guide has helped explain your mobile payment options when shopping at Hobby Lobby in 2024! Let us know in the comments if you have any other questions.