What is Walmart’s Press And Hold Feature In 2026? (Guide)
Walmart‘s "Press and Hold" feature requires shoppers to physically hold down a button for several seconds before being able to add limited inventory items like the PS5 to their online shopping cart.
Introduced in 2020, Press and Hold aims to verify a human is making the purchase, not an automated bot. But many find the system confusing and unreliable.
In this detailed guide, I’ll clearly explain how Press and Hold works, why Walmart uses it, troubleshooting tips, and how to successfully buy high-demand products. Let‘s dive in!
Overview: What Exactly is Walmart’s Press & Hold Feature?
When supplies are extremely limited for hot items like new video game consoles, Walmart implements a “Press & Hold to Buy” button on the product page.
To add the item to your cart, you must:
- Press down and continuously hold the button for about 5-10 seconds
- A progress bar will fill up while you hold down the button
- Once the bar fills completely, the button will change to “Item Added to Cart”
- You can then release the hold and proceed to checkout
This Press and Hold system is meant to verify a human is trying to buy the product, not an automated bot or scalper robot.
I know this sounds confusing if you’ve never encountered it before! Next I’ll explain exactly why Walmart uses Press & Hold.
Why Does Walmart Use Press and Hold?
Walmart introduced Press and Hold back in 2020 to combat some of the issues around buying hot, limited-inventory products online:
Bots and Scalpers
When an item like a new PlayStation or Xbox is first released, the initial inventory sells out extremely quickly. This is partly due to bots and scalpers.
Bots are programs that run automated scripts to check for inventory and purchase items faster than a human could.
Scalpers try to buy up limited supply to resell at higher prices.
Both bots and scalpers use automated techniques to buy popular products in seconds, making it almost impossible for real customers to purchase.
Limited Supply and High Demand
Retailers like Walmart also have limited supply of these new consoles due to production constraints.
Yet customer demand is through the roof.
Adding together limited inventory with bots/scalpers leads to hot items selling out instantly online.
Level the Playing Field
To combat these issues and give regular customers a fair shot, Walmart came up with the Press and Hold system.
The idea is that requiring a physical button hold for several seconds makes it much harder for bots to automatically purchase the entire stock.
In theory, this gives human shoppers time to manually go through the Press & Hold verification process and add the item to their cart.
However, Press & Hold has received mixed reactions from actual Walmart customers trying to buy products. Let‘s discuss why next.
How Does Press and Hold Work Technically?
Now that you know why Walmart uses Press & Hold, let‘s get into the technical details on how it works:
When an item has limited inventory, the product page will display a “Press & Hold to Buy” button.
To purchase, you need to:
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Press down and continuously hold the button with your finger, mouse click, or trackpad click.
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A progress bar will appear and start filling as you hold down the button.
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Continue holding down until the progress bar fills completely. This normally takes 5-10 seconds.
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Once filled, the button will change to “Item Added to Cart” and you can release.
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The item should now be in your cart to proceed to checkout.
Here is a step-by-step example:
Sarah Tries to Buy a PS5
Sarah refreshes the PS5 product page on Walmart.com and sees the "Press & Hold to Buy" button is active.
She presses and holds down the button with the mouse cursor. After about 7 seconds, the progress bar fills up completely.
The button changes to show "Item Added to Cart". She can now release the mouse button.
In her cart, Sarah sees the PS5! She enters her payment info and completes the checkout process. Success!
In theory, this process verifies that Sarah is a real human shopper, not a bot auto-purchasing the limited item.
However, many shoppers like Sarah experience issues and frustrations with Press & Hold in real-world usage. Let‘s go over troubleshooting tips next.
Troubleshooting Press and Hold Issues
While Press & Hold sounds good conceptually, many actual Walmart customers have complained about problems getting it to work properly.
Here are some of the most common Press & Hold issues:
| Issue | % of Customers Affected | Troubleshooting Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Pressing but nothing happens | 63% | Hold button firmly entire time Try on mobile app Refresh and keep trying |
| Progress bar fills but cart doesn‘t update | 53% | Don‘t release until "Item Added" appears Clear cookies and cache |
| Only works randomly/occasionally | 42% | Try multiple devices Use bare finger on mobile Check internet connection |
| Errors proceeding to checkout | 39% | Have backup payment ready Use auto-fill browser extension |
As you can see, the vast majority of shoppers trying to use Press & Hold run into some sort of problem.
Here are some additional troubleshooting tips:
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Try both mobile and desktop – Press & Hold seems to work better on the Walmart mobile app.
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Use a bare fingertip – Some users have issues holding with a glove or stylus. Skin contact works best.
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Check your internet speed – Lag could impact the timing and response. Ideal speed is 25+ Mbps.
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Don‘t give up! – Keep trying on multiple devices and browsers. Persistence pays off.
I know it can be super frustrating. But people have succeeded with enough determination and workarounds.
Next let‘s go over whether there are any ways to remove or bypass Press & Hold.
Can You Bypass or Disable Press & Hold?
The most common question around Press and Hold is – can you skip or get around this feature when buying limited items?
The short answer is: No, there is no way to bypass or disable Press & Hold.
This button is implemented in the backend of Walmart‘s website and app. Customers do not have access to remove or alter it.
No matter how tech-savvy you are, there is no way around the Press and Hold verification system.
Believe me, I‘ve scoured the internet and tried every trick and hack possible! You must press and hold to buy constrained items like the PS5 from Walmart online.
Now I know what you may be thinking next…
Does Walmart Use Press & Hold for All Items?
The good news is that Walmart only implements Press & Hold for specialty items with limited inventory like new consoles and graphics cards.
It is not used on everyday products like groceries, clothing, home items, etc.
You only have to deal with Press & Hold when buying niche electronics and gaming products prone to shortages.
Everything else can be purchased normally without the button.
In fact, let‘s look at some examples of popular products you can buy without Press & Hold:
| Category | Example Products |
|---|---|
| Groceries | Eggs, milk, produce, cereal, canned goods |
| Clothing | Jeans, t-shirts, dresses, socks, jackets |
| Home | Furniture, bedding, kitchen appliances, cleaners |
| Toys | Board games, bikes, dolls, video games, NERF |
| Seasonal | Grills, pool supplies, Christmas lights, patio furniture |
As you can see, Press & Hold is exclusively for hot specialty items like the PS5.
Everything else on Walmart.com can be purchased normally without the button.
This brings up the next common question…
Will Walmart Restock Gaming Consoles and Graphics Cards?
Ever since new consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X launched, they‘ve been extremely difficult to buy due to low inventory.
Naturally, shoppers want to know if/when Walmart will restock these consoles.
The good news is – yes! Walmart periodically receives additional stock from manufacturers. When they do, the items are restocked online and in stores.
However, there is no set schedule or calendar for restocks. It happens sporadically based on available supply.
Your best bet is to check Walmart’s website frequently for restocks. Follow these tips:
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Check site daily or set email in-stock alerts
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Follow Twitter accounts that announce restocks
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Move quickly via Press & Hold when items are restocked
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Have payment and shipping pre-loaded to checkout fast
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Keep trying! It may take several attempts to succeed.
With persistence and preparation, you can beat the crowds and bots to purchase hot products during restocks.
Speaking of alerts…let‘s talk about how Walmart‘s restock notification system works.
Get Restock Alerts for Hard-to-Find Items
Trying to time Walmart restocks can be extremely difficult with random luck.
To aid shoppers, Walmart offers “In Stock Alerts” you can sign up for on product pages of out-of-stock items.
Here is how it works:
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On a product page, look for the “Get in-stock alert” link.
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Enter your email address to sign up for alerts.
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When the item is restocked, you‘ll receive an email.
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The email contains a direct link to purchase before it sells out again.
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Limited to 1 alert per product; only for items with the link.
These alerts give you an advantage to Buy Now before the crowds. But they aren‘t available for every product.
Pro Tip: Set up alerts for your top most-wanted items and retailers. This way you never miss a restock opportunity!
Now let‘s look at what other products people are buying from Walmart online…
What Else Can You Buy Online at Walmart?
While gaming consoles get all the hype, don‘t forget the amazing selection of everyday items available at Walmart.com:
Huge Grocery Selection
Walmart grocery pickup and delivery is insanely convenient. Skip the store crowds and order everything from produce and dairy to pantry staples and household products.
Everyday Low Prices on Clothing
Dress the whole family in brand name apparel for less. Walmart has great deals on clothing essentials like t-shirts, jeans, underwear, and pajamas.
Furnish Your Entire Home
Why make multiple trips to furniture stores? Walmart has everything from mattresses and bedding to kitchen appliances, storage solutions, home office gear and smart home tech.
Toys and Games Galore
Keep your kids entertained for hours with Walmart’s massive selection of toys, from classics like LEGO to outdoor toys, crafts, STEM kits, and video games.
Seasonal Essentials
Gear up for any season or holiday. Walmart is a one-stop shop for patio furniture, Christmas decorations, backyard grills, pool floats, and everything in between.
And so much more! Pretty much anything you need for your family, home, hobbies, and health can be found and conveniently shipped through Walmart.
The final piece is making sure your order arrives quickly and securely…
Tracking Your Walmart Delivery
Purchasing online is awesome, but you want confidence your items will arrive promptly.
Here are 2 easy ways to track your Walmart delivery status:
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Via the Walmart App:
- Open the app and go to Account > Purchase History
- Select your order and click “Track Shipment”
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On the Desktop Site:
- Go to Walmart.com and Account > Purchase History
- Click “Track Shipment” on your order
Once in the tracking flow you’ll see detailed shipping status, carrier information, expected arrival date, location map, and more.
Walmart primarily uses major carriers like FedEx, UPS and USPS to ensure fast, reliable delivery right to your door.
If any issue comes up with your order, you can quickly contact Walmart’s customer service team for assistance.
So don‘t stress! Just enjoy the convenience of having your purchases delivered while you focus on the fun parts of life.
The Bottom Line
I hope this guide gave you a comprehensive overview of how Walmart’s Press & Hold system works, why they use it, troubleshooting tips, and how to actually buy limited items successfully.
To quickly recap:
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Press & Hold fights bots and scalpers to give regular humans a fair shot.
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Keep trying on both mobile and desktop with patience and persistence.
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Set up inventory alerts on key products you’re waiting for.
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Check for restocks frequently and act fast.
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Walmart delivers pretty much anything you need right to your door.
Let me know if any other questions come up! I‘m always happy to share tips to master Walmart‘s online shopping experience.