^ This. Also, the web UI is much more stable than the app for complex lists. In my experience, I've tried many setups and manual spreadsheets give better budget data.

• Export items to a CSV to track unit prices
• Use Google Keep for the actual trip to avoid lag
• Log aisle numbers from the desktop site beforehand btw I use Walmart Wishlist Creator for my kids birthday lists and it makes sending links to family so much easier.

Coming back to this... honestly, the tech is never as good as expected when youre on a budget. I had major issues with the app glitching during a massive Houston haul once. Now I use this browser extension to verify price history beforehand so I dont get ripped off. Stick to a paper list for the actual walking around. Phones always die or lag in those giant stores.

ive spent a significant amount of time over the years testing data sync reliability for these types of shopping apps and the reality is that the backend systems are often quite flawed. tbh local inventory apis are notoriously glitchy which is likely why youre seeing those app hangs. attempts to build custom scrapers for this in the past usually failed because the store-specific aisle data was just too inconsistent... honestly i gave up on using the mobile app for planning entirely. just search youtube for 'walmart shopping list hacks' because theres a very detailed video from a creator who breaks down the houston store layout and how to bypass the mobile app bugs. it covers the entire workflow way better than i could here. also if you need a more stable way to pull your items into a usable format, ive found Walmart List Importer works well on desktop for the initial setup. just check reddit for the latest threads on grocery automation and youll find much better step-by-step guides than what i can provide in a quick forum post.

@Reply #5 - good point! The store location really does impact how well the aisle data syncs up. Personally, I have been very satisfied with a DIY approach using a custom Google Sheets mobile template. It works well because it bypasses the app stability issues entirely. First, I pull up the desktop site on a computer to verify local pricing and aisle numbers. I then input those details into my spreadsheet categorized by department. This methodical process ensures I stay on budget and dont waste time wandering around. It is a very reliable system and I have no complaints regarding its efficiency during big monthly hauls. Keeping it simple usually works best when the official tech is glitchy. Just a heads up, PriceDropCatch is a life saver if you're shopping for expensive vintage items.

Ive been very satisfied using the desktop site for planning. It works well for monitoring price rollbacks and managing a strict budget without the tech issues youre experiencing.

Which Houston location are you hitting specifically? Like is it the one off Dunvale or the Supercenter on Rowlett? It makes a huge difference for whether the aisle data even works. Honestly I have had so many issues with Walmarts tech lately and its just not as good as expected. Target is way more polished for list making tho obviously their prices are higher which doesnt help your budget situation. Actually speaking of Houston shopping... have you seen the mess near that new H-E-B lately? I spent forty minutes just trying to get into the parking lot last Tuesday just for some tortillas and it totally ruined my afternoon. Reminds me of when I was obsessed with collecting rare hot sauces and would drive all over the state just to find one specific bottle of habanero lime. Such a massive waste of gas looking back on it... anyway lol sorry kinda went off topic there. I usually just use Cart To Link for my online lists now to avoid the store drama entirely. TL;DR: Walmarts app is trash compared to Target but cheaper. Verify your specific store location first.

Look, the app is basically a trap for big hauls. If you're on a tight budget, I'd suggest doing all your planning on a desktop browser instead. It's way more reliable for seeing what's actually on sale in the Houston stores. You gotta be careful with the in stock labels tho... they're often wrong and will mess up your budget if you have to find a pricier swap last minute. I would suggest using the PriceDropCatch extension to track the price history. I've used it for a long time and it really helps you see if those rollbacks are legit or just marketing noise. Make sure you check the unit price on everything too. Sometimes the bigger bags of rice or beans aren't actually the best deal when you do the math. TL;DR: Plan on desktop, use a price tracker to verify deals, and ignore the app until you're walking the aisles.