Send & Request Money on Facebook Messenger iPhone

Facebook Messenger lets you send and request money directly in a chat, making it easy to split a dinner bill, pay a friend back, or collect for a group gift. You just link a debit card or PayPal account to your Facebook Pay wallet, then use the payment icon inside any conversation. This guide walks through the whole process on an iPhone, including what to do when a payment fails or gets stuck.

What You’ll Need

• An iPhone with the latest version of the Facebook Messenger app installed.
• A Facebook account that is in good standing (not temporarily locked or restricted).
• A valid U.S. debit card or a PayPal account to add to Facebook Pay. (Credit cards and prepaid cards generally aren’t supported for sending money.)
• For requesting money: the person you’re requesting from must also be in the U.S. and have a Facebook account.

Step-by-Step

Set Up Facebook Pay (First Time Only)

1. Open the Messenger app on your iPhone and tap your profile picture in the top-left corner.
2. Scroll down and tap Payments (or Facebook Pay). If you don’t see it, tap Account Settings first, then look for Payments.
3. Tap Add Debit Card or Add PayPal and follow the prompts. For a debit card, enter the card number, expiration date, CVV, and billing ZIP code. For PayPal, you’ll be asked to log in to your PayPal account to link it.
4. Verify your identity if prompted. Facebook may ask for the last four digits of your Social Security number or other details to confirm it’s you. This is a one-time step.
5. Once the card or PayPal is added, you’re ready to send or request money.

Send Money in a Chat

1. Open the conversation with the person you want to pay.
2. Tap the plus (+) icon next to the message box.
3. Tap the Payments icon (it looks like a dollar sign or a card). If you don’t see it, tap More and then Payments.
4. Enter the amount in dollars and cents (e.g., 25.00).
5. Optionally add a note like “rent” or “dinner.”
6. Tap Pay at the top right.
7. Confirm the payment with your Face ID, Touch ID, or your iPhone passcode. The money is sent instantly, and the other person gets a notification in the chat.

Request Money in a Chat

1. Open the conversation with the person who owes you money.
2. Tap the plus (+) icon, then tap Payments (or More → Payments).
3. Enter the amount you want to request.
4. Add a note if you like, such as “concert ticket.”
5. Tap Request at the top right.
6. The other person will see your request in the chat and can tap Pay to send the money. You’ll be notified when they do.

Check Your Payment History and Balance

1. Go back to your profile picture → Payments.
2. You’ll see a list of your recent transactions, including pending requests.
3. If someone sends you money, it goes to your Facebook Pay balance (if you have one) or to your linked debit card/PayPal account automatically. You can see your balance at the top of the Payments screen.

Common Mistakes

• Using a credit card instead of a debit card. Facebook Pay only supports debit cards and PayPal for sending money. Credit cards are not accepted for person-to-person payments.
• Forgetting to set up Facebook Pay first. If you tap the payment icon and see a message about adding a card, you haven’t completed the one-time setup.
• Typing the wrong amount. Double-check the number before confirming. There’s no “are you sure?” after you hit Pay.
• Requesting from someone who isn’t in the U.S. Facebook Pay is only available to users in the U.S. and a few other countries. If the recipient is abroad, the option won’t appear.
• Expecting the money to arrive instantly in your bank. Transfers to a bank account can take 1-3 business days. Only the Facebook Pay balance is instant.

Tips

• Add a note to every payment or request so both of you remember what it’s for.
• Use Face ID or Touch ID for confirmation – it’s faster than typing your passcode every time.
• If you’re collecting money from multiple people (like for a group gift), send each person a separate request. There’s no group payment feature.
• Keep your debit card information up to date in Settings → Payments. If your card expires, payments will fail.
• For larger amounts, consider using a bank transfer or a dedicated payment app. Facebook Pay is convenient but not meant for big purchases.

Troubleshooting

Payment Won’t Go Through

• Check that your debit card is valid and hasn’t expired. Go to Payments → Payment Methods and update if needed.
• Make sure you have enough funds in your bank account. Facebook will decline the payment if the card is declined.
• Try removing the card and adding it again. Sometimes a glitch in the card token causes failures.
• If you’re using PayPal, make sure your PayPal account is verified and has a linked bank account or balance.

Request Not Showing Up

• Ask the other person to check their Messenger chat with you. The request appears as a message in that conversation.
• Make sure you’re both using the latest version of Messenger. Outdated apps can cause sync issues.
• If the request still doesn’t appear, try closing the app and reopening it, or restarting your iPhone.

Money Sent but Not Received

• First, check your own transaction history in Payments. If it says “Completed,” the money left your account.
• Ask the recipient to check their Facebook Pay balance or linked bank account. Sometimes transfers take a couple of days.
• If it’s been more than 3 business days, contact Facebook support through the Payments screen (tap Help).

Facebook Pay Not Available

• Facebook Pay is only available in the U.S. and a few other countries. If you’re outside those regions, the option won’t appear.
• Your account must be at least 18 years old. If you’re under 18, you can’t use payments.
• If you recently changed your Facebook password or had a security alert, you may need to re-verify your identity before payments work again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a fee to send money on Messenger?

No, sending and requesting money through Facebook Pay is free. There are no fees for person-to-person payments.

Can I send money to someone outside the U.S.?

No. Facebook Pay only works between accounts in the same supported country, and the U.S. is the primary market. Both sender and recipient must be in a supported region.

How long does it take for the money to reach my bank account?

If you have a Facebook Pay balance, you can transfer it to your bank account, which typically takes 1-3 business days. Payments sent directly from your debit card go to the recipient instantly.

Can I cancel a payment after I’ve sent it?

No, once you confirm a payment, it cannot be canceled. You’ll need to ask the recipient to send the money back.

What happens if someone doesn’t pay my request?

Your request stays in the chat until they either pay it or decline it. You can also send a reminder by tapping the request and selecting “Remind.”

Is Facebook Pay safe to use?

Facebook Pay uses encryption and requires authentication (Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode) for each transaction. However, it’s still a good idea to only send money to people you know and trust.

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