How to Send Money with Apple Pay Cash on iPhone

Apple Pay Cash lets you send and receive money right from your iPhone’s Messages app, using the same Apple Pay system you use in stores. You can split a dinner bill, pay a friend back, or send a gift, and the money lands in their Apple Cash card instantly. Before you start, make sure both you and the recipient have Apple Pay set up on a compatible iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch, and that you’ve added a debit or prepaid card to your Apple Wallet.

What You’ll Need

An iPhone with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode enabled
iOS 11.2 or later (most current iPhones have this)
Apple Pay set up with a debit or prepaid card in the Wallet app
The recipient must have Apple Pay Cash enabled (they’ll need to accept the first time)
Two-factor authentication enabled on your Apple ID (required for Apple Cash)
You must be in the U.S. (Apple Cash is currently only available there)

Step-by-Step

Open the Messages app on your iPhone. You can send money to anyone you can text with iMessage (blue bubbles).
Start a new conversation or open an existing one with the person you want to pay. Tap the text field at the bottom.
Tap the Apple Pay button (it looks like an Apple logo with a dollar sign) located in the app drawer above the keyboard. If you don’t see it, tap the “A� icon to expand the app drawer, then look for the Apple Pay icon.
Enter the amount using the number pad that appears. You can type any amount, for example 25.00 for $25. Make sure the amount is correct—this is the most common place to make a mistake.
Tap “Pay� at the top right. You’ll see a preview of the payment with the amount and the recipient’s name.
Confirm with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode to authorize the payment. This is required for security; it’s the same as double-clicking the side button for a store purchase.
Wait for the recipient to accept the payment. The first time someone receives Apple Cash, they’ll get a prompt to accept it. If they haven’t set up Apple Cash, they’ll see a message with instructions to do so.
Check the status in the conversation. You’ll see a green “Sent� bubble with the amount. If they haven’t accepted yet, it will say “Pending.� Once they accept, the money is added to their Apple Cash card.

Common Mistakes

Sending to the wrong person: Double-check the contact name before confirming. iMessage names can be similar, and you don’t want to send money to the wrong friend.
Using the wrong card: Apple Pay Cash uses your default debit card unless you change it. If you want to pay with a different card, you need to change your default card in Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay before sending.
Entering the amount incorrectly: It’s easy to type an extra zero or misplace a decimal. Always review the amount on the confirmation screen before authorizing.
Forgetting to accept the payment: If you’re the recipient, you must accept the payment within a certain time. If you ignore it, it will be returned to the sender after 30 days.
Assuming it works with Android: Apple Pay Cash only works between Apple devices. You can’t send to an Android phone via Messages.

Tips

Set up Apple Cash in advance: Go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay > Apple Cash and follow the prompts to activate it. This avoids delays when you need to send money quickly.
Add a debit card as your default: Apple Cash can only be funded from a debit or prepaid card, not a credit card. If you try to use a credit card, you’ll get an error.
Use the Apple Cash card for purchases: The money you receive sits on your Apple Cash card, which you can use anywhere Apple Pay is accepted, or transfer to your bank account for free.
Check your balance: You can see your Apple Cash balance in the Wallet app. It’s a good idea to know how much you have before sending.
For larger amounts, consider bank transfer: Apple Cash has a limit of $10,000 per transaction (and $20,000 over 7 days). For bigger payments, use a bank transfer or wire.

Troubleshooting

Payment fails or won’t send: Check that your iPhone is connected to the internet (Wi-Fi or cellular). Also ensure your debit card is valid and not expired. If the problem persists, restart your iPhone and try again.
Recipient doesn’t receive the payment: They might not have Apple Pay Cash set up. They’ll get a text message with a link to set it up. If they don’t accept within 30 days, the money is returned to you automatically.
You see “Cannot Send Payment�: This usually means your Apple Cash account isn’t fully verified. Go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay > Apple Cash and complete any verification steps (like confirming your identity).
Money was sent but not received: If the status shows “Sent� but the recipient says they didn’t get it, ask them to check their Apple Cash card balance in the Wallet app. Sometimes the notification is delayed.
Apple Pay button is missing: Make sure you’re in an iMessage conversation (blue bubble). If you’re texting a green bubble (SMS), Apple Pay Cash isn’t available. Also, check that Apple Cash is enabled in Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Apple Pay Cash free?

Yes, sending and receiving money with Apple Cash is free when you use a debit card. There’s a 3% fee if you use a credit card, but Apple Cash doesn’t allow credit cards for sending—only debit or prepaid cards.

How long does a transfer to my bank take?

Standard transfers to your bank account take 1-3 business days and are free. Instant transfers (for a 1.5% fee) are available in the Wallet app for immediate access.

Can I send money to someone without an iPhone?

No, Apple Pay Cash requires both sender and recipient to have Apple devices with iMessage. If the recipient has an Android, you’ll need to use a different service like Venmo or Zelle.

What if I sent money to the wrong person?

If the recipient hasn’t accepted the payment yet, you can cancel it by tapping the payment in the conversation and choosing “Cancel Payment.� If they’ve already accepted, you’ll need to ask them to send it back.

Is there a limit on how much I can send?

Yes, Apple Cash limits are $3,000 per transaction and $10,000 over 7 days for sending. The exact limits may vary based on your account verification status.

Can I use Apple Pay Cash to pay a business?

Apple Pay Cash is designed for person-to-person payments. For businesses, you’d use Apple Pay in stores or online, but not the Cash feature.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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