How to Set up Cash App on Your Smartphone (2024)

Cash App is the name of a popular mobile payment service that lets you electronically send money to friends and family with just a smartphone. Cash App is free to use and accepts debit cards, credit cards, and Bitcoin. Here's a closer look at what Cash App is, how to set it up, and how to send your first payment.

What Is Cash App?

Formerly known as Square Cash, Cash App is a peer-to-peer mobile payment app founded by mobile payment platform Square in 2013. Cash App lets you send money to someone with just a phone number, email address, or $Cashtag (a unique Cash App ID).

Other important things to know about Cash App:

  • Cash App is free to use for sending, receiving, and transferring money using a debit card or bank account. Credit card transfers will attract a 3% transaction fee.
  • Cash App does not currently support international money transfers (domestic transfers only).
  • Transfers are sent immediately and can be deposited to a domestic bank account same-day for a fee, or within one to three days for free.
  • By default, you can send up to $250 within any 7-day period and receive up to $1,000 within any 30-day period. You can increase these limits, however.
  • Payments are instant and generally can't be canceled if you make an error.
  • Cash App is available for iPhone and Android.

Currently, Cash App doesn't support payments to international recipients. If you need to send international payments, considering using another payment service.

How Secure Is Cash App?

According to Cash App, any information you submit is encrypted and sent to their servers securely, both over Wi-Fi connections or data services.

Cash App is also PCI Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) Level 1 compliant. PCI-DSS is an industry-standard set up by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council to ensure that merchants adhere to a high level of security when processing credit cards electronically.

While Cash App transactions are encrypted, you may also want to consider using a VPN (virtual private network) app when using financial services like Cash App over public Wi-Fi.

If you want to learn more about Cash App security, read up on how it works on Square's security policies page.

How to Set up Cash App on Your Smartphone

If you're ready to give Cash App a try, here are the step-by-step instructions to set up the app on your smartphone and send your first payment. These instructions apply to both iPhone and Android.

  1. To begin, you'll need to download Cash App to your smartphone.

    Download For:

  2. If it's your first time using the app, you'll be prompted to enter a phone number or email login ID. Choose how you prefer to receive verification codes from Cash App. You will then be sent a code to verify your account.

  3. To verify the app, enter the code you were sent into Cash App.

  4. Once verified, you'll be asked to enter a bank using your debit card. You'll need to enter your debit card number here (a credit card will not work). You can also skip this step and add your debit card later.

  5. Enter your first and last name as it appears on your debit card.

  6. Choose a $Cashtag, which is your unique identifier in Cash App, and it can also be used to get paid by someone. A $Cashtag must include at least one letter and a maximum of 20 characters. For example, $JohnSmith123.

    How to Set up Cash App on Your Smartphone (2)

  7. You will be asked if you want to invite friends to get a Cash App bonus of $5. This step is strictly optional. You will have the option to add a contact later when making a payment.

How to Make a Payment Using Cash App

Once you've installed Cash App on your smartphone, it's a straightforward matter to send money to someone. You need to have a payment method set up (if you haven't set it up already), and you need to have the recipient's phone number, email address, or $Cashtag.

Add a Payment Method to Cash App

If you haven't set up a debit card or other type of funding source yet yet, you'll need to do this before sending a payment. If you've already set up a debit card, skip this and go to the next section.

  1. To set up a payment method, open Cash App and click the bank building symbol at the bottom of the screen.

    Note that this bank symbol will change to a $ symbol depending on whether you have funds available for withdrawal in your account.

  2. On the next screen, you have the option of setting up a Bank Account (debit card), Cash, or Bitcoin for making payments. Choose the funding source you wish to use and follow the on-screen instructions.

    How to Set up Cash App on Your Smartphone (3)

Send a Payment Using Cash App

Once you've set up your funding source, then you can begin sending payments. With a few quick taps, you'll be sending money to your friends and family.

  1. From the Cash App transfer money screen, type in the amount you want to send, then tap the Pay button at the bottom.

    To get to the Cash App transfer money screen, tap the $ symbol (in the middle) at the bottom of the screen.

  2. On the next screen, enter the recipient's name, $Cashtag, phone number, or email. To find all of your friends, tap Enable Contacts which will give Cash App access your smartphone's contact list and allow you to see which of your contacts have Cash App installed.

    Make sure the recipient is correct. If you send money to the wrong person, you may not be able to recover your money!

  3. If you have more than one type of payment method set up (for example, a debit card AND a credit card) you'll want to specify the funding source before you pay. The funding source dropdown is located at the top of the screen (circled in yellow below).

    The funding source dropdown is small and easy to miss. Be sure to select the correct funding source before hitting Pay. Once you tap Pay, your payment is automatically sent and you can't cancel it.

  4. To complete the transfer, tap Pay in the top right corner of the screen. If successful, you'll receive a confirmation that payment was sent.

    How to Set up Cash App on Your Smartphone (4)

  5. After you've sent the payment, the recipient will be notified of the payment.

The person you're sending money to must also have Cash App installed on their smartphone in order to accept a payment. If you're not sure, check with the recipient before sending money.

How to Cash Out Using Cash App

If you've received funds from Cash App, you can cash out through the app using your bank account. Here's how to do it.

  1. To cash out, open Cash App and tap the $ sign at the bottom left of the screen to access your available funds.

  2. Then, tap Cash Out. On the next screen, tap Cash Out again.

  3. Choose how you want to transfer funds to your bank. You can either do an Instant transfer for a fee, or a Standard transfer (one to three days).

    How to Set up Cash App on Your Smartphone (5)

  4. Select a U.S. bank to transfer your funds. If your bank is not on the list, you can search for it.

  5. Log in to your chosen bank to complete the transfer.

    How to Set up Cash App on Your Smartphone (6)

If you have two-step verification set up with your bank, it may interfere with the transfer. If you run into any issues with depositing your funds, contact your bank or reach out to Cash App's help.

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How to Set up Cash App on Your Smartphone (2024)

FAQs

How to Set up Cash App on Your Smartphone? ›

No, you don't need a bank account to create a Cash App account or add money to your Cash App balance. There are a number of ways to send and receive money through Cash App if you don't have or want to link your bank account.

Do you need a bank account for the Cash App? ›

No, you don't need a bank account to create a Cash App account or add money to your Cash App balance. There are a number of ways to send and receive money through Cash App if you don't have or want to link your bank account.

How do I tap to pay with Cash App on my phone? ›

Cash App Pay
  1. Tap the Payments '$' tab on your Cash App to get to the home screen.
  2. Tap the QR Scanner on the top left corner of the screen.
  3. Scan the QR Code at the Square Sellers point of sale.
  4. Follow the Steps.

Do you need a debit card for Cash App? ›

You don't need a debit card to send money with Cash App.

How to set up Cash App without bank account? ›

Yes, you can use Cash App without a bank account. You can create a Cash App account using your email address and phone number. You can then add money to your Cash App account using a debit card or credit card. You can also receive money from other Cash App users.

Does Cash App charge a fee? ›

Does Cash App charge a fee to send or receive money? It's always free to receive money to your personal Cash App account. It's also free to send money from your Cash App balance or your linked debit card. Cash App charges a 3% fee to send money from a linked credit card.

Is Cash App safe to link bank account? ›

Cash App is a secure platform and uses encryption and fraud-detection technology. This means that even if you're using the app on public Wi-Fi, all the information you submit is encrypted and safely shared with Cash App's servers. Plus, the app uses additional safety features, such as PIN entry, Face ID and Touch ID.

Is Cash App hard to set up? ›

Cash App is the easiest way to send, spend, save, and invest your money. Here's how it works: Download the app for iPhone or Android. Create a Cash App account.

How do I make a payment on Cash App? ›

To send a payment on our website:
  1. Log into your Cash App account at cash. app/account.
  2. Click on Pay & Request on the left hand side.
  3. Type in your payment details, including amount and recipient.
  4. Choose from your Cash Balance or linked bank in the final dropdown.
  5. Click Pay.

Why is Cash App charging me a fee to receive money? ›

Cash App will automatically deduct a 2.75% processing fee on each payment you receive to your Cash App for Business account. When you receive a payment from a customer on your Cash App for Business account, the amount you receive in your balance will not include the deducted fees.

How do I know if someone received my Cash App payment? ›

There are a few ways to know if someone received your Cash App payment. Check your Cash App Activity feed: Once you send a payment, it will show up in your Cash App Activity feed. If the payment has been received, the recipient's name or $cashtag will be listed along with the amount of money sent.

What is the Cash App fee for $100? ›

If you're sending $100 funded by a credit card, the fee is 3% for either account type. Cash out is free unless you select instant deposit which is 1.5% 0.5% - 1.75%, with a minimum fee of $0.25. This applies to personal and business accounts.

Do you have to pay a fee to receive $3,000 on Cash App? ›

Sending and receiving money is totally free and fast, and most payments are deposited directly to your bank account in minutes.

Does Cash App require a bank account? ›

Once you have downloaded the application, you must enter your information (phone number, email address, and your zip code). You don't need a bank account to use Cash App. Without a bank account, you can add money to your Cash App balance by going to an associated retailer and depositing paper money in the store.

Can I receive money on Cash App without a card? ›

Can you send or receive money on Cash App without a card? You don't need a card to send or receive money on Cash App. All you need is an email or phone number. However, without a card, you will be restricted on the amount you can send.

Is Cash App hooked to your bank account? ›

To use Cash App, you need to download the app, which is available for both iOS and Android. After setting up your account, you can connect it to your bank account to start using the platform. You can also link your Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover debit and credit cards.

Can I link someone else's bank account to my Cash App? ›

Can I Link Someone Else Bank Account To Cash App? Yes, you are able to link someone else's bank account to Cash App if you are allowed and authorized by the owner to do so. Meaning you are actually doing that on their behalf.

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