Cash App lets you pay in three main ways: sending money directly to another person, scanning a QR code at a store, or swiping your Cash Card like a regular debit card. Each method takes just a few taps, but the steps differ depending on whether you’re paying a friend, a cashier, or an online checkout. Here’s how each one works.
Sending Money to Another Person
This is the most common way people use Cash App. You can send money to anyone who has a Cash App account using their $cashtag (a unique username), phone number, or email address. Here’s the process:
- Open Cash App and go to the Payments tab (the “$” icon)
- Enter the dollar amount (minimum $1)
- Tap “Pay”
- Type in the recipient’s name, $cashtag, phone number, or email
- Add a note describing what the payment is for
- Choose your payment method (your Cash App balance, linked bank account, or linked debit card)
- Tap “Pay” to confirm
The money typically arrives in the recipient’s Cash App balance instantly. If you’re paying from your Cash App balance, there’s no fee. Payments funded by a linked debit card or bank account are also free for standard personal transfers. Credit cards, if linked, carry a 3% fee, so most people avoid using them as a funding source.
Before you send, double-check the recipient’s details. Cash App payments are instant and can’t be automatically reversed. If you send money to the wrong person, you’ll need to request it back and hope they approve.
Paying In-Store with Cash App Pay
Some retailers display a QR code at checkout that lets you pay directly from your Cash App balance. This is called Cash App Pay, and it works without a physical card. To use it:
- Open Cash App and go to the Payments tab
- Tap the icon in the top-left corner to open the QR scanner
- Hold your phone’s camera over the merchant’s QR code
- Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm your payment
You can also scan the QR code using your phone’s built-in camera or a third-party scanning app. If scanning isn’t working, check that the “Scan QR Codes” feature is enabled in your device’s settings. Not every store supports Cash App Pay, so look for a QR code or Cash App logo at the register before you get in line.
Using the Cash Card at Stores and Online
The Cash Card is a free Visa debit card linked to your Cash App balance. Once you order one through the app, you can use it anywhere Visa is accepted, both in physical stores and for online purchases. You swipe, tap, or insert it just like any other debit card.
You don’t have to wait for the physical card to arrive to start using it. Cash App gives you a virtual card number as soon as you’re approved. You’ll find it in the app under the Cash Card tab, complete with the card number, expiration date, and CVV. Use those details to make online purchases immediately or add the card to a digital wallet.
Adding Your Cash Card to a Digital Wallet
If you want to tap your phone at checkout instead of carrying the physical card, you can add your Cash Card to Apple Pay or Google Wallet. For Google Wallet, the process looks like this:
- Open the Google Wallet app
- Tap “Add to Wallet,” then select “Payment card”
- Choose “New credit or debit card”
- Use your camera to scan the card or enter the details manually
- Tap “Save and continue” and accept the issuer terms
- Verify your card if prompted
The process for Apple Pay is similar. Open the Wallet app on your iPhone, tap the plus icon, and follow the prompts to add a debit card. Once linked, you can hold your phone near any contactless terminal to pay with your Cash App balance.
Choosing Your Payment Source
Every time you make a payment, Cash App lets you choose where the money comes from. Your options include your Cash App balance, a linked bank account, or a linked debit card. You can link a bank account by entering your routing and account numbers or by signing in through your bank’s login within the app.
If your Cash App balance doesn’t cover the full amount, the app will pull the remaining funds from your linked bank account or card. You can set a default payment method in your settings so you don’t have to choose every time. Most people keep a balance loaded in the app for quick payments and use a linked bank account as backup.
Transaction Limits
How much you can send depends on whether your account is verified. Unverified accounts can send and receive up to $1,000 within any rolling 30-day period. That ceiling applies to all transactions combined, not per transaction, so a few payments can eat through it quickly.
Verified accounts get a much higher ceiling: up to $40,000 in sends over a rolling 30-day period. To verify your account, you’ll need to provide your full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). The verification process happens inside the app and usually takes just a few minutes.
If you plan to use Cash App for rent, larger purchases, or regular business payments, verifying early saves you from hitting the $1,000 wall at an inconvenient time. There’s no cost to verify, and it also unlocks features like Bitcoin purchases and direct deposit.
Keeping Your Payments Secure
Cash App includes a few built-in security features worth enabling. Turn on the Security Lock in your app settings so every payment requires your PIN, Touch ID, or Face ID before it goes through. This prevents unauthorized transactions if someone gets hold of your unlocked phone.
You can also enable notifications for every transaction so you’re alerted the moment money moves in or out. If your Cash Card is lost or stolen, you can instantly disable it from the app by toggling off the card on the Cash Card tab. You can re-enable it just as easily if you find it again, or request a replacement card for free.