You can put money on a Cash App card by transferring funds from a linked bank account, depositing physical cash at participating retail stores, or setting up direct deposit from your employer. Each method loads money into your Cash App balance, which you can then spend using your Cash Card anywhere Visa is accepted.
Transfer From a Linked Bank Account
The most common way to add money is transferring it from a bank account or debit card you’ve linked inside the app. Cash App lets you link up to two debit cards and one bank account at a time, but you need to link a debit card first before you can add a bank account.
To link your bank or debit card, tap the profile icon in the top-right corner of the app, select “Linked banks,” and follow the prompts. Once linked, you can add money to your Cash App balance by tapping the Money tab on the home screen and choosing “Add Cash.” Enter the amount you want, confirm with your PIN or biometric login, and the funds transfer from your linked account into your Cash App balance. From there, you can spend using your Cash Card.
Deposit Cash at a Retail Store
If you want to load physical cash onto your Cash App card, the Paper Money Deposit feature lets you do exactly that at thousands of retail locations across the country. This is especially useful if you earn cash and want to spend it digitally without a traditional bank account.
To get started, open Cash App, tap the Money tab, and select “Paper Money Deposit.” The app generates a barcode you can show at checkout. The cashier scans the barcode, you hand over cash, and the funds appear in your Cash App balance.
Supported retailers include major chains like Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, 7-Eleven, Kroger, and many Kroger-affiliated grocery stores. Additional locations include Circle K, Sheetz, H-E-B, Pilot Travel Centers, and Walmart. At Walmart specifically, you’ll need to visit the customer service desk or MoneyCenter rather than a regular checkout lane, and those service counters may keep different hours than the rest of the store.
Some stores support both card swipe and barcode deposits, while others only accept the barcode method. The app will show you nearby participating locations and which method each store uses.
Set Up Direct Deposit
You can have your paycheck or government benefits deposited straight into your Cash App balance, which makes the funds available to spend on your Cash Card without any manual transfers. Cash App supports up to $25,000 per individual direct deposit and up to $50,000 within a 24-hour period.
Before you can enable direct deposit, you need to order a Cash Card. If you don’t receive your direct deposit account details right away, you may need to wait until the physical card arrives and you activate it.
Once your card is active, you have two ways to set it up:
- Use your account and routing numbers directly. Tap the Money tab, then tap the routing and account number displayed below your balance. Copy those numbers and provide them to your employer’s payroll system wherever it asks for bank account details. Cash App treats your account as a checking account, and the banking institution behind it is Sutton Bank.
- Generate a pre-filled direct deposit form. Tap the Money tab, select “Direct Deposit,” then choose “Create a pre-filled form.” Enter your employer’s information, the amount you want deposited from each paycheck (you can split between Cash App and another account), and sign the form. You can also do this from a computer at cash.app/account, where you can download the completed form or email it directly to your employer.
Receiving Payments From Other People
Any time someone sends you money through Cash App, it lands in your balance and becomes spendable on your Cash Card immediately. If a friend owes you money or you do freelance work for someone who pays through Cash App, that’s another straightforward way to build up your card’s spending power. Just share your $cashtag or phone number, and the sender can transfer funds to you within seconds.
Which Method Is Fastest
Direct person-to-person payments hit your balance instantly. Paper Money Deposits at retail stores also show up quickly, typically within minutes. Bank transfers can be instant if you use a linked debit card, but transfers from a bank account sometimes take one to three business days depending on your bank. Direct deposit timing depends on your employer’s payroll schedule, though some employers release funds a day or two early when depositing to Cash App.
If you need money on your Cash Card right now, the fastest options are having someone send you a payment or depositing cash at a nearby store. For recurring needs, direct deposit is the most hands-off approach since the money shows up automatically every pay period.