How to Send Money to Another Person Using Apple Pay

Apple Pay transfers work between iPhones, not through a separate app

Apple Pay lets you send money directly to another person using their phone number or email address, but only if both of you have iPhones with Apple Pay set up. The money lands in the recipient's Apple Cash account (or their linked bank account if they choose to receive it that way). You do not need their bank details — just their contact information.

The process takes a few minutes and the money usually arrives within minutes, though it can take up to three business days if the recipient's bank is slow to process it. You can send up to $20,000 per transaction, though your bank or card issuer may set a lower daily limit.

Key Takeaways

• Both people must have an iPhone with Apple Pay set up, including a valid payment method (debit card, credit card, or bank account).
• You send money through the Wallet app or Messages by entering the recipient's phone number or email address.
• Money lands in the recipient's Apple Cash account within minutes, or in their bank account if they request a transfer.
• You can cancel a payment before the recipient accepts it, but once accepted, the transfer is final.
• Transaction limits vary by bank and card issuer, but Apple's system allows up to $20,000 per transfer.

Set up Apple Pay before you send your first transfer

To send money through Apple Pay, you need a debit card, credit card, or linked bank account in the Wallet app. Open Wallet on your iPhone, tap the plus sign, and follow the prompts to add a card. You will need to verify the card with your bank — this usually happens automatically, but some banks send a code to your phone or email that you enter to confirm.

The recipient also needs Apple Pay set up. If they do not have it yet, they can add a card to Wallet the same way. Without a payment method linked to their Apple Cash account, they cannot receive transfers.

Check that both iPhones are running the current version of iOS. Older versions sometimes have trouble with Apple Pay transfers. Go to Settings, then General, then Software Update to check.

Send money through the Wallet app

Open Wallet and look for the Apple Cash card (it shows your current balance). Tap it, then tap the money icon with an arrow pointing up. Tap "Send Money." Enter the amount, then tap Next.

On the next screen, you will see a list of your recent contacts. Tap the person you want to send money to, or type their phone number or email address if they are not in your list. Double-check the name and amount, then tap Send.

If the recipient has two-factor authentication turned on (which Apple recommends), they will see a notification on their phone asking them to accept or decline the payment. Once they accept, the money moves to their Apple Cash account. If they do not accept within 15 minutes, you can cancel the transfer and the money returns to your card.

Send money through Messages

Open Messages and find the conversation with the person you want to send money to. Tap the Apple Pay button (it looks like a circle with a line through it, next to the text field). Enter the amount and tap Send.

The recipient will see the payment request in the conversation thread. They tap it to accept or decline. This method works the same way as sending through Wallet — the money goes to their Apple Cash account and they can transfer it to their bank if they want.

Messages transfers are useful if you are already texting someone and want to send money without opening a separate app. The payment appears in the conversation history so both of you have a record of it.

What happens after the recipient accepts the payment

Once the recipient accepts, the money sits in their Apple Cash account. They can spend it with Apple Pay at stores and online, send it to someone else, or transfer it to their bank account. To transfer to their bank, they open Wallet, tap their Apple Cash card, tap the menu button (three dots), select "Transfer to Bank," and follow the prompts. The transfer usually takes one to three business days.

If the recipient wants to keep the money in Apple Cash and use it like a digital wallet, they do not need to do anything. Apple Cash works anywhere Apple Pay is accepted.

You can see the status of your transfer in Wallet. Open the Apple Cash card, scroll down to "Transactions," and tap the transfer. It will show whether it is pending, accepted, or completed.

Cancel a transfer before it is accepted

If you send money by mistake or change your mind, you can cancel it as long as the recipient has not accepted it yet. Open Wallet, tap your Apple Cash card, scroll to the transaction, and tap it. If the status says "Pending," you will see a "Cancel Payment" button. Tap it and confirm.

Once the recipient accepts the payment, you cannot cancel it. The money is theirs. If there is a problem — you sent the wrong amount, sent it to the wrong person, or the recipient will not return it — you will need to contact your bank or card issuer, though they may not be able to reverse an accepted transfer.

Limits and fees

Apple does not charge a fee to send money through Apple Pay. However, your bank or card issuer may have daily or monthly limits on how much you can transfer. These limits vary widely — some banks allow $500 per day, others allow several thousand. Check your bank's app or website to find your limit, or call the number on the back of your card.

The recipient's bank may also have limits on how much they can receive in a single day. If you try to send more than their limit allows, the transfer will fail and the money will return to your card.

If you reach your limit, you can usually send more money the next day. Some banks reset limits daily at midnight, while others reset weekly or monthly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the person I want to send money to does not have an iPhone?

Apple Pay transfers only work between iPhones. If the recipient has an Android phone, you will need to use a different method like Venmo, PayPal, or a bank transfer. Some banks also offer their own person-to-person transfer services through their mobile app.

Can I send money to someone in another country?

Apple Pay transfers are only available within the United States. If you need to send money internationally, you will need to use a wire transfer through your bank, an international money transfer service, or a service like Wise or OFX.

What if the transfer fails or gets stuck?

If a transfer fails, the money returns to your card within one to three business days. Check the transaction status in Wallet to see what went wrong. Common reasons include the recipient's account being full, a network error, or a problem with one of the payment methods. Try again after a few minutes, or contact your bank if the problem continues.

Is Apple Pay transfer safe?

Apple Pay uses encryption and requires authentication (usually Face ID or Touch ID) before you can send money. The recipient also has to accept the payment, which adds another layer of protection. However, once a payment is accepted, it cannot be reversed, so make sure you trust the person and have the right amount before you send.

Can I set up recurring payments with Apple Pay?

Apple Pay does not have a built-in recurring payment feature for person-to-person transfers. You have to send money manually each time. If you need to send the same amount regularly, you might consider setting a reminder on your phone or using a service like Venmo that has recurring payment options.