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How to Move Money From Apple Cash to Your Bank Account

You can transfer Apple Cash to a linked bank account through the Wallet app in three to five business days

Apple Cash holds money in a digital wallet on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch. To move that money into a checking or savings account at your bank, you use the Wallet app to initiate a transfer. The money does not move when ready — most transfers take three to five business days, though some banks process them faster. You can transfer any amount up to your current Apple Cash balance, and there is no fee from Apple for doing this.

The process requires that you have already linked a bank account to your Apple Cash. If you have not done that yet, you will need your bank's routing number and your account number before you start. Once the account is linked, transferring money takes about two minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Wallet app, tap your Apple Cash card, and select the menu icon to find the transfer option.
  • You must have a bank account linked to Apple Cash before you can transfer money out.
  • Transfers typically take three to five business days to appear in your bank account, depending on your bank's processing speed.
  • Apple does not charge a fee for transfers to your bank, but your bank may have its own policies about incoming transfers.
  • You can transfer any amount from zero dollars up to your full Apple Cash balance.

Step-by-step transfer process

Start by opening the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap your Apple Cash card — it appears as a green card with the Apple logo. At the bottom of the card, you will see three dots or lines (the menu icon). Tap that icon.

A menu will appear with several options. Look for "Transfer to Bank" or "Send Money to Bank" — the exact wording depends on your iOS version. Tap that option. The app will show you a screen where you enter the amount you want to transfer. Type the dollar amount or use the plus and minus buttons to adjust it. Then tap "Next" or "Continue."

The app will confirm which bank account the money is going to. If you have only one bank account linked, it will show that account. If you have linked multiple accounts, you can choose which one receives the transfer. Review the amount and the destination account, then tap "Send" or "Confirm." The transfer is now in motion.

Linking a bank account if you have not already

If you open the Wallet app and do not see a bank account linked to your Apple Cash, you need to add one before you can transfer money out. Open Wallet, tap Apple Cash, tap the menu icon, and select "Add Bank Account" or "Link Bank Account."

You will need your bank's routing number and your account number. Your bank statement shows both of these, or you can call your bank's customer service line and ask. Enter the routing number and account number into the app. Apple will verify the account by depositing two small amounts (usually less than one dollar each) into your account within one to two business days. Once those deposits arrive, you return to the Wallet app, enter the amounts of those deposits, and the account is verified.

After verification is complete, you can transfer money to that account. The entire verification process usually takes two to three business days.

How long transfers actually take

Apple says transfers take three to five business days. In practice, the speed depends on your specific bank. Some banks, particularly large national banks, process transfers within one business day. Smaller regional banks or credit unions sometimes take the full five days. Weekends and bank holidays do not count as business days, so a transfer you send on Friday afternoon might not arrive until Wednesday or Thursday.

You can check the status of a transfer by opening Wallet, tapping Apple Cash, tapping the menu icon, and selecting "Transaction History" or "Recent Transactions." Your transfer will show a status like "Pending" or "Processing" until it completes. Once the money arrives in your bank account, the status will change to "Complete."

What happens if the transfer fails or gets stuck

A transfer can fail if the bank account information is incorrect, if your bank rejects the transfer for security reasons, or if there is a technical problem on Apple's end. If a transfer fails, Apple Cash will return the money to your Apple Cash balance automatically. You will see a notification in the Wallet app explaining why the transfer did not go through.

The most common reason for failure is a mismatch between the account number or routing number you entered and what your bank has on file. If this happens, verify both numbers with your bank and try again. If your bank rejected the transfer for security reasons, call your bank's fraud department and let them know you authorized the transfer. Then attempt the transfer again.

If a transfer has been "Pending" for more than seven business days, contact Apple Support through the Wallet app or visit support.apple.com. Provide them with the transaction date and amount, and they can investigate whether the transfer is stuck on Apple's side or your bank's side.

Limits on how much you can transfer

Apple Cash itself has daily spending limits — you cannot spend more than a certain amount per day using the card for purchases or payments. However, transfers to your bank account are separate from these spending limits. You can transfer your entire Apple Cash balance to your bank in a single transfer, even if that amount exceeds your daily spending limit.

Your bank may have its own limits on incoming transfers. Some banks cap the amount you can receive in a single transfer or the total you can receive in a day. These limits vary widely. If you are transferring a large amount and are unsure whether your bank will accept it, call your bank before you initiate the transfer.

Fees and costs

Apple does not charge you a fee to transfer money from Apple Cash to your bank account. The transfer is free on Apple's end. However, your bank may have policies about incoming transfers. Most banks do not charge for incoming transfers from other financial institutions, but some do. Check your bank's fee schedule or call customer service to confirm whether they charge for incoming transfers.

If you are transferring money to a bank account that is not in your name, your bank may flag the transfer as suspicious and hold it for review. This is a security measure and is not a fee, but it can delay the transfer by several additional business days. To avoid this, make sure the bank account you link to Apple Cash is registered in your own name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer Apple Cash to someone else's bank account?

No. You can only transfer Apple Cash to a bank account that is linked to your Apple Cash and registered in your own name. If you want to send money to someone else, use the person-to-person transfer feature in Wallet or Messages instead, which sends the money directly to their Apple Cash or their bank account if they choose to cash out.

What if I do not see the transfer option in my Wallet app?

The transfer feature requires iOS 11.2 or later and is available only in certain countries, including the United States. If you are in the US and have a recent iOS version, make sure you have a bank account linked to Apple Cash. If you still do not see the option, restart your iPhone and try again. If the option remains missing, contact Apple Support.

Can I cancel a transfer after I have sent it?

Once you tap "Send" or "Confirm," the transfer cannot be canceled through the Wallet app. If the transfer has not yet arrived at your bank (it still shows "Pending"), contact Apple Support when ready and provide the transaction details. They may be able to stop the transfer before it reaches your bank. If the money has already arrived in your bank account, you will need to contact your bank to reverse it.

Do I need to do anything special if I am transferring to a joint bank account?

You can link a joint account to Apple Cash as long as your name appears on the account. When you transfer money to that account, it goes to the joint account just like any other incoming transfer. Your bank may require both account holders to authorize the incoming transfer, depending on the bank's policies. Check with your bank before you link a joint account.

Why is my transfer taking longer than five business days?

If a transfer has been pending for more than five business days, it may be stuck due to a technical issue or a problem on your bank's end. Check your bank's website or call customer service to see if they have received the transfer and are holding it for review. If your bank has not received it, contact Apple Support with the transaction date and amount so they can investigate on Apple's side.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.