How to Send Money to Friends and Family With Apple Pay

What Apple Pay can and cannot do for money transfers

Apple Pay lets you send money to other people through your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch using the Wallet app. The money goes from your linked bank account or debit card to theirs, and the transfer usually lands within one to three business days. You can only send money to people in the United States who also have an Apple device and a U.S. bank account.

Apple Pay does not work for paying bills, sending money internationally, or transferring to business accounts. If you need to move money between your own accounts at different banks, or send funds to someone without an Apple device, you will need a different method like your bank's app, a wire transfer, or a service like Venmo or PayPal.

Key Takeaways

• You send money through the Wallet app by tapping the Apple Cash card, selecting a contact, and entering an amount — the recipient gets a notification and can accept or decline.
• Both you and the recipient must have an Apple device, a U.S. bank account, and be at least 18 years old (or have parental consent if younger).
• Transfers land within one to three business days and are free between personal accounts, though your bank may charge a fee if you use a credit card as your funding source.
• You can set up a daily spending limit for money you send, and Apple stores transaction history in the Wallet app for your records.

Setting up Apple Cash before you can send money

Before you send your first transfer, you need to set up Apple Cash in the Wallet app. Open Wallet, tap the plus sign in the upper right corner, and select "Apple Cash". Follow the prompts to enter your name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. Apple will verify this information with your bank.

Next, add a funding source — either a debit card or a bank account. Tap "Add Card", then choose whether you are adding a debit card or linking your bank account directly. If you add a debit card, enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV. If you link your bank account, you will need your routing number and account number, which you can find on a check or in your bank's app. Apple will send two small deposits to your account to verify it is yours; once those deposits appear (usually within one to two business days), you return to the Wallet app and confirm the amounts to complete the link.

Your bank may place a temporary hold on your account during verification. This is normal and the hold will be released once verification is complete.

The step-by-step process for sending money

Once Apple Cash is set up, sending money takes about one minute. Open the Wallet app and tap the Apple Cash card. Look for the button that says "Send Money" or a money-transfer icon (it varies slightly by iOS version). Tap it.

The app will show your recent contacts. You can tap a person's name directly, or search for them by typing their name or phone number. Once you select a recipient, enter the dollar amount you want to send. Review the amount and the recipient's name to make sure both are correct, then tap "Send" or "Pay". The recipient will get a notification on their Apple device that you sent them money.

The recipient can accept the transfer when ready or decline it. If they accept, the money moves from your linked account to theirs within one to three business days. If they decline, the money stays in your account and you can try sending again or use a different method.

Costs and funding sources

Sending money from your bank account or debit card through Apple Cash is free — Apple does not charge a fee. However, your bank or card issuer may charge a fee depending on your account type or the card you use. Most banks do not charge for debit card transfers, but some charge a small fee for bank account transfers or if you use a credit card as your funding source.

Before you set up Apple Cash, check with your bank about any fees they may explore. You can also check your bank's app or call customer service to ask whether transfers through Apple Pay will cost you anything.

Daily limits and security settings

Apple sets a daily limit on how much money you can send through Apple Cash. The limit is $10,000 per day for most accounts, though your bank may set a lower limit. You can view your current limit in the Wallet app by tapping Apple Cash, then tapping the information icon.

You can also set a custom daily limit if you want to spend less. To do this, open Settings, tap Wallet & Apple Pay, select Apple Cash, and look for "Daily Spending Limit" or "Transaction Limit". Enter the amount you want to allow per day. This limit applies to both money you send and money you spend using Apple Cash at stores or online.

Every transfer requires Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple device passcode to confirm. This means someone who picks up your phone cannot send money without unlocking it first. If your device is lost or stolen, you can disable Apple Cash through iCloud.com by signing in, selecting "Find My iPhone", and removing the device from your account.

What to do if a transfer fails or the recipient does not accept

If you send money and the recipient declines it, the funds return to your account within one to three business days. You will see a notification in the Wallet app that the transfer was declined, and you can try sending again or contact the recipient to ask why they declined.

If a transfer fails because of a technical error or a problem with your bank account, you will see an error message in the app. Common reasons include an incorrect or expired funding source, insufficient funds, or a temporary issue with your bank's system. Try again in a few minutes, or update your funding source in the Wallet app settings if the card or account information has changed.

If money leaves your account but the recipient never receives it, contact Apple Support through the Wallet app or visit support.apple.com. Have your transaction details ready, including the date, time, amount, and recipient's name. Apple can investigate the transfer and work with your bank to locate the funds.

Alternatives if the recipient does not have an Apple device

If the person you want to send money to does not have an iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch, Apple Pay transfers will not work. In that case, you have several other options. Your bank's app likely has a peer-to-peer transfer feature that works with any bank account. Venmo, PayPal, and Square Cash are popular apps that let you send money to anyone with a smartphone, regardless of what kind of phone they have.

Wire transfers through your bank are another option if you need to send a larger amount or to someone outside the United States. These typically cost $15 to $30 per transfer and take one to two business days. For international transfers, services like Wise (formerly TransferWise) often offer better exchange rates than banks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send money to someone who does not have Apple Cash set up yet?

No. The recipient must have Apple Cash set up in their Wallet app before you can send them money. If they do not have it yet, you can send them instructions on how to set it up, or use a different transfer method like Venmo or your bank's app.

How long does it take for money to arrive after I send it?

Most transfers land within one to three business days. Transfers sent on weekends or holidays may take longer because banks do not process transfers on those days. You can check the status of a transfer in your Wallet app transaction history.

What happens if I send money to the wrong person by mistake?

If the recipient has not accepted the transfer yet, you can cancel it through the Wallet app. Tap the transaction, then tap "Cancel Payment". If they have already accepted it, the money has moved to their account and you will need to contact them directly to ask them to send it back.

Do I need a credit card to use Apple Pay transfers?

No. You can fund Apple Cash transfers with a debit card or by linking your bank account directly. Credit cards are not recommended because many banks charge a fee when you use a credit card for peer-to-peer transfers.

Is Apple Pay transfer safe?

Yes. Every transfer requires Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode to confirm, and Apple does not store your full bank account or card number in the Wallet app. Your bank and Apple both use encryption to protect the transfer. If your device is lost, you can disable Apple Cash remotely through iCloud.