Apple Cash transfers go person-to-person through the Wallet app on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch

To send Apple Cash, open Wallet, tap the Apple Cash card, then tap the send button (usually a arrow or plus icon depending on your device). Enter the recipient's name or phone number, the amount, and confirm. The money moves to their Apple Cash balance immediately if you're both in the US, though the recipient needs an Apple Cash account set up first. If they don't have one, they'll get a notification to create it before the funds arrive.

The person receiving the money doesn't need to do anything except have Wallet installed and an Apple Cash account active. They can then spend that balance at any place that takes Apple Pay, send it to someone else, or transfer it to their bank account.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Wallet, select your Apple Cash card, and use the send button to transfer money to another person's phone number or contact.
  • Both you and the recipient must have Apple Cash accounts active in the US; transfers happen instantly.
  • You can only send money to people, not to businesses or merchants.
  • The recipient can spend the balance immediately at any retailer that accepts Apple Pay, or transfer it to their bank account later.

Setting up Apple Cash before you can send or receive

You need an Apple Cash account to send or receive money. To set one up, open Wallet on your iPhone or iPad, tap the plus button, and select Apple Cash. You'll enter your name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. Apple will verify this information, and your account usually activates within minutes.

Once your account is active, you can add a debit card to fund your Apple Cash balance. Tap your Apple Cash card in Wallet, then tap the three dots and select "Add Money." Choose an amount between $10 and $20,000 per transfer, select your debit card, and confirm. The money appears in your Apple Cash balance right away.

How to send Apple Cash step by step

Open the Wallet app and tap your Apple Cash card. Look for the send button — on iPhone it's usually an arrow pointing up and to the right, or a plus sign in a circle. Tap it and you'll see a screen to enter who you're sending to.

Type the recipient's name if they're in your contacts, or enter their phone number. If you're sending to someone not in your contacts, you can still use their phone number. Enter the dollar amount you want to send, review the details, and tap send or confirm. The transfer completes instantly, and both you and the recipient get a notification.

If the recipient doesn't have Apple Cash set up yet, they'll receive a notification that someone tried to send them money. They can tap that notification to create an Apple Cash account and claim the funds. Until they do, the money stays pending on your end.

What happens if the recipient doesn't have Apple Cash

If you send money to someone without an active Apple Cash account, the transfer doesn't go through immediately. Instead, they'll get a notification on their iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch saying they received a payment. The notification includes a link to set up Apple Cash.

Once they create their account and verify their identity, the pending money moves to their Apple Cash balance automatically. If they don't set up an account within 30 days, the money returns to your Apple Cash balance. You'll see the refund as a transaction in your Wallet history.

Transferring Apple Cash to your bank account

You can move money out of Apple Cash and into a checking or savings account. Open Wallet, tap your Apple Cash card, tap the three dots, and select "Transfer to Bank." Choose the amount and the bank account you want it to go to — you'll need to have linked a bank account first.

Transfers to your bank account take one to three business days. There's no fee for standard transfers. If you want the money faster, some banks offer next-business-day transfers, but Apple doesn't charge extra for that option — your bank might.

Limits on how much you can send

Apple Cash has weekly sending limits that depend on your account age and verification status. When you first set up Apple Cash, you can send up to $500 per week. After you've had the account for a while and completed additional verification, this limit increases to $20,000 per week.

If you hit your weekly limit, you'll see a message telling you how much you can send and when the limit resets. Weekly limits reset on Mondays. You can still receive money from others even if you've hit your sending limit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send Apple Cash to someone who has an Android phone?

No. Apple Cash only works between Apple devices. If you need to send money to someone with an Android phone, you'll need to use a different service like Venmo, PayPal, or your bank's peer-to-peer payment system.

What if I sent money to the wrong person?

If the recipient hasn't accepted the payment yet, you can cancel it through your Wallet transaction history. Tap the transaction, then tap "Cancel Payment." If they've already accepted it, you'll need to ask them to send the money back — Apple doesn't reverse completed transfers.

Is there a fee to send Apple Cash?

No. Sending money to another person through Apple Cash is free. Transferring money to your bank account is also free for standard transfers, though some banks charge their own fees for expedited options.

Can I send Apple Cash to a business or store?

No. Apple Cash person-to-person transfers only work between individuals. To pay a business, use Apple Pay at the register or online instead.