How to use Apple Pay to send money

With Apple Pay on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch, you can pay for things in stores, online, and within supported apps using saved credit or debit cards or an Apple Cash account balance.

But Apple Cash can also serve as a mobile payment app like PayPal, Zelle, or Venmo. That means you can send money to people you know, and the funds are taken out of your Apple Cash balance. On the flip side, you can request money from other people, and the funds are added to your balance. That balance can then be spent on future transactions or transferred to a bank account, in full or in part.

Previously, you had to use the Messages app on your Apple device to send or request money. But with iOS/iPadOS 15.5 or higher, you can do it directly in the Apple Wallet app, and the transaction then occurs within the Messages app. Here’s how to set up and use the service.

How to Set Up Apple Cash

In order to use Apple Cash to its fullest extent, you must live in the US, have an Apple device compatible with Apple Cash, and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for your Apple account.

Your iPhone or iPad should be running the latest OS version to send or request money in the Wallet app. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and make sure you are running iOS 15.5 or higher. If not, allow the latest update to install on your device.

Make a Purchase From a Retailer

You can add multiple cards to the Apple Pay app, but you need to set one up as the default, which means that card will automatically be used for every transaction. To do this, go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay and tap Default Card under the Transaction Defaults section. Then select the card you wish to use as the default.

Unless you have a lot of money in your Apple Cash balance, you don’t want to use that as the default because you might not have enough funds to pay for a large transaction. Instead, set up another card as the default. You can then override that card and use your Apple Cash card to pay for something when you choose.

To purchase an item from a retailer using your Apple Cash card, tap a card other than your default to display all the cards stacked on top of each other. Tap the Apple Cash card to select it for this transaction. Now double-press the side button, and the amount of the purchase is taken from your Apple Cash balance.

Send Money to Another Person

To send money directly to another individual, open the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap your Cash card, then choose the Send button. Type the name, email address, or phone number of the contact to whom you want to send money. Tap Next, then type the amount of money you want to send the person. Tap Send with Messages.

iMessage opens with the amount shown as a small card. Type a message and then tap the arrow to send the text. Double-press the side button to activate the withdrawal and then authenticate the transaction with Face ID, Touch ID, or PIN.

The money is taken from your Apple Cash balance or from a debit card linked to your Apple Cash card if you don’t have sufficient funds in your Apple Cash balance to cover the amount of the payment.

On the receiving side, the person to whom you sent the money receives the text message informing them of the amount sent. That person can also open the Wallet app and tap the Cash card image. The money you sent appears under Latest Transactions.

You can even use Siri to send someone money via Apple Cash by saying something along the lines of "Hey Siri, Apple Pay 25 dollars to Stephen for dinner" or "Hey Siri, send 25 dollars to Stephen."

Request Money From Another Person

You can also request money from another individual. To do this, open the Wallet app, select your Apple Cash card, and then tap the Request button. Type the name, email address, or phone number of person from whom you’re requesting the money. Then tap Next and enter the amount of money you’re requesting from this person.

Tap the Request with Messages button to open the request in the Messages app. A small card will appear showing the amount being requested. Type a message if you wish, then tap the arrow to send the text.

The other person will then receive the request on their end. They must tap the Pay button to approve the transfer of money. The amount owed is listed at the bottom of the screen, allowing the person to alter the final amount. Tapping the Pay button again will set the amount of money to be transferred.

A text message can then be written alongside the transfer. The sender must tap the arrow button to send the message and double-press the side arrow to activate and authenticate the transfer.

On your end, open the text message notifying you of the sent money. You can then open the Wallet app, select your Apple Cash card, and then look at the latest transactions to confirm the transfer.

Send or Request Money Through iMessage

Instead of using the Apple Wallet app, you can also send money directly through iMessage. Open Messages and open a conversation with the person who should receive the cash. Type a message, then tap the app icon on the left and select the Apple Cash icon.

Use the plus (+) and minus (-) buttons to set the amount you wish to send, or tap the Show Keyboard button to enter a specific amount. At the keypad, tap the Pay button to initiate the payment or swipe down to close the keypad screen, return to your message, and then tap Pay.

Tap the Send button in the message to send the payment. Double-press the side button and then use Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode to authenticate the payment.

To request money from someone else through the Messages app, open a conversation with that person and tap the app icon. Select the Apple Cash icon, then choose an amount and tap the Request button. Add a message to the text and send it.

On the other end, your recipient will receive the request as a text. All they need to do is tap the Pay button to send you the money.

Manually Accept Payments

By default, payments via Apple Cash are automatically accepted. However, you can change this to manual, which means you must actively accept the payment within seven days. To set this up, go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay > Apple Cash, then select Manually Accept Payments under the Accepting Payments header.

Send Money From Apple Watch

To send money via Apple Cash on an Apple Watch, set up a debit card for Apple Pay on your watch if you haven't already done so. Open Messages and open a conversation with the recipient. Swipe down and tap Apple Pay.

You can choose an amount by tapping the plus (+) and minus (-) buttons, turning the Digital Crown, or tapping the dollar amount and then turning the Digital Crown to select a specific number. Tap the Pay button, then double-tap the side button to pay.

How to Refill Your Apple Cash Balance

You can add money to your Apple Cash balance from a debit card that you’ve stored in Apple Pay. Go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay, then tap Apple Cash under the Cards header. Tap Add Money, enter the amount you wish to deposit (the minimum amount is $10), then tap Add. Authenticate the transfer with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode, and you'll see the amount listed as your Apple Cash balance.

Transfer Money to Your Bank Account

To transfer money from Apple Cash to your bank account, you must first connect your bank account. Open Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay > Apple Cash and tap Bank Account > Add Bank Account, then enter your bank's routing number and account number.

Now, from the Apple Cash screen, tap Transfer to Bank, then enter the amount of money you want to transfer and tap Transfer. Confirm the transaction via Face ID, Touch ID, or your PIN. The money typically takes one to three business days to end up in your account, unless you choose to do an instant transfer, which costs a small fee.