You want to pay using Cash App, but it’s empty at the moment, plus most of your money’s in Apple Cash.
Perhaps you even tried sending money straight to your Cash App account using Apple Pay. If so, chances are you weren’t successful since there’s no direct transfer option between these two payment platforms.
Don’t worry if Cash App declined your Apple Pay transfer before. Although you can’t transfer funds directly from Apple Wallet to Cash App—and vice versa—you can use an eligible debit card to serve as an intermediary.
However, note that not every linked card offers seamless transfers. Both Apple Pay Cash and Cash App have stringent transfer limits, so you might have trouble sending funds through specific bank accounts.
If you don’t want to waste your time on failed transfers, keep reading.
We reviewed dozens of tips and tricks on transferring funds between Apple Pay and Cash App to give you a comprehensive, easy-to-follow guide. That way, you can fund your Cash App account quickly without wasting money on transfer fees.
Stick with us until the end! Otherwise, you’ll waste your time and money on failed transactions, rejected funds, and, of course, transaction fees.
Let’s dive into seamlessly transferring funds between Apple Pay and Cash App!
Cash App vs. Apple Pay
Before getting into the step-by-step process of how to send money through Apple Pay and Cash App, we want to give you some background info on these platforms.
Apple Pay
Apple Pay ranks among the most widely used mobile payment and wallet services on the market. 45.5% of mobile wallet users have Apple Pay set up on their phones.
The NFC technology enables iPhone users to pay merchants in-person or online from their smartphones. Just hold your phone against the terminal, and you’re good to go.
Also, Apple Pay doesn’t even need any internet connection to work. It transfers data via NFC chips, so your payment will push through as long as you have a working POS terminal.
As for the funds, just connect your Apple Pay wallet to any commercial bank-issued debit and credit card, or you can request an Apple Cash card. Apple Pay will either charge your linked card or wallet.
Pros
- Top-notch data privacy and security
- Function without internet connectivity
- Connects to any iOS device
- Zero monthly membership fees
Cons
- Only available on iOS devices
- Limited mobile wallet functions
Cash App
Cash App is another widely known mobile payment and wallet service. Yes, the platform is less accepted and used than Apple Pay, but it still boasts a massive database of 36 million active users.
Like the Apple Pay app, Cash App allows you to pay using only your smartphone. You can either use the platform’s built-in wallet or connect it to a funded debit or credit card.
Cash App’s most notable advantage over the Apple Pay app is its more open platform. Apart from paying online and in-person transactions, you can also use it to buy and sell cryptocurrencies, stocks, and forex.
Pros
- Supports cryptocurrency transactions
- The app supports iOS and Android devices
- App-exclusive “Boosts” or discounts
- Supports stock and bitcoin trading
- No Forex fees
Cons
- No FDIC insurance
- Cryptocurrency transaction fees
- Stringent withdrawal and spending limits
How to Transfer Money From Your Apple Pay to a Cash App Account
Follow this straightforward step-by-step guide on moving money from your Apple Pay wallet to your Cash App account.
- Step 1: Open Your Cash App account and click on your balance at the bottom left of the screen.
- Step 2: The app should direct you to My Cash.
- Step 3: Next, you’ll see your available balance and the Add Cash and Cash Out buttons at the top of your screen.
- Step 4: Scroll down to your Cash, Bitcoin, Chase Bank, and Credit Card buttons, then hit Cash.
- Step 5: The app will prompt you to your Cash App Cash Card menu. Here, you’ll see your ABA routing number and account number. Take note of them.
- Step 6: Exit Cash App and go to Settings.
- Step 7: Scroll down to Wallet and Apple Pay, click the Apple Cash section, then tap Bank Account.
- Step 8: You should see an Add Bank Account button. If not, you likely have an existing card linked, which you’ll need to remove.
- Step 9: Next, you’ll get a prompt asking you to input your ABA routing and account numbers.
- Step 10: Enter the necessary information and hit next. The bank that your Cash App Cash Card uses should now show up on your screen.
- Step 11: Go back to the Apple Cash section and hit Transfer to Bank.
- Step 12: Input the amount you want to transfer, select Instant or Regular Transfer, hit Transfer, then confirm the transaction with your Face ID, Passcode, or Touch ID.
- Step 13: The money will reflect in your Cash App Cash Card balance after processing.
Note: For this transfer to work, you’ll need a working Cash App Cash Card. Request one if you don’t have it yet.
The Time it Takes to Transfer Money From Apple Pay to Cash App
You have two options when transferring money from your Apple Pay wallet to your Cash App account:
Regular Transfer
You can make multiple regular transfers for free as long as you don’t go over your transaction limits. However, each transaction will take 1 to 3 days.
Instant Transfer
You’ll receive your money in real-time, whether you’re sending money to a bank-issued debit card or your Cash App Cash Card.
The longest you’ll wait is 30 minutes. However, Apple Pay charges 1% on every instant transfer you make.
Apple Pay Transfer Limits
Note that you can only move $20,000 every week, and you can’t send more than $10,000 in one transfer. Your Apple Pay wallet limit refreshes after seven calendar days.
However, note that Apple Pay monitors users that frequently max out their accounts. Apple might freeze your funds and lock your account if it suspects you of illegal activities (i.e., money laundering).
Alternative Ways to Transfer Money to a Cash App Account
If you don’t have a Cash App Cash Card yet, you can use a regular debit card to transfer money from your Apple Pay. However, note that you’ll perform two transactions. As such, you might end up paying significantly more in transaction fees,
Nevertheless, if you’d rather use your bank-issued debit card than a Cash App Cash Card, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings, click Wallet and Apple Pay, then tap on the Apple Cash Card section.
- Hit Transfer to Bank.
- Input the amount that you wish to transfer, enter your account details, then choose between a regular and instant transfer.
- Confirm the transaction with your Passcode, Touch ID, or Face ID, then wait for the funds to reflect in your bank account. Again, regular transfers take 1 to 3 days, while instant transfers send money in real-time.
- Open your Cash App, click your Cash App balance, then check if the bank account you’ll be transferring money from is already linked.
- Once you’ve linked your account, hit the Banking tab and press Add Cash.
- Enter the amount you wish to transfer, confirm with your Apple ID, Passcode, or Face ID, then hit submit.
- The money should immediately reflect in your Cash App wallet.
Adding Cash App Card to Apple Pay
Now that you can send money from your Apple Pay wallet to your Cash App account, you can use Cash App whenever Apple Pay’s unavailable.
However, let’s reverse the situation. Let’s say the merchant only accepts Apple Pay, but your funds are in your Cash App Cash Card. What do you do?
Unfortunately, you can’t transfer money from your Cash App account to your Apple Pay wallet. Unlike Cash App, Apple Pay Cash serves as a mobile wallet that you can link to debit and credit cards. It’s not a bank account.
In these instances, you can just pay with your Apple Pay app. Even if your wallet’s empty, you can still use it if it’s connected to your funded Cash App Cash Card—or any working debit/credit card.
Moreover, linking your Cash App Cash Card to Apple Pay only takes a couple of minutes.
- Open Cash App, then head over to the Cash Card screen.
- Click the three dots at the top right of the card graphic, then select Add to Apple Pay.
- Input your name and card number.
- Read the terms and conditions, then tap done.
- At this point, your iPhone’s wallet app should send a push notification stating that your Cash App Cash Card is available for Apple Pay payments.
Transfer Money to and From Mobile Wallets in Real-Time for Free
Overall, you can only transfer funds between Apple Pay and Cash App if you have an eligible debit card. Otherwise, you’ll have to use your linked credit cards to pay.
Again, you can try any other bank account if you don’t have a Cash App Cash Card. But expect the transactions to take a bit longer—even with instant transfer—since your money will pass through another entity.
If you want our advice, get a Cash App Cash Card. You’ll save thousands on transfer fees over time and hasten the transfer process, plus you can order your card straight from Cash App.
Aidan has been writing about personal finance for over 6 years. Prior to this, he worked as a Corporate Finance Analyst where he specialized in Due Diligence, Company Valuations and more. He is a CFA charterholder.
