Personal Finance Money transfer

How to use Apple Tap to Cash

Alexis Konovodoff

26.12.24

Read time 3 minutes

Apple® Tap to Cash is a new feature for iOS 18 users. Pay anyone using Apple Pay without sharing your mobile number or email address.

Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about Apple Tap to Cash, including exactly how to use Apple Cash for quick and easy payments.

Table of contents
What is Tap to Cash? How to use Apple Tap to Cash Tap to Cash on iPhone Tap to Cash on Apple Watch How to set up Apple Cash Make low cost international transfers with Wise Apple Tap to Cash FAQs

What is Tap to Cash?

Apple Tap to Cash is a new way to pay friends and family through Apple Cash. You can send and receive funds simply by tapping 2 iPhones together.

Use Tap to Cash to:

pay for goods or services using your iPhone or Apple Watch

send money to friends and family

pay sellers without sharing your mobile number or personal information¹

Once you’ve set up Apple Cash on your device, you can send money through Apple Pay.

How to use Apple Tap to Cash

If you want to use Apple Tap to Cash, you’ll need:

a compatible Apple device – iOS 18 (or later) or watchOS 11 (or later) Apple Cash a wifi or cellular connection²

Let’s take a look at how to use Apple Tap to pay using your iPhone or Apple Watch.

Tap to Cash on iPhone

If you want to send money via Tap to Cash on your iPhone, simply follow these steps:

Step 1. Open your Wallet and select your Apple Cash card

Step 2. Select “Send” or “Request”

Step 3. Select “Tap to Cash”

Step 4. Enter the amount you want to send and click “Next”. You can also add a note for your recipient

Step 5. Double-click the side button on your iPhone

Step 6. Hold the top of your iPhone near another iPhone or Apple Watch to transfer funds²

Tap to Cash on Apple Watch

You can also send money via your Apple Watch. Let’s take a look at a step-by-step guide.

Step 1. Open your Apple Wallet and select your Apple Cash card

Step 2. Scroll down and select “Tap to Cash”

Step 3. Enter the amount you want to send and click “Next”

Step 4. Double-click the side button on your device

Step 5. Hold your Apple Watch near another iPhone or Apple Watch to complete your payment²

How to set up Apple Cash

Apple Cash is a digital card in your Apple Wallet – and you can use it to send money via message, tap, or direct wallet payments.³

If you don’t have Apple Cash on your iPhone, you’ll need to set it up before you can use Tap to Cash.

To set up Apple Cash, you’ll need to be at least 18 years old and you’ll need to live in the US. You’ll also need:

a compatible device with the latest iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, or visionOS

two-factor authentication set up on your Apple account

to sign into iCloud with the same Apple account on any device you want to use⁴

Simply follow these steps to set up Apple Cash on your device:

Step 1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Vision Pro

Step 2. Scroll down and select “Wallet & Apple Pay”

Step 3. Turn on Apple Cash

Step 4. Under “Payment Cards”, select “Apple Cash”

Step 5. Select “Continue” and follow the on-screen instructions⁴

Make low cost international transfers with Wise

A smart option if you’re sending money overseas: meet Wise.

Register a Wise account online or in the Wise app, and send money to 160+ countries, with the mid-market exchange rate and low, transparent fees.

Wise always shows you the amount you’re paying and how much your recipient will get — and you can even compare against other providers on the Wise app or desktop site.

If another service is cheaper for your particular payment, you’ll be shown — so you can’t lose.

Get started with Wise

See how Wise compares with international bank transfers in our full guide

Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information

Apple Tap to Cash FAQs

Using Apple Tap to Cash? Let’s take a look at everything you need to know.

How much Apple Cash can you send?

You can use Apple Tap to Cash to send or receive up to 2000 USD in a 7-day period.² If you need to send more, use Apple Messages to transfer up to 10,000 USD.⁵

It’s important to remember that Apple Cash is currently only available in the US.⁶

Is Apple Cash taxable?

Tap to Cash Apple Pay transactions may be considered taxable, as you can use Apple Cash to exchange goods or services for money.

You’ll need to speak to your accountant for more information on how Apple Cash affects your taxes.⁷

Which iPhones have Tap to Cash?

You can access Apple Tap to Cash if you have an iPhone 18 or later. You can also pay by Apple Cash using your Apple Watch 11 or later.

Apple Tap to Cash is an easy way to pay friends and family – and you can set it up on your Apple device with just a few clicks.

However, you can only use Apple Tap to Cash in the US, so you’ll need to use a different method for international payments.

To send stress-free transfers to over 160 countries, check out Wise.

Sources

Apple - New features come to Apple services this fall
Apple - Use Tap to Cash
Apple - Apple Cash
Apple - Set up Apple Cash
Apple - Apple Cash and person-to-person limits
Engadget - How to use the new Apple Cash Tap to Cash feature in iOS 18
GB Times - Is Apple pay taxable?

Sources checked 12.18.2024

*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.