How to send money through Apple Pay: step by step

If you’ve got an Apple phone, you may not be making full use of all the handy features for digital payments and spending. One great function if you’re US based is the option to send payments through Apple Pay¹ and Apple Cash².

Apple Pay payments are easy and fast — this guide covers how to send other people money through Apple Pay, including the payment options available from the US. We’ll also look at how you can send money internationally with Apple Pay and a smart digital Wise account, with low fees and the mid-market exchange rate.

Can you send money to someone else with Apple Pay?

Yes. If you’re in the US and have an eligible Apple device, you can send domestic USD payments using Apple Pay and Apple Cash.

Apple Pay payments can only be made to other people within the US at the moment. However, if you need to send money to someone overseas, we have a neat solution, with low cost international transfers funded through Apple Pay with Wise. More on that later.

What's the difference between Apple Cash and Apple Pay?

Apple Cash is a digital card you’ll find in your iPhone’s Wallet app. You can use Apple Cash to send and receive payments through Wallet or Apple Messages.

Apple Pay on the other hand is the feature which lets you make contactless payments using any balance held in Apple Cash, or with any other payment method you’ve added to your Apple Wallet.

Sending money to someone else with Apple Pay Cash: step by step

If you’ve received money through Messages, or if someone has sent you a payment using Apple Wallet, the funds will be added to your Apple Cash card.

You can also top up your Apple Cash from any linked payment method, and your cashback will be added to this account if you have an Apple Card³.

You can send money to someone else with Apple Pay Cash either through the Apple Wallet app, or in Messages⁴.

To send a payment through messages:

1. Open Messages on your phone

2. Start a new conversation with the person you want to pay, or tap an existing conversation with them

3. Tap the Apple Cash button which you’ll find at the bottom of the screen

4. Enter the amount you want to pay

5. Tap Pay, confirm, and your money is on its way

If you’d rather send money through Apple Pay Cash in the Wallet feature:

1. Open Wallet

2. Select your Apple Cash card which you’ll find there

3. Tap Send money

4. Select a recipient from your contacts, or add a new contact to pay

5. Enter the amount you want to pay

6. Tap Pay, confirm, and your money is on its way

Sending money through Apple Pay on iPhone: step by step

Apple’s default setting will mean that any payment you make in Messages or from Wallet using the steps outlined above will be deducted from your Apple Cash balance in the first instance.

However, if you’d rather not use your Apple Cash balance — or if there isn’t enough money in your Apple Cash to cover the transfer, you can also pay using any card you hold in your Apple Wallet⁵.

If you have an Apple Cash balance but don’t want to use it for your transfer, you’ll need to turn off Apple Cash as a payment method in your phone’s settings.

Once you’ve done this — or if you don’t have sufficient balance in Apple Cash to cover the transfer you’re trying to make — you’ll be prompted to select the card from your wallet you want to use to fund the transfer.

Just follow the steps laid out above to make a payment in Messages or through Wallet, and select the card you want to use with Apple Pay when prompted. Easy.

Withdrawing money from Apple Pay: step by step

If you have money on your Apple Cash card you can withdraw it to your bank account in 1 — 3 working days, or make an instant transfer to an eligible debit card⁶.

For an instant transfer to a debit card from your phone, you’ll need to:

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Step 1. Open Wallet and select the Apple Cash card

Step 2. Tap the More button and select Transfer to bank

Step 3. Enter the amount you want to withdraw, and select Instant Transfer

Step 4. Add the card you want to transfer to if it’s not already in your Wallet

Step 5. Tap Transfer, select the card you need, confirm and you’re done

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If you make an instant transfer, there’s a 1.5% fee, from a minimum of 0.25% to a maximum of 15 USD per transfer.

If you need to transfer your money to a bank account you can also do that for no fee, although this may take a little longer to arrive:

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Step 1. Open Wallet and select the Apple Cash card

Step 2. Tap the More button and select Transfer to bank

Step 3. Enter the amount you want to withdraw, and select 1 — 3 business days

Step 4. Add a linked bank account if you don’t already have one

Step 5. Tap Transfer, confirm and you’re done

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Pay for your international transfer using Apple Pay with Wise

Apple Pay and Apple Cash transfers can only be made within the US. If you need to send money online to someone based overseas, a Wise account could be the ideal solution.

With Wise you can set up your transfer online or in app, and make your payment with a low fee and the mid-market rate. When it’s time to pay for your transfer, select Apple Pay, to send money seamlessly through Apple Pay and Wise, with great rates and transparent costs every time.

For a fee, you can also get a Wise international debit card which you can add to Apple Pay for contactless spending with the mid-market rate in 174 countries.

It’s free to spend any currency you hold — and if you don’t have the one you need, the card automatically converts to the currency you need, at the best rate whenever you spend.

Get a Wise account
in minutes

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

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Apple Pay and Apple Cash offer easy ways to make fast payments to friends and family within the US.

All you need is a few basic contact details to get started. Use this guide to learn more about how to send money through Apple Pay, and remember that sending money overseas can be just as simple if you use Wise with Apple Pay.

Send money to 80+ countries with the mid-market exchange rate and low, transparent fees, right from your smartphone.

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Sources:

1. Apple Pay
2. Apple Cash
3. Apple Card
4. Apple Support - Send with Apple Cash
5. Apple Pay - Send money with a debit card
6. Apple Support - Transfer money to a bank account

Sources checked on 09.22.2022