Yes, but only in specific ways depending on what's in your Apple Pay account
You cannot transfer money directly from Apple Pay itself to a bank account. Apple Pay is a payment method, not a wallet that holds your own money. However, if you received money through Apple Pay's peer-to-peer feature (Apple Cash), you can move that balance to your bank account. The process takes one to three business days and requires you to set up a linked bank account in the Wallet app first.
The confusion happens because Apple Pay serves two different purposes. When you use Apple Pay to pay for something at a store or online, you're spending money from a card or bank account you've already linked—nothing sits in Apple Pay waiting to be moved. But when someone sends you money through Apple Cash (the peer-to-peer feature), that money does land in an Apple Cash balance, and that's what you can transfer out.
Key Takeaways
- Apple Pay itself does not hold money; it only processes payments from cards or bank accounts you link to it.
- If you received money through Apple Cash (peer-to-peer transfers), that balance can be moved to a linked bank account in one to three business days.
- You must add your bank account to the Wallet app and verify it before you can transfer Apple Cash out.
- Transfers to a debit card are faster (one to three hours) than transfers to a savings or checking account (one to three business days).
- Apple charges no fee for transfers to a bank account, but transfers to a debit card cost 1 percent of the amount.
How to transfer Apple Cash to a bank account
Open the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap the Apple Cash card (it shows your current balance). Tap the three dots or the info icon in the top right corner, then select "Transfer to Bank." Choose the amount you want to move and confirm the bank account you want it to go to.
If you have not yet linked a bank account, you will be prompted to add one. You will need your account number and routing number, which you can find on a check or by logging into your bank's website or app. Apple will verify the account by depositing two small amounts (usually under $1 each) into it within one to two business days. You then confirm those amounts in the Wallet app to prove you own the account.
Once your bank account is verified, transfers take one to three business days to arrive. The money leaves your Apple Cash balance immediately, but your bank may take an additional day to post it depending on their processing schedule.
Debit card transfers are faster but cost more
If you need the money sooner, you can transfer Apple Cash to a debit card instead of a bank account. Debit card transfers arrive in one to three hours, but Apple charges 1 percent of the transfer amount as a fee. A $100 transfer costs $1; a $500 transfer costs $5.
Bank account transfers are free, which is why most people use that option when they are not in a hurry. Choose the debit card route only if you need immediate access and can absorb the fee.
What happens if your bank account is not verified yet
The verification process can take up to two business days. During that time, you cannot transfer money out of Apple Cash to that account. If you added a bank account but have not yet confirmed the two verification deposits, check your bank account for deposits from Apple, usually labeled "APPLE" or "APPLE CASH." Log back into the Wallet app and enter those amounts to complete verification.
If you do not see the verification deposits after two business days, the account may not be may be able to access for transfers. Some banks, particularly smaller regional banks or credit unions, do not accept ACH deposits from Apple. Try adding a different account, or use the debit card transfer option instead.
Why you might not see a transfer option
If the "Transfer to Bank" button does not appear in your Wallet app, check that you are using iOS 11.2 or later and that you are signed in with the same Apple ID on your device and in iCloud. Apple Cash is not available in all countries; if you are outside the United States, the feature may not work at all.
You also cannot transfer a balance of zero or a negative balance (which can happen if you received a refund that exceeded your cash balance). Wait until you receive money again or add funds through a linked card before attempting a transfer.
How to add funds to Apple Cash if you need to transfer money out
You can load money into Apple Cash using a linked debit or credit card, then transfer that balance to your bank account. Open the Wallet app, tap your Apple Cash card, tap the three dots, and select "Add Money." Choose an amount and confirm with Face ID or Touch ID. The money appears in your Apple Cash balance immediately.
This is rarely necessary—most people only transfer Apple Cash when they have received money from someone else. But if you want to move funds from a credit card to your bank account, this is one way to do it, though you will pay the credit card's cash advance fee (usually 3 to 5 percent) plus any interest if you do not pay the card off immediately.
Transfers that fail or take longer than expected
If a transfer shows as pending for more than three business days, log into your bank account and check whether the deposit arrived but has not posted yet. Some banks hold ACH deposits for an extra day or two before making them available.
If the transfer failed, you will see an error message in the Wallet app. The most common reasons are a closed or frozen bank account, incorrect account information, or a bank that does not accept ACH transfers from Apple. Try transferring to a different account, or contact your bank to confirm the account is active and accepting deposits. If the problem persists, use a debit card transfer instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer Apple Cash to someone else's bank account?
No. You can only transfer Apple Cash to a bank account or debit card registered to the same Apple ID. If you want to send money to someone else, use the peer-to-peer feature to send them Apple Cash directly, and they can transfer it to their own account.
What if I have money in Apple Pay from a refund?
Refunds from purchases made with Apple Pay typically go back to the original payment method (the card or account you used), not to Apple Cash. If a refund lands in Apple Cash, you can transfer it to your bank account using the same process as any other Apple Cash balance.
Do I need a specific type of bank account to receive transfers?
No. Checking accounts, savings accounts, and money market accounts all work. Some credit unions and smaller banks may not accept ACH transfers from Apple, so if your transfer fails, try a different account or contact your bank to ask whether they accept ACH deposits.
Can I set up automatic transfers from Apple Cash to my bank account?
No. Each transfer must be initiated manually through the Wallet app. There is no option to schedule recurring transfers or set up automatic payouts.
What if my Apple Cash balance is negative?
A negative balance usually means you spent more than you had in Apple Cash, and the overage was charged to a linked card. You cannot transfer a negative balance. Wait until you receive money or add funds to bring the balance positive before attempting a transfer.