Download the app and create your account

Cash App is a mobile payment app made by Square. To use it, download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, then open it and tap "Sign up". You will need to provide your first name, last name, email address, and date of birth. Cash App will send a verification code to your email — enter that code to confirm your account exists.

After email verification, you create a $Cashtag, which is your Cash App username. It starts with a dollar sign and can include letters, numbers, and underscores. This is how other people find and send you money. Choose something you recognize and do not mind sharing publicly, because anyone with your $Cashtag can look up your profile.

Once your account is created, you can receive money from other Cash App users immediately. However, to send money or withdraw funds to your bank account, you need to add a payment method and verify your identity.

Key Takeaways

  • Download Cash App, sign up with your name and email, and create a $Cashtag to receive money from other users right away.
  • To send money or cash out to your bank, add a debit card or bank account and verify your identity with your Social Security number and address.
  • Cash App charges no fee to send money to other Cash App users, but charges 1.5% to send to a bank account or to use a credit card as your funding source.
  • Your first transfer to a new bank account may take one to three business days; future transfers usually arrive within one to two business days.
  • Cash App does not insure money in your account the way a bank does, so treat it as a temporary holding place, not a savings account.

Add a debit card to send money

To send money to another Cash App user, tap the dollar sign at the bottom of the screen, enter the amount, and select the recipient by their $Cashtag, phone number, or email. Cash App will ask where the money comes from — this is your funding source. If you have not added a payment method yet, you cannot complete the send.

To add a debit card, go to the profile icon (usually in the top right corner), tap "Cash" or "My Cash", then tap the card icon. Select "Add a Debit Card" and enter your card number, expiration date, and CVV. Cash App will charge a small amount to your card — usually a few cents — and then credit it back. This confirms the card is real and belongs to you.

Once your debit card is added, you can send money to other Cash App users with no fee. If you want to send money to someone who does not use Cash App, you can request their bank account details and send to their bank directly, but Cash App charges 1.5% of the amount for this service.

Verify your identity to withdraw cash

Cash App lets you receive money without verification, but to withdraw funds to your bank account or to send large amounts, you need to verify your identity. Tap your profile icon, select "Personal", then "Verify Identity". Cash App will ask for your full name, date of birth, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your address.

Verification usually takes a few minutes. If Cash App cannot verify you automatically, it may ask for a photo of your ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. Take a clear photo of the front and back, and submit both. This process can take up to 48 hours.

Once verified, you can withdraw money to your linked bank account. Tap "Cash Out", select the amount, choose your bank account, and confirm. The first withdrawal to a new bank account may take one to three business days. After that, most withdrawals arrive within one to two business days.

Link your bank account for faster payouts

You can link your bank account to Cash App in two ways: by entering your account and routing number, or by connecting through your bank's app. To enter the numbers manually, go to your profile, select "Cash", then tap the bank icon. Enter your account number and routing number — you can find both on a check or by logging into your bank's website.

If your bank supports Plaid (a service that connects apps to banks), you can tap "Link with your bank" instead. This is faster and more secure because you log into your bank directly through Plaid, and Cash App never sees your password. Most major banks support this method.

Once your bank account is linked, you can withdraw money to it. Cash App charges 1.5% to cash out to your bank account, with a minimum fee of 25 cents. If you want to avoid the fee, you can keep money in your Cash App balance and spend it using the Cash Card (a debit card Cash App mails to you), but this means your money is not held by a bank.

Understand Cash App's fees and limits

Cash App charges no fee to send money to another Cash App user using your debit card or bank account. If you use a credit card as your funding source, Cash App charges 3% of the amount. Withdrawing to your bank account costs 1.5%, with a 25-cent minimum.

Cash App also has sending and receiving limits. Unverified accounts can receive up to $250 per week. Once you verify your identity, you can receive up to $20,000 per week. Sending limits depend on your account history and verification status — new accounts typically start at $250 per week and increase over time as you use the app.

If you hit a limit, you cannot send or receive more money until the limit resets (usually weekly). You can check your current limits by going to your profile and looking at the "Limits" section.

Keep your account secure

Cash App stores your money in your account balance, not in an FDIC-insured bank account. This means if Cash App is hacked or shuts down, your money may not be protected the way it would be in a traditional bank. Treat your Cash App balance as temporary — withdraw money to your bank account regularly rather than leaving large amounts sitting in the app.

To protect your account, enable two-factor authentication. Go to your profile, tap "Security", and turn on "Two-Factor Authentication". Cash App will send a code to your phone or email every time someone tries to log in from a new device. This makes it much harder for someone to access your account if they steal your password.

Never share your $Cashtag password, PIN, or the code Cash App sends you. Cash App employees will never ask for these. If someone claims to be from Cash App support and asks for your password, they are scamming you.

Troubleshoot common setup problems

If Cash App will not let you add a debit card, the card may be declined by your bank. Call your bank and ask if they block payments to Cash App or other payment apps. Some banks flag these as suspicious and decline them automatically. Your bank can whitelist Cash App so future attempts go through.

If verification fails, make sure the name, date of birth, and address you entered match your government ID exactly. If they do not match, verification will not complete. You can try again after 24 hours, or contact Cash App support through the app by tapping your profile, selecting "Support", and describing the problem.

If a transfer to your bank account does not arrive after three business days, check that you entered your account and routing number correctly. If the numbers are wrong, the money may have been sent to the wrong account or rejected by your bank. Contact your bank first to see if the transfer arrived under a different name or account. If your bank has no record of it, contact Cash App support with the transaction ID (found in your transaction history).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Cash App without a Social Security number?

You can receive money and create an account without a Social Security number, but you cannot withdraw to a bank account or send large amounts without verifying your identity, which requires your Social Security number. If you do not have a Social Security number, you can still use Cash App to receive payments from others, but your sending and receiving limits will stay low.

What happens if I forget my Cash App password?

Tap "Forgot password?" on the login screen. Cash App will send a reset link to your email. Click the link, create a new password, and log back in. If you do not have access to your email, contact Cash App support through the app or website to regain access to your account.

Can I have two Cash App accounts?

Cash App's terms of service say you can only have one account per person. If you create a second account, Cash App may close both. If you need a separate account for business, consider using Square Cash for Business instead, which is designed for small business owners.

Does Cash App report my transactions to the IRS?

Cash App reports large transactions to the IRS. If you send or receive more than $20,000 in a year, or if your account shows a pattern of large transfers, Cash App may file a report with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). This does not mean you did anything wrong — it is a standard reporting requirement for payment apps.

What is the Cash Card and do I need it?

The Cash Card is a debit card Cash App mails to you for free. You can use it to spend money in your Cash App balance at stores and ATMs. You do not need it — you can send and receive money through the app alone. The Cash Card is useful only if you want to spend your Cash App balance without withdrawing to your bank account first.