Record the cash payment by opening the expense, selecting "Payment," and choosing cash as the method
When you pay someone back in cash through Splitwise, you are not creating a new expense—you are recording a payment against an existing debt. Open Splitwise, find the person you paid, and tap or click the payment icon (usually a small arrow or transfer symbol). Select "Payment" from the menu, enter the amount you handed over, and choose "Cash" as the payment method. Splitwise will then mark that portion of the debt as settled.
The key difference: an expense splits a cost between people. A payment clears what one person already owes the other. If you and a friend split a $40 dinner and you paid cash, that is an expense. If your friend later hands you $20 in cash to settle their half, that is a payment.
Key Takeaways
- Payments and expenses are different actions in Splitwise—a payment records money changing hands to settle a debt, while an expense splits a cost between people.
- To record a cash payment, open the person's profile, tap the payment button, enter the amount, and select cash as the method.
- Cash payments do not require a receipt or photo because Splitwise trusts both people have agreed the payment happened.
- If you record a cash payment by mistake, you can delete it and create a new one, but both people must have the app to see the change.
Where to find the payment button in Splitwise
The payment button location depends on which version of Splitwise you are using. On the mobile app, open the person's name from your friends list, and look for a small icon near the top—usually an arrow, a plus sign, or a money symbol. Tap it and select "Payment" from the options that appear. On the web version, click the person's name and look for a similar icon or a "Record Payment" link.
If you cannot find the button, you can also swipe left on the person's name (mobile) or right-click their entry (web) to see a menu. Some older versions of the app hide the payment option in a settings menu, so check the three-dot menu if the main button is not visible.
Why Splitwise asks for a payment method even though it is cash
Splitwise offers several payment methods—cash, Venmo, PayPal, bank transfer, and others—so it can track how the money moved. When you select cash, you are telling Splitwise that you and the other person exchanged physical money, not that you sent it through an app or bank. This matters because it affects how the app notifies the other person and whether a receipt is needed.
Cash payments are marked differently in the app's history than digital payments. If you later need to prove you paid someone, a cash payment record in Splitwise shows intent and agreement, but it does not create the same digital trail as a Venmo or bank transfer would. Both people must confirm the payment happened for it to stick.
What happens after you record a cash payment
Once you tap "Confirm" or "Save," Splitwise sends a notification to the other person saying you recorded a cash payment toward your shared debt. They will see the amount and the date. If they agree, they can confirm it on their end, and the debt will be marked as settled for that amount. If they do not confirm within a few days, Splitwise may send them a reminder.
If the other person disputes the payment—for example, they say they never received the cash—they can reject it. When that happens, the payment disappears from both accounts, and the original debt reappears. You would then need to discuss what actually happened and record the payment again, or try a different method like Venmo or a bank transfer that creates a digital record.
Correcting a cash payment you recorded by mistake
If you recorded the wrong amount or recorded a payment that never happened, you can delete it. Open the payment record, look for a delete or trash icon (usually at the bottom or in a menu), and confirm the deletion. The payment will disappear from your history, and the debt will go back to what it was before you recorded the payment.
Both people will see the deletion in their activity feed. If the other person had already confirmed the payment, deleting it will undo that confirmation. After you delete it, you can create a new payment record with the correct amount, or you can leave the debt as is if no payment actually happened.
Recording cash payments when both people do not have Splitwise
If the other person does not have Splitwise installed, they cannot confirm or reject your payment through the app. You can still record it on your end, but it will show as "pending" or "unconfirmed" until they download the app and accept it. Some versions of Splitwise send them a link to download the app when you record the payment.
If they never download Splitwise, the payment record stays in your account but does not officially settle the debt in their view. For this reason, cash payments work best when both people are active Splitwise users. If one person is not using the app, consider recording the payment through a method that creates a digital receipt—like Venmo or a bank transfer—so you both have proof.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a receipt or photo to record a cash payment?
No. Splitwise does not require a photo or receipt for cash payments because it assumes both people have agreed the payment happened. Unlike some payment apps, Splitwise trusts the record you create. If there is a dispute later, you would need to settle it outside the app.
What if I recorded a cash payment but the other person says they never got the money?
If they reject the payment in Splitwise, it will be deleted and the debt will reappear. You can then discuss what happened and decide whether to record it again, try a different payment method, or resolve it in person. Cash leaves no digital trail, so both people have to agree the transaction occurred.
Can I record a partial cash payment?
Yes. Enter the exact amount you paid in cash, even if it is less than the full debt. Splitwise will reduce the debt by that amount, and the remaining balance will still be owed. You can record multiple partial payments over time until the debt is fully settled.
Does Splitwise charge a fee for recording cash payments?
No. Splitwise does not charge a fee to record any payment method, including cash. The app is free to use for tracking and recording payments between friends.