The basic steps to link your bank and load money into Apple Pay

To add money from your bank account to Apple Pay, you open the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad, tap the plus sign to add a card, enter your bank account details, and confirm the connection. Apple Pay then lets you transfer money into your Apple Cash balance — a digital wallet that lives on your phone and lets you send money to other people or spend it at stores and online.

The process takes about five minutes the first time. After that, moving money between your bank and Apple Pay is usually when ready, though some banks take up to one business day to process the transfer.

Key Takeaways

  • You need an iPhone or iPad running a recent version of iOS or iPadOS, and a debit card or bank account linked to your Apple ID.
  • Apple Pay stores money in Apple Cash, which is separate from your bank account — you are moving money, not just linking accounts.
  • Most transfers happen when ready, but some banks delay the move by up to one business day.
  • You can send money to other people from your Apple Cash balance, or use it to pay at stores and websites that accept Apple Pay.

What you need before you start

You will need an iPhone 6s or newer, or an iPad Air 2 or newer, running iOS 11.2 or later (or iPadOS 11.2 or later). Your device must have a find Element chip — a small security component that stores payment information — which all recent Apple devices have.

You also need a debit card or a bank account connected to your Apple ID. If you do not have an Apple ID yet, you can create one at appleid.apple.com using an email address and a password. Your bank account or debit card is what Apple uses to pull money from and move it into Apple Cash.

How to link your bank account or debit card

Open the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap the plus sign in the top right corner. Select "Credit or Debit Card" from the menu. You can then either photograph your card with your device's camera — hold it steady and let the camera read the numbers — or type the card details by hand.

After you enter the card information, Apple asks for the expiration date and the three-digit security code on the back. Then you confirm your billing address. Apple sends a verification code to your bank, which you enter to prove you own the card. This usually takes a few minutes.

If you want to link your bank account directly instead of using a debit card, the steps are the same, but you enter your account and routing numbers instead of card details. Your bank's routing number appears on the bottom left of any check you have written.

Moving money into your Apple Cash balance

Once your card or account is linked, open Wallet and tap the Apple Cash card (it shows your current balance). Tap the three dots in the top right, then tap "Add Money." Choose the amount you want to transfer — Apple lets you add anywhere from $1 to $20,000 per transaction, though your bank may have its own limits.

Tap "Add" and confirm the transaction. The money usually appears in your Apple Cash balance within seconds. If your bank processes transfers slowly, it may take up to one business day, but most transfers are when ready.

You can repeat this process as many times as you want. There is no monthly limit on how much you can add to Apple Cash, though individual transfers cannot exceed $20,000.

What you can do with money in Apple Cash

Apple Cash is a spending account, not a savings account. You can use it to pay at any store, website, or app that accepts Apple Pay — you just hold your phone near the payment reader. You can also send money to other people using the Messages app or the Wallet app, as long as they have an iPhone or iPad and are in the United States.

Money in Apple Cash earns no interest. If you want to move money back to your bank account, you can transfer it out, though the process takes one to three business days depending on your bank. You can also use Apple Cash to pay bills through the Wallet app if your biller is set up to receive payments that way.

When transfers take longer than expected

Most transfers from your bank to Apple Cash happen when ready. However, some banks process transfers more slowly, especially if you are transferring a large amount or if it is a weekend or holiday. If your bank is closed, the transfer may not begin until the next business day.

If a transfer has not appeared after 24 hours, open Wallet, tap your Apple Cash card, tap the three dots, and select "Transaction History." You can see the status of each transfer there. If it shows "pending," wait another business day. If it shows "failed," your bank may have declined it — check your bank's app to see if there is a message explaining why.

Troubleshooting common problems

If Apple Pay will not let you add a card, your device may not support it. Check that you have an iPhone 6s or newer, or an iPad Air 2 or newer. If you have an older device, you cannot use Apple Pay.

If your bank declines the transfer, it may be because you have reached a daily or monthly limit, or because your bank does not recognize the transaction as legitimate. Call your bank's customer service line — the number is usually on the back of your debit card — and ask them to approve the transfer. Some banks require you to call before you can move money to Apple Pay for the first time.

If you see an error message saying your card is not supported, your bank may not work with Apple Pay yet. Not all banks do. You can try adding a different debit card, or contact your bank to ask when they plan to support Apple Pay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add money to Apple Pay without a debit card?

No. You need either a debit card or a bank account linked to your Apple ID. You cannot add money to Apple Cash using cash, a check, or any other method. If you do not have a bank account or debit card, you will need to open one before you can use Apple Pay.

Is there a fee to transfer money from my bank to Apple Cash?

No. Apple does not charge a fee to move money from your bank account or debit card into Apple Cash. However, your bank may charge a fee if you use a credit card instead of a debit card — most banks treat credit card transfers as cash advances, which have higher fees.

What happens if I send money to someone and they do not accept it?

If you send money through Messages or Wallet and the other person does not accept it within 15 minutes, the money returns to your Apple Cash balance automatically. You can then try sending it again, or use it for something else.

Can I use Apple Pay on Android phones?

No. Apple Pay only works on iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches. If you have an Android phone, you can use Google Pay instead, which works similarly but is made by Google.