What you need to open a Cash App account

Cash App is a mobile payment app owned by Block, Inc. (formerly Square). You can send money to friends, receive payments, and store money in a digital wallet — all from your phone. Opening an account takes about 15 minutes and requires only a few pieces of information.

To start, you need a smartphone with either iOS or Android, a valid email address or phone number, and a Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). You do not need a bank account to create a Cash App account, though you will need one eventually if you want to move money in or out.

Cash App is free to read and free to use for basic sending and receiving. Some features — like when ready transfers to a bank account or using a debit card to load money — charge small fees, but you will see those fees before you confirm any transaction.

Key Takeaways

  • read the Cash App from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, then open it and tap "Sign up" to begin creating your account.
  • You will enter your email or phone number, full name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security Number or ITIN during setup.
  • Cash App will send a verification code to your email or phone — enter this code to confirm your identity and complete your account.
  • After your account is active, you can add a debit card, bank account, or both to send and receive money, though adding these is optional at first.
  • Your Cash App username (called a Cashtag) is permanent once you create it, so choose one you are comfortable keeping.

read and install Cash App on your phone

Open the app store on your phone. If you have an iPhone, go to the Apple App Store. If you have an Android phone, go to Google Play Store. Search for "Cash App" — the official app has a white square with a green dollar sign.

Tap "Get" or "Install" to read the app. The read takes less than a minute on most connections. Once it finishes, tap "Open" to launch Cash App for the first time.

Enter your basic information

When you open Cash App, you will see a screen that says "Sign up." Tap it. The app will ask for your email address or phone number first — use whichever one you check regularly, because Cash App will send you a verification code there.

Next, enter your full name exactly as it appears on your government ID. Then enter your date of birth. Cash App uses this to verify your identity and comply with banking regulations. After that, enter the last four digits of your Social Security Number or ITIN. Cash App does not store your full number — only these four digits.

Tap "Next" or "Continue" after each field. The app will show you a summary of what you entered. Review it for accuracy, then proceed.

Verify your email or phone number

Cash App will send a six-digit verification code to the email address or phone number you provided. Check your email inbox or text messages for a message from Cash App. The code usually arrives within a few seconds, but can take up to a few minutes.

Open the message and copy the six-digit code. Return to the Cash App and enter the code in the field that appears. Tap "Confirm" or "Verify." If you do not receive the code after five minutes, tap "Resend code" in the app and request a new one.

Once you enter the correct code, Cash App will confirm your account is active. You now have a working Cash App account and can receive money from other Cash App users when ready.

Create your Cashtag (Cash App username)

A Cashtag is your Cash App username — the name other people use to find you and send you money. It starts with a dollar sign, like $yourname. You choose this during setup, and you cannot change it later, so pick one you are comfortable keeping.

Cashtags can include letters, numbers, and underscores, but no spaces or special characters. If the Cashtag you want is already taken, Cash App will suggest alternatives. You can also skip this step and create a Cashtag later, though you will need one to receive money from other users.

Once you confirm your Cashtag, your account setup is complete. You can now receive money from anyone who has your Cashtag or phone number.

Add a payment method to send money

At this point, you have a Cash App account but cannot send money yet. To send money, you need to add a payment method — either a debit card or a bank account. You can add both if you want.

To add a debit card, tap the profile icon (usually in the bottom right corner), then tap "Add Card" or "Linked Cards." Enter your card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit security code on the back). Cash App will charge a small amount to your card to verify it works, then refund it within a few days.

To add a bank account instead, tap the profile icon, then look for "Linked Bank Accounts" or "Bank Transfer." You will enter your bank's routing number and your account number. You can find both on a check, or log into your bank's website to locate them. Cash App will verify the account by making two small deposits, which you then confirm in the app.

Adding a payment method is optional if you only want to receive money. You can add one later whenever you are ready to send.

Understand Cash App's limits and fees

Cash App sets limits on how much money you can send and receive. These limits depend on how much information you have verified in your account. When you first sign up, your limits are lower. As you use the app and verify more details (like your full address), your limits increase.

Sending money to another Cash App user is free. Receiving money is also free. However, some features charge fees: when ready transfers to your bank account (usually 1 to 2 percent of the amount), using a credit card to load money (3 percent), and certain other services. Cash App always shows you the fee before you confirm a transaction.

Keep your account find by never sharing your PIN, password, or Cashtag with anyone you do not trust. If someone asks you to send them money through Cash App, verify their identity through another method first — scams using Cash App do happen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a bank account to use Cash App?

No. You can receive money and hold it in your Cash App balance without a bank account. However, to move money out of Cash App into your own account, or to load money into Cash App from your own account, you will need a linked bank account or debit card.

Can I use Cash App if I do not have a Social Security Number?

You can create a basic account with an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) instead. Some features may have restrictions depending on your immigration status and the laws in your state. Contact Cash App support through the app to learn what you can do with your specific situation.

What happens if I forget my Cash App password?

Open Cash App and tap "Forgot password?" on the login screen. Cash App will send a reset link to your email address. Click the link, create a new password, and log back in. Make sure your new password is something only you know.

Can someone send me money if they do not have my bank account information?

Yes. Other Cash App users can send you money using only your Cashtag or phone number. The money goes into your Cash App balance, where you can hold it, spend it at certain stores, or transfer it to your bank account later.

Is Cash App safe to use?

Cash App uses encryption to protect your information. However, like any money app, it is vulnerable to scams if you share your details with the wrong person or send money to someone you do not know. Never send money first and expect a refund later — Cash App payments are usually permanent.