How to transfer money from Apple Pay to your bank
Apple Pay itself does not hold money — it is a way to spend money that is already in your bank account or on a linked card. If you have received money through Apple Pay (using a feature called Apple Cash or a payment app like Venmo or PayPal that works with Apple Pay), you move that money back to your bank by opening the app where you received it and selecting a transfer or withdrawal option.
The steps differ depending on which app sent you the money. If someone paid you through Apple Cash (Apple's built-in digital wallet), you use the Wallet app on your iPhone. If the money came through a third-party app like Venmo, PayPal, or Square Cash, you use that app instead. In all cases, you will need your bank account number and routing number, which you can find on a check or by logging into your bank's website.
Key Takeaways
- Apple Pay is a spending tool, not a savings account — money you receive sits in Apple Cash or a third-party app until you move it to your bank.
- The transfer process depends on which app holds your money: use the Wallet app for Apple Cash, or the original payment app (Venmo, PayPal, etc.) for money received there.
- You will need your bank's routing number and your account number to complete any transfer, both of which appear on a check or in your bank's online portal.
- Transfers usually take one to three business days, though some apps offer faster options for a small fee.
- Your bank may charge a fee for receiving transfers from certain apps, so check your account agreement or call your bank if you are unsure.
Transferring Apple Cash to your bank account
If you received money through Apple Cash (the digital wallet built into iPhones), open the Wallet app and tap the Apple Cash card. Look for a menu icon (usually three dots or lines) and select "Transfer to Bank" or "Send Money." You will see a field asking how much to transfer. Enter the amount and tap next.
On the next screen, select your bank account from the list of accounts you have already linked to Apple Pay. If you have not linked a bank account yet, you will need to add one by entering your account number, routing number, and the name on the account. After you confirm the transfer, Apple will show you an estimated arrival date — usually one to three business days.
Apple does not charge a fee to move money from Apple Cash to your bank, but your bank might. Some banks charge a small fee for incoming transfers from digital wallets. Call your bank's customer service line (the number is on the back of your card) and ask whether they charge for transfers from Apple Cash or other payment apps.
Transferring money from Venmo, PayPal, or other payment apps
If you received money through Venmo, PayPal, Square Cash, or another payment app that works with Apple Pay, you do not use the Wallet app to transfer it. Instead, open the payment app itself. Look for a menu labeled "Wallet," "Balance," "Account," or "Settings" — the exact name varies by app.
Inside that menu, find an option that says "Transfer to Bank," "Withdraw," "Cash Out," or "Move Money." Tap it and enter the amount you want to move. Select your bank account from the list (or add a new one if you have not linked it yet). Confirm the transfer and note the date the app shows you.
Most payment apps take one to three business days to move money to your bank. Some offer faster options — Venmo's "when ready Transfer" and PayPal's "when ready Transfer" move money in minutes but charge a small percentage of the amount (usually 1 to 2 percent). Standard transfers are free. Check the app's transfer screen to see which option is available to you.
What information you need before you start
To link a bank account to any payment app, you will need two pieces of information: your routing number and your account number. The routing number identifies your specific bank branch. The account number identifies your individual account within that bank.
Both numbers appear on the bottom left of any check you have from that account. The routing number is the first set of nine digits. The account number is the second set, usually 10 to 12 digits long. If you do not have a check, log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for an option labeled "Account Details," "Account Information," or "Routing Number." You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask them to read both numbers to you.
Write down both numbers or take a photo of them before you open the payment app. Having them ready makes the linking process faster and reduces the chance of typing errors.
Why transfers take time
When you request a transfer from a payment app to your bank, the money does not move when ready. The payment app and your bank communicate through a system called the Automated Clearing House, or ACH. This system batches transfers together and processes them in groups, usually once per business day.
Because of this batching, a transfer you request on a Monday morning might not reach your bank until Wednesday or Thursday. Weekends and bank holidays add extra days. If you request a transfer on Friday evening, it may not process until the following Tuesday or Wednesday.
Some payment apps offer faster options that skip the ACH system and move money through a different route. These "when ready" or "next-day" transfers cost a fee because they use a faster system. Standard transfers are free because they use the slower ACH route.
Linking a new bank account safely
When you add a bank account to a payment app for the first time, the app may ask you to verify that you own the account. Some apps do this by depositing two small amounts (usually under one dollar each) into your account, then asking you to tell them what those amounts were. This takes a few days because the deposits have to clear through your bank first.
Other apps verify by asking you to log into your bank's website while you are in the payment app, so your bank can confirm your identity directly. This method is faster and safer because you never type your bank password into the payment app itself.
Never give a payment app your bank password. Legitimate apps do not ask for it. If an app asks for your password, stop and contact the app's customer service to report the request.
What to do if a transfer does not arrive
If you requested a transfer more than five business days ago and the money has not appeared in your bank account, contact the payment app first. Open the app, find your transfer history (usually under "Activity," "History," or "Transactions"), and look for the transfer you sent. If the app shows it as "Completed" or "Sent," the money has left the payment app and is on its way to your bank.
If the app shows the transfer as "Pending" or "Processing," wait another day or two. If it still shows that status after five business days, contact the app's customer service through the app itself or through their website.
If the app shows the transfer as "Failed" or "Cancelled," the transfer did not go through. The app will usually tell you why — common reasons include a mismatched account number, a closed account, or a temporary problem with your bank's system. Try the transfer again, or contact the app's customer service for help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer money from Apple Pay to a bank account that is not in my name?
No. Payment apps require that the bank account you link belong to you. If you want to send money to someone else, use the payment app's "send money to a person" feature instead, which lets you pay another user directly. That person can then transfer the money to their own bank account.
Do I have to pay a fee to transfer money to my bank?
The payment app usually does not charge a fee for standard transfers. However, your bank might charge a small fee for receiving transfers from digital wallets — this varies by bank. Call your bank to ask. If you choose a faster transfer option (like Venmo when ready Transfer), the payment app will charge a percentage fee, usually 1 to 2 percent.
What if I entered the wrong account number?
If you made a mistake when linking your account, the transfer may fail or go to the wrong account. Check the payment app's transfer history to see if it shows as "Failed." If it does, try again with the correct number. If the transfer shows as "Completed" but went to the wrong account, contact that bank when ready to report the error — they may be able to reverse it. Also contact the payment app's customer service.
Can I transfer money from Apple Pay to a savings account instead of a checking account?
Yes. When you link a bank account, you can choose either a checking or savings account. The process is the same. Just make sure you enter the correct routing number and account number for the account you want the money to go to.
How long does it take to link a bank account for the first time?
If the app verifies your account by asking you to log into your bank's website, it usually takes a few minutes. If the app verifies by depositing small amounts into your account, it takes three to five business days because those deposits have to clear through your bank first. After verification is complete, future transfers will be faster.