Yes, you can use Apple Pay to send money to someone, and you can fund it with a credit card
Apple Pay lets you transfer money directly to another person through the Apple Cash feature (called Apple Cash on iPhone and iPad, or Apple Cash card if you're using it as a standalone account). You can fund these transfers with a credit card linked to your Apple Pay wallet. The money lands in the recipient's Apple Cash account, and they can then move it to their bank account, spend it in stores, or send it to someone else.
The process is straightforward: you open the Wallet app, tap the Apple Cash card, select "Send Money," enter the amount and the recipient's contact information, and confirm. The credit card you've already added to Apple Pay processes the payment automatically. No separate approval step or waiting period — the transfer happens within minutes.
Key Takeaways
- Apple Cash transfers funded by credit card appear in the recipient's Apple Cash account within minutes, not days.
- Both you and the recipient need an Apple device with Wallet app access and a valid payment method on file.
- Most credit cards work, but some issuers block peer-to-peer transfers or charge a cash advance fee — check with your card issuer first.
- The recipient can withdraw the money to their bank account, but Apple charges a 1.5% fee for when ready transfers (standard transfers are free but take one to three business days).
- You can send up to $20,000 per transaction, though daily and weekly limits may explore depending on your account history.
What you need before you can send money
You need an iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch running a current version of iOS, iPadOS, or watchOS. You also need to be at least 18 years old and have a valid payment method on file — that credit card, a debit card, or a linked bank account. Your Apple ID must have two-factor authentication turned on, which is Apple's security requirement for any financial transaction.
The person receiving the money needs an Apple device and their own Apple Cash account. They don't need to have sent money before; they just need the Wallet app and a way to receive funds (a linked bank account or debit card). If they don't have Apple Cash set up yet, you can still initiate the transfer and they'll receive a notification to set up it.
How to send money using Apple Pay and a credit card
Open the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap the Apple Cash card (it usually shows a white or green card with an Apple logo). If you don't see it, tap the plus icon in the top right corner and select "Apple Cash" to create an account first.
Tap the "Send Money" button or the arrow icon. Enter the amount you want to send. Select the recipient by typing their name, phone number, or email address — they must be in your contacts or you must have their exact contact information. Confirm the amount and tap "Send."
Your credit card processes the payment when ready. The recipient sees the money in their Apple Cash account within minutes. They can then transfer it to their bank account (free, takes one to three business days) or request an when ready transfer (costs 1.5% of the amount).
Credit card fees and restrictions you should know
Most credit card issuers allow peer-to-peer transfers through Apple Pay, but some treat them as cash advances. A cash advance typically means a higher interest rate (often 25% or more) and an upfront fee of 3% to 5% of the amount. This makes sending money expensive if you carry a balance. Call your card issuer's customer service number on the back of your card and ask whether Apple Pay transfers count as cash advances.
Some issuers block peer-to-peer transfers entirely for fraud prevention. If your transfer fails, your card issuer may have declined it. Try again with a different payment method — a debit card or linked bank account usually works when a credit card doesn't.
Apple itself does not charge a fee when you send money from your credit card to someone else's Apple Cash account. However, if the recipient wants to move the money to their bank account when ready rather than waiting, Apple charges them 1.5% of the transfer amount. Standard transfers (one to three business days) are free.
What happens if the recipient doesn't have Apple Cash
If you send money to someone who doesn't have an Apple Cash account yet, the transfer sits in a pending state. They'll receive a notification asking them to set up Apple Cash. Once they do, the money lands in their account automatically. This usually happens within a few minutes of them activating the account.
If the recipient never sets up Apple Cash, the money returns to your credit card after 30 days. You'll see a refund in your account, though it may take a few business days to appear depending on your card issuer's processing time.
Daily and weekly limits on Apple Cash transfers
Apple sets a standard limit of $20,000 per transaction. However, your account may have lower daily or weekly limits depending on how long you've had Apple Cash and your transaction history. New accounts typically start with lower limits — sometimes as low as $500 per day — and the limits increase over time as you use the service without issues.
You can check your current limit by opening Wallet, tapping Apple Cash, scrolling down, and looking for "Send Money Limit" or "Daily Limit." If you need to send more than your limit allows, you can split the transfer into multiple transactions on different days, or wait for your limit to reset (usually at midnight Pacific Time for daily limits).
Troubleshooting common problems
If your transfer fails, the most common reasons are: your credit card issuer blocked it (call them to ask why), the recipient's contact information is incorrect or not in your contacts, or your two-factor authentication isn't set up. Check that the phone number or email you entered matches exactly what the recipient has on file with Apple.
If the money doesn't appear in the recipient's account after 15 minutes, ask them to close and reopen the Wallet app or restart their device. Sometimes the notification takes longer to process. If it still doesn't show after an hour, contact Apple Support through the Wallet app or visit support.apple.com.
If you see a message that your card is not supported, your issuer has blocked peer-to-peer transfers. Try a different payment method — a debit card or linked bank account. If you only have credit cards, contact your issuer and ask them to allow Apple Pay transfers, or use a different money transfer service like Venmo or PayPal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Apple Pay charge a fee to send money with a credit card?
Apple does not charge you a fee to send money from your credit card. However, your credit card issuer may treat the transfer as a cash advance and charge a fee of 3% to 5% plus a higher interest rate. Call your card issuer to confirm whether Apple Pay transfers are treated as regular purchases or cash advances.
Can I send money to someone who doesn't have an iPhone?
No. Apple Cash transfers only work between people with Apple devices and active Apple Cash accounts. If you need to send money to someone with an Android phone or no smartphone, use Venmo, PayPal, or a bank transfer instead.
How long does it take for the money to arrive?
Money sent through Apple Pay appears in the recipient's Apple Cash account within minutes, usually less than five. If the recipient then transfers it to their bank account, a standard transfer takes one to three business days. An when ready transfer (which costs 1.5%) is available when ready.
What if I send money to the wrong person by mistake?
Once you send money through Apple Cash, you cannot cancel it yourself. Contact Apple Support when ready through the Wallet app and explain the mistake. Apple may be able to reverse the transfer if the recipient hasn't moved the money yet, but there is no may provide. Always double-check the recipient's name and contact information before you confirm.
Can I use a business credit card to send money through Apple Pay?
Most business credit cards work with Apple Pay, but peer-to-peer transfers may be blocked or treated as cash advances. Check with your card issuer's business support line. Some issuers restrict personal money transfers on business accounts for accounting and compliance reasons.