Yes, you can use Apple Pay to send money with a credit card, but the process and limits depend on which app you choose

Apple Pay itself does not have a built-in person-to-person payment feature. Instead, you link a credit card to a third-party payment app that works through Apple Pay — most commonly Venmo, PayPal, or your bank's own payment service. When you initiate a payment through one of these apps using Apple Pay, you're authenticating the transaction with your face, fingerprint, or passcode, but the actual money movement happens through the app's system, not Apple's.

The key difference from paying in a store: sending money to another person requires that person to have an account with the same app you're using. You cannot send money through Apple Pay to someone who only has a phone number or email address, the way you might with a bank transfer.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple Pay does not send money directly between people; you need a payment app like Venmo, PayPal, or your bank's service that works with Apple Pay.
  • Most payment apps let you link a credit card, but some charge a fee (usually 1% to 3%) when you pay with credit instead of a debit card or bank account.
  • The recipient must have an account with the same app you use; you cannot send money to someone based only on their phone number or email.
  • Daily and monthly sending limits vary by app and by how long you have held your account; new accounts typically have lower limits.

Which apps let you send money through Apple Pay with a credit card

Venmo lets you link a credit card and send money through Apple Pay. Venmo charges a 1% fee (with a minimum of 25 cents) when you use a credit card, but charges nothing when you use a debit card or bank account. Your first transaction may take up to three business days to reach the recipient; later transactions usually arrive within one to two business days.

PayPal works similarly. You can link a credit card to your PayPal account and send money through Apple Pay. PayPal charges 1.75% plus 25 cents per transaction when you send money using a credit card. If you use your PayPal balance or a linked bank account instead, there is no fee for sending to another PayPal user.

Your bank's app may also work with Apple Pay for person-to-person payments. Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and many smaller banks have built their own payment features into their apps. These typically charge no fee regardless of whether you link a credit card, debit card, or bank account — but check your specific bank's terms, as policies vary. Some banks restrict person-to-person payments to debit cards only and do not allow credit cards for this purpose.

Square Cash (now called Cash App) does not currently support Apple Pay for sending money, though you can link a credit card to the app itself. Google Pay has similar limitations — it works for in-store payments but not for person-to-person transfers through Apple's interface.

How credit card fees work when sending money

Payment apps treat credit card transactions differently from debit card or bank account transactions because credit card companies charge the app a processing fee. The app passes some or all of that cost to you. Venmo's 1% fee and PayPal's 1.75% fee reflect this pass-through.

If you send $100 through Venmo using a credit card, you pay $1 in fees. Through PayPal, the same $100 costs you $1.75 plus 25 cents, totaling $2. If you used a debit card or bank account with Venmo instead, you would pay nothing. This makes credit cards the most expensive way to send money through these apps.

Some people use credit cards anyway because they want to earn rewards points or cash back on the transaction. If your credit card offers 2% cash back, paying a 1% Venmo fee still nets you 1% profit. Check your card's terms to confirm that person-to-person payments count toward rewards — some cards exclude them.

Daily and monthly limits for sending money

Payment apps set limits on how much you can send in a day or month, and these limits are usually lower for new accounts or accounts that have not been verified with a phone number, email, and identity information.

Venmo typically allows new users to send $299.99 per week once they have verified their identity. Established users can send up to $20,000 per transaction and $60,000 per week, though these limits can vary based on your account history and Venmo's internal assessment of your account.

PayPal sets limits based on your account age and verification status. New accounts may be limited to $500 per transaction. As your account ages and you complete more transactions, PayPal raises these limits. You can request a limit increase, but PayPal will review your account before approving it.

Bank apps vary widely. Some banks allow you to send $5,000 per day; others cap it at $500. Check your bank's app or call their customer service line to learn your specific limit.

How to send money through Apple Pay using a credit card

The exact steps depend on which app you use, but the general process is the same. Open the payment app on your iPhone or iPad, select the option to send money (usually labeled "Send," "Pay," or "Transfer"), enter the recipient's username or phone number, and enter the amount. When prompted to choose a payment method, select your linked credit card. Then authenticate the payment using Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode.

On an iPhone, you can also use Siri to initiate a payment in some apps. Say "Send $50 to [contact name] on Venmo," and Siri will open Venmo and prompt you to confirm the amount and recipient. You still need to authenticate with your face or fingerprint before the payment goes through.

If you are using your bank's app, the process may be slightly different. Some banks let you send money directly from your contacts list; others require you to enter a username or account number. Check your bank's help section or call their support line for step-by-step instructions specific to your bank.

What happens if the recipient does not have the app

If you try to send money to someone who does not have an account with the app you chose, the transaction will fail. You cannot complete the payment. This is different from sending money through your bank, where you can transfer funds to anyone with a bank account at any U.S. bank.

Before you send money, confirm that the recipient has an account with the app you plan to use. You can ask them directly, or in some apps you can search for their username or phone number to see if an account exists. If they do not have an account, they will need to download the app and sign up before you can send them money.

Security and fraud protection when using credit cards

When you send money through Apple Pay using a credit card, you get the security of both Apple's authentication system (Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode) and your credit card's fraud protection. If someone steals your phone and tries to send money, they cannot complete the transaction without unlocking your device and authenticating the payment.

If you dispute a transaction with your credit card company, the card issuer will investigate and may reverse the charge. However, once the money reaches the recipient's account, recovering it becomes more difficult. Most payment apps have their own dispute process, but they cannot force the recipient to return money if the recipient claims the payment was authorized. This is why it is important to send money only to people you trust.

Enable two-factor authentication on your payment app account for an extra layer of security. This requires you to enter a code sent to your phone or email whenever you log in from a new device, making it harder for someone to access your account even if they have your password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Apple Pay charge a fee for sending money with a credit card?

Apple Pay itself does not charge a fee. The payment app you use (Venmo, PayPal, or your bank) charges the fee. Venmo charges 1% when you use a credit card; PayPal charges 1.75% plus 25 cents. Your bank's app may charge nothing.

Can I send money to someone who does not have the same app?

No. The recipient must have an account with the same app you use. You cannot send money through Venmo to someone who only has PayPal, for example. Ask the recipient which app they use before you attempt to send money.

How long does it take for the money to arrive?

With Venmo, the first transaction may take up to three business days; later transactions usually arrive within one to two business days. PayPal typically delivers money within one to two business days. Bank apps vary; some deliver instantly, while others take one to two business days.

Will sending money through Apple Pay earn me credit card rewards?

Some credit cards count person-to-person payments toward rewards, and some do not. Check your card's terms or call the card issuer to confirm. If your card offers 2% cash back and counts these payments, you would earn 2% even after paying Venmo's 1% fee.

What if I accidentally send money to the wrong person?

Contact the payment app's support team immediately. If the recipient has not yet claimed or withdrawn the money, the app may be able to cancel the transaction. Once the money is in the recipient's account and they have withdrawn it, recovery is difficult and depends on whether the recipient is willing to return it.