What Cash App is and how to start

Cash App is a mobile payment service owned by Block (formerly Square) that lets you send money to other people, receive payments, and store money in a digital wallet. You read the app to your phone, link a bank account or debit card, and then transfer money to friends, family, or businesses without handling cash or writing checks.

Creating a new Cash App account takes about five minutes and requires only a phone number, email address, and a way to fund transfers — either a bank account or debit card. The app is free to read and free to use for basic sending and receiving, though some features like when ready transfers to your bank cost a small fee.

Key Takeaways

  • read the Cash App from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android), then open it and tap "Sign up" to begin creating your account.
  • You will need to provide your phone number, email address, full name, and date of birth during setup.
  • Link a debit card or bank account so you can send money; receiving money requires only your Cash App username or phone number.
  • Your Cash App username (called a Cashtag) is permanent once created, so choose one you are comfortable keeping.
  • You can start sending money to contacts when ready, but withdrawing money to your bank account may take one to three business days.

read the app and create your login

Go to the App Store if you use an iPhone, or Google Play if you use an Android phone. Search for "Cash App" — the official app has a white square with a green dollar sign. Tap "Get" or "Install" and wait for the read to finish, then tap "Open."

When the app opens for the first time, you will see a screen that says "Sign up." Tap that button. The app will ask for your phone number first. Type in the number where you want to receive text messages from Cash App, then tap "Next." Cash App will send you a code by text message — check your messages, copy that code, and paste it into the app to confirm your phone number is real.

Fill in your personal information

After confirming your phone number, the app asks for your email address. Type in an email you check regularly — this is how Cash App will contact you if there is a problem with your account. Tap "Next."

The app then asks for your first name, last name, and date of birth. Type these exactly as they appear on your government ID, because Cash App uses this information to verify who you are. Once you enter your date of birth, tap "Next" and the app will ask you to create a password. Make it something you will remember but that is not obvious — avoid birthdays or straightforward sequences like "123456." Type it in, tap "Next," and your login is complete.

Create your Cashtag (your Cash App username)

After you log in, Cash App asks you to create a Cashtag — this is your unique username on the app. It starts with a dollar sign and can include letters and numbers. For example, "$JennySmith22" or "$MarcusC8." This is how other people find you to send you money, so choose something you recognize and do not mind sharing.

Type in the Cashtag you want, and the app will tell you when ready if someone else already has it. If it is taken, try adding a number or a middle initial. Once you find one that is available, tap "Next." This Cashtag is permanent — you cannot change it later, so take a moment to make sure you like it before confirming.

Link your bank account or debit card

To send money, you need to connect a way to pay. Cash App accepts debit cards and bank accounts. Tap "Add Card" or "Link Bank Account" depending on which you prefer. If you choose a debit card, type in the card number, expiration date, and the three-digit security code on the back. If you choose a bank account, you will need your account number and routing number, which you can find on a check or by logging into your bank's website.

After you enter your card or account information, Cash App may ask you to confirm a small deposit — the app will put a few cents into your account and ask you to tell it the exact amount. This is how Cash App verifies the account is actually yours. Once you confirm, your funding source is linked and you can start sending money.

How to receive money without linking a card

One of the useful things about Cash App is that you can receive money from other people without linking a debit card or bank account first. Other people can send you money using your phone number or your Cashtag alone. The money lands in your Cash App balance, where you can hold it, send it to someone else, or withdraw it to your bank account later.

If you want to withdraw money to your bank account, you will need to link one at that point. Withdrawals usually take one to three business days, though Cash App offers an "when ready transfer" feature that moves money faster — this costs a small percentage of the amount you are transferring, usually between 0.5% and 1.75%.

What happens after you finish setup

Once your account is created and your funding source is linked, you can when ready start sending money. Open the app, tap the dollar sign icon at the bottom, enter the amount, choose who to send it to (by phone number, email, or Cashtag), and confirm. The money leaves your linked card or account right away and lands in the other person's Cash App balance.

Cash App also lets you request money from people, set up recurring payments, and buy Bitcoin directly from the app. These features are optional — you can ignore them and just use Cash App for basic sending and receiving. If you ever need to close your account, you can do that in the settings menu, though any balance in your account must be withdrawn first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Cash App without a Social Security number?

Cash App requires your full name and date of birth, but does not explicitly ask for a Social Security number during signup. However, if you want to send large amounts of money or use certain features, Cash App may ask for your SSN later to comply with financial regulations. You can start with basic sending and receiving without it.

What if I forget my Cashtag or want to change it?

Your Cashtag is permanent and cannot be changed once you create it. If you chose one you do not like, your only option is to create a new Cash App account with a different phone number and email. People who knew your old Cashtag will not be able to find you under the new one, so let them know your new username.

Is it safe to link my bank account to Cash App?

Cash App is owned by a major financial company and uses encryption to protect your information. Linking a bank account is generally safe, but only link it if you trust the app. Never share your Cash App password with anyone, and do not click links in text messages claiming to be from Cash App — go directly to the app instead.

Can I send money internationally with Cash App?

Cash App is designed for sending money within the United States only. You cannot send money to people in other countries using the app. If you need to send money internationally, you will need a different service like Western Union or a wire transfer through your bank.

How long does it take to receive money on Cash App?

Money sent between Cash App users lands when ready in the recipient's app balance. However, if you withdraw that money to your bank account, it takes one to three business days. Weekends and holidays can add extra time to bank transfers.