Accessible through the Wallet app, the Apple Cash feature on your iPhone lets you exchange money with another person. I’ve used it several times when I needed to reimburse someone or request money from a friend or family member.
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In the past, you’d have to send a text message to transfer cash to a fellow iPhone user. But with iOS 18, there’s another option that works as long as the other person is with you. Thanks to the new Tap to Cash method, simply bring your iPhone next to the iPhone of the other person, and the money is sent.
Both phones must be running iOS 18. You also need to have enabled Apple Cash on both devices. Once set up, the process is quick and simple, at least most of the time. Here’s how it works.
How to use Tap to Cash to send money in iOS 18
Next, you’ll need to enable the option that allows the iPhones to exchange information when next to each other. For this, head to Settings, select General, tap AirDrop, and then turn on the switch for “Bringing Devices Together.” Make sure you do this on both the sending and receiving phones.
On the sending iPhone, launch the Wallet app and tap your Apple Cash card. Make sure you have enough funds in your balance to cover the amount you want to send. Tap the Send or Request button. At the Send or Request screen, tap the Tap to Cash icon.
Tap out the amount of money you wish to send. You can also add a note if desired. Tap Next. Double-click the side button to confirm the transaction. Make sure you authenticate the payment with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode. Place the top of your phone near the receiving iPhone.
A message on the sending phone advises you to stay near the recipient. The person on the receiving end taps the Accept button. A checkmark indicates that the money was deposited in their associated account.
The is the part of the process where I’ve run into hiccups. Sometimes, the two phones fail to talk to each other, leaving you stuck at the sending screen. If that happens, move the phones away from each other and try again. You may also have to cancel the process and kick if off once more. If all else fails, restart both phones and then try one more time, and the two phones should now play nice with each other.
Tap to Cash is a handy trick. But it allows you only to send money, not request it. If you need to request cash from another person, you can still use Apple Cash but you’ll have to contact the other person through a regular text message.
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