Download the app, verify your phone number, and link a bank account or debit card

Venmo is a mobile payment app owned by PayPal that lets you send money to friends and receive it from them using just a phone number or username. To get your free guide, download the Venmo app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, create an account with your email address, and verify your phone number by entering a code Venmo texts to you. After that, you add a payment method — either a bank account (which takes one to two business days to confirm) or a debit card (which works immediately). Once your payment method is linked, you can send money to anyone else on Venmo or request money from them.

The whole process takes about five minutes if you use a debit card, or closer to ten if you're linking a bank account and waiting for verification. You don't need a Venmo balance to send money — the app pulls from your linked bank account or card each time. If someone sends you money, it lands in your Venmo balance first, and you can then transfer it to your bank account (which takes one to three business days) or leave it there to spend on future transfers.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a smartphone, email address, phone number, and either a bank account or debit card to open a Venmo account.
  • Debit cards link instantly, but bank accounts require Venmo to verify two small deposits, which takes one to two business days.
  • Money you receive from others sits in your Venmo balance and must be transferred to your bank account if you want to withdraw it.
  • Venmo charges no fee to send money from a linked bank account or debit card, but charges 1% to send using a credit card.
  • Your transaction history is visible to other Venmo users by default, but you can change each payment to private when you send it.

What you need before you start

Have your phone, email address, and phone number ready. Venmo will text a verification code to your phone number, so it must be a number you can access right now. You'll also need either a bank account or a debit card — Venmo does not accept credit cards for initial setup, though you can add one later if you want (and pay a 1% fee to use it).

If you're linking a bank account, have your routing number and account number on hand. You can find these on a check, in your bank's app, or by calling your bank. If you're using a debit card, just have the card itself available. Venmo works with most U.S. banks and major debit card networks, but some smaller banks or credit unions may not be supported — you'll find out when you try to link.

Step-by-step: creating your account

Step 1: Download and open the app. Go to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, search for "Venmo," and tap the official Venmo app (made by PayPal). Install it and open it.

Step 2: Sign up with your email. Tap "Sign up" and enter your email address. Create a password — Venmo requires at least 8 characters, including uppercase, lowercase, and a number. Enter your first and last name as they appear on your bank account or ID.

Step 3: Verify your phone number. Enter your phone number. Venmo will text a six-digit code to that number. Open the text and enter the code in the app. If you don't receive it within a minute, tap "Resend code."

Step 4: Create your Venmo username. This is the name other people will use to find and send you money. It can be different from your real name. Usernames are public and permanent, so choose something you're comfortable with. Venmo will suggest options based on your name, or you can type your own. Check if it's available before confirming.

Step 5: Link your payment method. Tap "Add a payment method" and choose either "Bank account" or "Debit card." If you choose a bank account, enter your routing number and account number. If you choose a debit card, enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV. Venmo will ask for your billing address.

Step 6: Confirm your identity. Venmo will ask for your date of birth and the last four digits of your Social Security number. This is required by federal law to prevent fraud and money laundering.

Step 7: Wait for verification (bank account only). If you linked a bank account, Venmo deposits two small amounts (usually under $1 each) into your account within one to two business days. Check your bank account for these deposits, then return to the Venmo app and enter the amounts to confirm you own the account. Once confirmed, your bank account is active. If you linked a debit card, you're done — it's ready to use immediately.

How to send and request money

To send money, tap the "Pay" button at the bottom of the screen. Search for the person by their Venmo username, phone number, or email address. Enter the amount, add a note (like "dinner" or "rent"), and choose whether the payment should be public or private. By default, Venmo shows your transaction history to other users — the note and amount are visible. To keep it private, tap the privacy icon before you send. Then tap "Pay" to complete the transfer. The money comes from your linked bank account or debit card immediately.

To request money, tap the "Request" button. Search for the person, enter the amount, add a note, and set the privacy level. Tap "Request" to send them a notification. They'll see the request in their app and can pay you or decline. Once they pay, the money lands in your Venmo balance.

Money you receive stays in your Venmo balance by default. You can use it to send to others, or you can transfer it to your bank account. To transfer out, tap "Transfer to bank," choose your bank account, enter the amount, and confirm. Standard transfers take one to three business days. Instant transfers are also available for a small fee (usually 1% of the amount, with a minimum of 25 cents).

Fees and what they cover

Venmo charges no fee when you send money from a linked bank account or debit card. If you send using a credit card, Venmo charges 1% of the amount (minimum 25 cents). Receiving money is always free.

Transferring money from your Venmo balance to your bank account is free if you use standard transfer (one to three business days). Instant transfer costs 1% of the amount, with a 25-cent minimum. Some banks may charge their own fees for receiving transfers, though most do not.

If you use Venmo's credit line feature (which lets you borrow money to send immediately and pay it back later), interest and fees apply — Venmo will show you the cost before you use it.

Privacy and security settings

By default, your Venmo transaction history is visible to other Venmo users. Anyone can see who you sent money to, who sent you money, the amounts, and the notes you wrote. You can change this by tapping your profile icon, going to "Settings," and changing your privacy level to "Private" (only you see your history) or "Friends" (only your Venmo friends see it). You can also make individual payments private when you send them.

To protect your account, use a strong password, enable two-factor authentication (in Settings, under "Security"), and never share your login details. If you lose your phone, you can log into Venmo on another device and change your password to lock out anyone else. If you notice a payment you didn't make, report it to Venmo immediately through the app — tap the transaction, then "Report an issue."

What to do if verification fails or takes too long

If Venmo can't verify your bank account after two attempts, it will ask you to verify manually. Venmo will deposit two amounts into your account, and you'll need to enter those exact amounts in the app. This can take an extra two to three business days. If you're in a hurry, link a debit card instead — it verifies instantly.

If your identity verification fails (the check for your date of birth and Social Security number), Venmo will ask you to resubmit. Make sure the information matches your ID exactly. If it fails again, contact Venmo support through the app by tapping your profile, then "Help," then "Contact us." They can walk you through additional verification steps or ask for a photo of your ID.

If you're locked out of your account, tap "Trouble logging in?" on the login screen. Venmo will send a reset link to your email. If you don't receive it, check your spam folder or contact support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Venmo without a bank account?

No, you must link either a bank account or a debit card to send money. You can receive money without linking anything, but it will sit in your Venmo balance until you add a payment method to transfer it out.

What happens if I send money to the wrong person?

Contact the person immediately and ask them to refund you. Venmo does not reverse payments automatically. If they refuse, you can report the transaction to Venmo through the app, but Venmo cannot force a refund — it's treated as a peer-to-peer transfer, not a purchase. This is why it's important to double-check the username before you send.

Can I use Venmo internationally?

Venmo only works between users in the United States. You cannot send money to someone outside the U.S., and you cannot use Venmo if you're outside the country, even if you have a U.S. account.

How long does it take to receive money from someone?

When someone sends you money, it appears in your Venmo balance instantly. If you then transfer that money to your bank account, the transfer takes one to three business days (standard) or minutes (instant, with a 1% fee).

Is Venmo safe to use?

Venmo uses encryption to protect your data and is owned by PayPal, which has fraud protection systems in place. However, your transaction history is public by default, so anyone can see who you're sending money to. Set your privacy to "Private" if you want to hide your activity. Never share your login details, and report suspicious activity immediately.