What You Need Before You Start
Splitting a bill through Apple Wallet relies on Apple Cash, the digital payment card stored inside the Wallet app. Before you can send or request money, a few conditions must be met.
- An iPhone with iOS 15.1 or later installed. Earlier versions support Apple Cash, but the Messages-integrated split feature works best on newer software.
- Apple Cash set up and activated in the Wallet app. This requires verifying your identity with Apple.
- A supported debit or prepaid card linked to Apple Cash to fund payments. Credit cards cannot be used to send money through Apple Cash.
- The person you are splitting with must also have Apple Cash enabled on their iPhone. If they do not, they will receive an invitation to set it up when you send a request.
- Both parties must be using iMessage. Apple Cash payments are sent through the Messages app, so a standard SMS conversation will not work.
If you have never used Apple Cash before, open the Wallet app, tap the Apple Cash card, and follow the on-screen setup instructions. You will be asked to enter your personal details and agree to the terms. Identity verification usually completes within a few minutes.
How to Split a Bill Using Apple Cash in Messages
The most straightforward method is to send or request money directly inside an iMessage conversation. This approach works well when you are with the person or group you need to split with, because the entire transaction stays inside your chat.
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Open the Messages app and start a new conversation or open an existing iMessage thread with the person you want to split with. Make sure the chat bubbles are blue, which indicates an iMessage conversation. Green bubbles will not work for Apple Cash payments.
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Tap the Apps button (the letter “A” inside a circle next to the text field). If you do not see it, tap the camera or App Store icon, then look for the Apps button.
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Tap the Apple Cash icon. If it does not appear in the app drawer, tap the App Store icon (or the plus icon) to add it from the list of available iMessage apps.
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Enter the amount you want to request or send. Use the keypad to type the dollar figure. For a split bill, you would typically enter the amount each person owes.
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Choose either Request or Pay. Request sends an invoice asking the other person to send money to you. Pay sends money immediately from your Apple Cash balance or linked debit card.
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Tap the send button. If you selected Request, the other person will see a message with the amount and a prompt to pay. They tap the notification, confirm the payment with Face ID, Touch ID, or their passcode, and the money arrives in your Apple Cash balance.
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If you selected Pay, authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode. The money is deducted from your Apple Cash balance or charged to the debit card linked to Apple Cash, and the recipient receives it in their Apple Cash balance.
For group bills, such as a dinner with several friends, you can send individual requests to each person by repeating the process in separate iMessage threads. Apple does not currently offer a native group split feature that divides a total among multiple people automatically, so you will need to calculate each share manually and send individual requests.
How to Request or Send Money Directly in the Wallet App
You can also use the Wallet app itself to send or request money without starting from Messages. This method is useful if you already know the recipient’s phone number or email and do not need the context of a conversation.
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Open the Wallet app on your iPhone.
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Tap the Apple Cash card.
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Tap Send or Request.
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Enter the amount. Use the keypad to type the figure.
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Enter the recipient’s phone number or email address. You can also tap the plus button to choose a contact from your address book.
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Select Request or Pay, then confirm the action with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode.
The recipient receives a notification through Messages, and the transaction proceeds the same way as if you had started from the chat.
Important Considerations When Splitting Bills
Apple Cash transactions are free when you use a debit card or your Apple Cash balance to send money. If you fund a payment with a credit card, Apple charges a 3% fee. For bill splitting, it is best to use a debit card or keep a balance in Apple Cash to avoid additional costs.
Money you receive through Apple Cash is stored in your Apple Cash card inside Wallet. You can use that balance to send money to others, make purchases with Apple Pay where contactless payments are accepted, or transfer it to your linked bank account. Transfers to a bank account are free if you use the standard option, which takes one to three business days. Instant transfers to a debit card incur a small fee.
Splitting a bill works only between Apple Cash users in the United States. Apple Cash is available only to US residents with a valid US address and a compatible iPhone. If you are traveling abroad or dealing with someone outside the US, you will need to use a different service.
There are daily and weekly limits on how much you can send and receive through Apple Cash. These limits vary depending on your verification status. You can check your current limits inside the Wallet app by tapping your Apple Cash card and looking under the card details.
If the Other Person Does Not Have Apple Cash
When you send a request to someone who has not set up Apple Cash, they will receive a message inviting them to enroll. The process takes only a few minutes. They need to open the Wallet app, add the Apple Cash card, verify their identity, and accept the terms. Once they complete the setup, the pending request becomes available and they can pay you.
If the person prefers not to use Apple Cash, you will need to use a different method entirely. Apple Wallet does not support Venmo, PayPal, or other payment services directly. Those apps must be installed separately and used outside of Wallet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I split a bill with someone who uses an Android phone?
No. Apple Cash is exclusive to Apple devices and requires an iPhone with iMessage. You cannot send or request money through Apple Wallet to someone using an Android phone. You would need to use a third-party app such as Venmo, PayPal, or Zelle for cross-platform splitting.
Is there a way to split a bill automatically among multiple people?
Apple Cash does not have a built-in group split calculator. You must calculate each person’s share yourself and send individual requests. Some third-party apps integrate with Apple Wallet indirectly, but Messages and the Wallet app themselves do not divide a total automatically.
How long does it take for the money to arrive?
When a request is paid, the money appears in the recipient’s Apple Cash balance immediately. If the recipient needs to transfer the money to their bank account, standard transfers take one to three business days. Instant transfers to an eligible debit card are available for a small fee.
What if I accidentally send the wrong amount?
You can request the difference from the other person using the same process. Apple does not offer a built-in cancel or recall feature for completed payments. If the other person agrees to return the money, they can send it back to you through Apple Cash.
Do I need a bank account to use Apple Cash?
You do not need a bank account to receive money. Received funds stay in your Apple Cash balance, and you can use that balance to send money to others or make purchases with Apple Pay. To withdraw money to a bank account, you must add a supported bank account or debit card in the Wallet app.
Conclusion
Splitting a bill with Apple Wallet on an iPhone is done through Apple Cash, which is integrated with Messages and the Wallet app. You send or request money directly in an iMessage conversation or through the Apple Cash card in Wallet. The process is simple, requires no extra fees when using a debit card, and the money transfers instantly between Apple Cash users. For group settings, you will need to calculate each share and send individual requests, since Apple does not offer automatic group division. If the other person does not have Apple Cash, they can set it up quickly, or you will need to use an alternative payment method.
