Chime and Cash App are two non-traditional banking companies that have grown very popular, especially with the younger generations. Both companies offer low-fee banking solutions with sleek and user-friendly mobile apps.
If you wonder, “Does Chime work with Cash App?” the answer is a definite yes. You should have no problem using Cash App to send money to and from Chime.
What is Chime?
Every month, hundreds of thousands of new customers sign up to use Chime. With a total of 8 million customers considering Chime their primary bank, Chime is the fifth-largest bank in the country.
Chime has reached exponential growth by keeping things simple, having just three products offered: one checking account (with a debit card), one savings account, and one secured credit card. These three products are seamlessly wrapped into an attractive mobile app.
The banking services at Chime are delivered by Bancorp Bank, while Chime is the financial technology company designing the app. This is important to note because Bancorp carries FDIC and other protections by being a “real” bank.
The Downside of Chime: Pay Friends P2P
One of the downsides to Chime is its peer-to-peer payment system called “Pay Friends.” In order to use this system to send and receive payments, both parties must be Chime customers.
Friends and family entrenched deeply into traditional banks may be hesitant to set up a Chime account just to transfer a few bucks. Non-customers of Chime like to use the P2P system that comes with their traditional bank account (e.g., Zelle) or one of the many independent non-bank P2P servicers (e.g., Cash App).
This leaves Chime customers wondering how best to work with a friend who insists on using Cash App.
7 Steps to Set up a Cash App Account
The process for creating a Cash App account is straightforward — which is why so many folks like to use it.
1. Visit the Cash App website, or download their app for Android or iOS.
2. Enter your phone number or your email address, whichever you prefer to use as your login.
3. Chime will send you a text alert or email alert. Enter the code that appears on that message.
4. Click Skip when asked to enter your debit card information. You can link bank accounts after the setup is complete. This article provides more information below on linking your Chime account to Cash App.
5. Enter your full name.
6. Think of a Cashtag you would like to use. This is the identifier others will use when they want to send you money. Cashtags must be between 1 and 20 characters long. Cashtags must be unique, so it may take you a couple of tries to find a tag that is not already in use.
7. Enter your zip code.
That’s it. You should be able to log in now to the site and mobile app.
Related: How to Connect Venmo to Chime
How to Link a Chime Debit Card to Cash App?
Chime customers are unable to send money through the Chime Pay Friends service unless the recipient is also a Chime customer. So many Chime customers find themselves still using a third-party peer-to-peer service such as Cash App.
Follow these steps to link your Chime and Cash App accounts together using a Chime Debit Card. This tutorial will assume you are using the Cash App mobile application.
Note: We recommend linking to Chime via debit card and not by bank (using Chime routing and account numbers) because transfers in and out using a debit card are instant. Transferring via bank link can take up to 5 business days.
1. Open Cash App and log in. You should now be looking at the bright green home screen.
2. In the bottom left corner, click the bank icon (it looks like a house). This will bring you to the Banking screen.
3. Scroll to the bottom and click Linked Banks
4. Select Link Debit Card.
5. Now enter your Chime debit card information (number, CVV, expiration, etc.)
That’s it. Your Chime account should now be linked to your Cash App account.
We suggest testing this connection by pulling $1 in from your Chime account to Cash App (hit the Add Cash button). Once successful, send the $1 back from Cash App into Chime (hit the Cash Out button).
Related: Transferring from Venmo to Apple Pay
How to Transfer Money from Chime to Cash App without a Debit Card?
If you are a Chime customer and friends or family want you to send them money via Cash App, you will need to link your Chime and Cash App accounts together.
Follow these steps to link your Chime and Cash App accounts together without using a Chime debit card. This tutorial will assume you are using the Cash App mobile application.
Note: We recommend linking to Chime via debit card and not by bank (using Chime routing and account numbers) because transfers in and out using a debit card are instant. Transferring via bank link can take up to 5 business days.
1. Open Cash App and log in. You should now be looking at the bright green home screen.
2. In the bottom left corner, click the bank icon (it looks like a house). This will bring you to the Banking screen.
3. Scroll to the bottom and click Linked Banks
4. Select Link Bank.
5. You will now be asked to enter your Chime routing number and Chime account number.
In case you are wondering: How do you find your Chime routing and account numbers?
A. Log in to your Chime Account via the Chime mobile app.
B. Go to the Move Money section, then select Direct Deposit.
C. The Routing Number and Spending Account Number will be listed
That’s it. Your Chime account should now be linked to your Cash App account.
We suggest testing this connection by pulling $1 in from your Chime account to Cash App (hit the Add Cash button). Once successful, send the $1 back from Cash App into Chime (hit the Cash Out button).
Related: Is Chime Better Than SoFi?
How long does it take to transfer money from Chime to Cash App?
With your Chime and Cash App accounts now linked, you may be wondering how long it takes for the money to move from Chime into Cash App. The answer depends on whether you have linked your accounts via debit card or via bank link (routing and account numbers).
If linked via debit card: Transfers into Cash App are practically instant.
If linked via bank account: Transfers into Cash App take up to 5 business days.
Given the above, it is obviously better to link via debit card as the transfers of money into Cash App are super fast.
How long does it take to transfer money from Cash App to Chime?
If you have cash sitting inside Cash App, you may be wondering how you can withdraw that money and get the cashback over to your Chime account. The answer depends on whether you have linked your accounts via debit card or via bank link (routing and account numbers).
If linked via debit card: You will be given two options. Pay a 1.5% fee for an instant transfer or choose the free option that takes 1-3 business days.
If linked via bank account: Instant transfer is not an option. You will need to wait 1-3 business days for the transfer to appear in your Chime account.
Given the above, it is obviously better to link via debit card as the transfers of money out of Cash App are super fast if you are willing to pay the 1.5% fee.
Related: Varo to Cash App Money Transfer
What is Cash App to Chime Instant Transfer?
If you have a balance in your Cash App, you can transfer that money over to your Chime account.
If you linked your accounts via debit card, you would be given to transfer out options:
1. Instant Transfer takes just seconds for the transfer to occur, but you have to pay a 1.5% instant transfer fee.
Or
2. Standard transfer, which will take 1-3 business days for the transfer to occur, but is free.
If you linked your accounts via bank accounts, you would not have a 1.5% Instant Transfer option. The only option you have is the standard transfer of 1-3 business days.
Related: What Stores Can I Load My Cash App Card At?
What is the Chime to Cash App Transfer Dollar Limit?
If you are dealing with large dollar amounts, you should be aware of the transfer limits that exist inside Chime and inside Cash App.
Cash App limits: Transfer out up to $7,500 per week. Transfer in is unlimited.
Chime limits: Transfer out up to $2,500 per day. Transfer in is unlimited.
If you need to transfer sums larger than the above, you may need to split the transfers across multiple days.
Related: 500 Unique Cash App Names
Does Chime Credit Builder Work with Cash App?
Credit Builder is Chime’s secured credit card product. You can use the card just like any other credit card,
Yes, you can use this card in Cash App. When linking accounts, just choose the Link Credit Card option.
Please note that the instant transfer option from Cash App out to the Credit Builder credit card carries a 3% fee, as opposed to a 1.5% debit card fee. For this reason, it probably makes sense to only transfer money using your Chime debit card link.
Related: Does Chime Work with Zelle?
