Welcome! You’re here to learn how to get a Cash App card, and we’re here to help you through every step. This process is easier than you might think. In this complete guide, we will give you a clear, step-by-step process that takes you from ordering your card to turning it on when it arrives. We will also share helpful tips to help you get the most value from your new card.
The Cash App Card, often called the Cash Card, is a free, customizable Visa debit card. It connects directly to your Cash App balance, letting you spend your money online and in stores, just like any other debit card. Let’s walk through how you can get one in your hands.
Get Your Card in 5 Minutes
For those who want the direct answer, here is the quick guide. This section is designed to immediately answer your main question: how do I get a cash app card? Follow these simple steps to complete your order in minutes.
The 7-Step Order Process
- Open Cash App: Launch the Cash App on your phone. From the main screen, tap the ‘Cash Card’ tab. This icon typically looks like a small card and is located on the bottom navigation bar.
- Press ‘Get Free Cash Card’: This large, prominent button is the main call to action. Tapping it begins the ordering process.
- Choose Your Design: You will first see the standard, free card options, which are usually black or white. You can also browse premium designs, though some of these may cost extra.
- Customize Your Card: Here, you can add a personal touch. The app allows you to draw or write a signature directly on your screen with your finger. This unique design will be laser-etched onto your physical card.
- Confirm Your Shipping Address: The app will display the mailing address it has on file for you. It is important to double-check this for accuracy to ensure your cash app card in mail arrives at the correct location without delay.
- Verify Your Identity: For legal reasons, you will be asked to confirm your full legal name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN). This is a standard identity verification step for financial products.
- Finalize Your Order: Once you’ve confirmed all the details, you will finalize the order. Your new cash app card is now officially on its way to you.
What is a Cash App Card?
Now that you know how to order one, let’s explore what the Cash App Card is and why it’s such a popular financial tool. Simply put, the Cash App debit card is a Visa debit card that connects directly to your Cash App balance, not a traditional bank account. This allows you to spend the money in your app anywhere Visa is accepted. Best of all, you can order a cash app card completely free of charge.
Key Features and Benefits
The card offers a unique set of features that make it different from other debit cards. We’ve found these to be the most compelling reasons to get one.
- Directly Spends Your Balance: There’s no need to transfer funds from Cash App to a bank before you can spend them. Your card uses your app balance instantly.
- Free to Order and Own: There are no fees to order the standard card and no monthly maintenance fees. This makes it easy to order cash app card online free.
- Customizable Designs: The ability to draw your own signature or a small emoji makes the card uniquely yours.
- Instant Discounts with Boosts: This is one of the card’s most powerful features. Boosts are instant discounts applied at checkout with select merchants, like coffee shops, restaurants, and retailers.
- ATM Withdrawals: You can use your card to withdraw cash from any ATM, just like a traditional debit card.
- Apple/Google Pay Compatible: For modern, contactless payments, you can easily add your Cash Card to your phone’s digital wallet.
Cash Card vs. Traditional Debit
To better understand its place in your wallet, here is how the Cash App Card compares to a typical debit card issued by a bank.
| Feature | Cash App Card | Traditional Bank Debit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Linked To | Your Cash App Balance | Your Bank Checking Account |
| Fees | No monthly fees. ATM fees apply but can be reimbursed. | May have monthly account fees, overdraft fees, and ATM fees. |
| Rewards | “Boosts” – Instant discounts at specific merchants. | Varies by bank; may offer points, miles, or cash back. |
| FDIC Insurance | Eligible balances stored with partner banks are FDIC insured. | Balances in checking accounts are typically FDIC insured up to $250,000. |
Detailed Ordering Guide
For those who prefer a more thorough walkthrough, this section expands on the quick guide. We will provide a foolproof, detailed tour through the ordering process, describing what you’ll see on screen to prevent any confusion. This will ensure you can order your cash app card online with confidence.
Before You Begin
Before starting the order, make sure you meet the eligibility requirements. Failing to meet these is the most common reason users run into issues. We’ve organized them into a simple checklist.
- [ ] Be at least 18 years old. Users aged 13-17 can get a card with a sponsored account authorized by a parent or guardian.
- [ ] Have a verified Cash App account. If you haven’t verified your identity yet, you will be prompted to do so during the order process.
- [ ] Have a valid U.S. mailing address where the card can be sent.
- [ ] Be ready to provide your full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security Number (SSN) as required by federal law for identity verification. This is a crucial step to know how to get cash app set up for a card.
Ordering With On-Screen Guidance
Drawing from our direct experience with the app, here is exactly what to expect at each stage.
- Finding the ‘Cash Card’ Tab: When you open Cash App, your main screen shows your balance and payment options. At the bottom of this screen is a row of icons. Look for the one that looks like a rectangular card. Tap it. This is your gateway to everything related to the Cash Card.
- Choosing Your Style: After you tap ‘Get Free Cash Card’, you’ll enter the design studio. The first options presented are the standard free black and white cash app cards. You can swipe left or right to see other options. Sometimes, limited-edition, glow-in-the-dark, or metal cards are available. Be aware that these premium or metal options typically have a one-time order fee, which will be clearly displayed.
- The Customization Screen: This is a unique feature we love. The app will show you a blank space on the card and invite you to ‘Tap to customize’. You can use your finger to draw a unique design or write your signature. This will be printed directly on your physical card. Our advice: Take your time to get it right! You can clear it and start over as many times as you like before confirming.
- Verifying Address and Identity: This step is critical. The app will ask you to confirm your mailing address. An error here is the single most common reason for a delay in receiving your card. After your address, you’ll be prompted to enter your legal name, date of birth, and SSN. This information is required by federal law (The Patriot Act) for all financial institutions to prevent fraud and money laundering. Cash App uses this information only to verify your identity.
Ordering Without a Bank Account
A frequent question we see is, “Can you order cash app card online without bank account information?” The answer is yes. You do not need to link a bank account to order or use the cash app cash card. The card spends the balance available within your Cash App. This balance can come from friends sending you money, payments for goods and services, or cash you deposit at participating retail locations like Walgreens or 7-Eleven. The card functions independently of any bank account.
After You Order
Once your order is complete, your work is done for now. The next phase involves waiting for the card to arrive and then activating it. Here’s what you can expect during this period.
Tracking Your Card’s Arrival
Patience is key. The physical cash app card in mail typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days after you place the order. It is sent via standard U.S. mail, so there is no formal tracking number like with a package.
However, the app does provide some helpful information. Inside the ‘Cash Card’ tab, you will often see an estimated arrival date. The app will also send you a notification once the card has been shipped. If more than 10 business days pass and your card hasn’t shown up, don’t worry. We cover what to do in the troubleshooting section below.
How to Activate Your New Card
Your new cash app card will arrive in a discrete paper mailer. For security, the card is inactive and cannot be used until you activate it. We recommend one of two easy methods to do this.
Method 1: Activating with the QR Code (Easiest)
This is the fastest and most common way to activate your card. The mailer your card is attached to will have a unique QR code printed on it.
- Open the Cash Card app interface by tapping the card icon.
- You should see an ‘Activate Cash Card’ notification. Tap it.
- The app will ask for permission to use your phone’s camera. Grant it.
- Simply point your camera at the QR code on the mailer. The app will scan it instantly.
- That’s it! Your card is now active and ready to use.
Method 2: Activating Without the QR Code (Manual)
If you accidentally threw away the mailer with the QR code, you can still activate your card.
- From the ‘Cash Card’ tab, tap the ‘Activate Cash Card’ prompt.
- When the camera view opens, look for an option like ‘Help’ or ‘Missing QR Code’ at the bottom of the screen. Tap it.
- The app will then give you an option to ‘Use CVV Instead’.
- Enter the 3-digit CVV number and the expiration date, which are both found on the back of your new cash app card.
- Your card will be activated and ready for use.
Maximizing Your Card
Getting the card is just the beginning. To truly get the most out of it, you need to understand its powerful features. This is how to use cash app card not just as a payment tool, but as a way to save money and manage your finances more effectively. This section provides the insights that turn a basic user into a power user.
Unlocking Savings with Boosts
Boosts are the card’s killer feature. They are instant discounts that apply automatically when you use your card at specific merchants. Think of them as digital coupons that you don’t have to clip.
- What are they? Boosts can be anything from “$1 off at any coffee shop” to “10% off your entire purchase at Starbucks” or “5% off at DoorDash.” The offers change regularly.
- How to use them: In the ‘Cash Card’ tab, you’ll see a section for Boosts. Tap it to see the available offers. Tap ‘Add’ on the one you want to use. Only one Boost can be active at a time, but you can swap them out as often as you like. When you pay with your card at the corresponding merchant, the discount is applied instantly.
Smart ATM Withdrawal Strategy
While the Cash Card is convenient, ATM fees can add up. Cash App typically charges a fee (currently $2.50) for each ATM withdrawal. On top of that, the ATM owner will likely charge their own separate fee.
However, there is a crucial tip for avoiding these fees. Cash App will reimburse all ATM fees (both their own and the ATM owner’s) for users who receive $300 or more in qualifying direct deposits into their Cash App each month. If you set up your paycheck or other government deposits to go to your Cash App, you can essentially use any ATM in the world for free. This is a massive value-add.
Using the Virtual Card
As soon as you successfully order your physical card, a virtual cash app card is created for you within the app. You don’t have to wait for the mail to arrive to start spending online.
- How to find it: Go to the ‘Cash Card’ tab and tap on the image of your card. You will see an option to view your card number, expiration date, and CVV.
- Benefits: The primary benefit is security. You can use these details for online shopping. If you’re concerned a website might not be secure, you can use the virtual card details. This is also helpful if you need to order cash app card online free with debit card details for another service or a free trial, as it keeps your primary card information separate.
Adding to Apple or Google Pay
For quick, tap-to-pay convenience in stores, add your Cash Card to your phone’s digital wallet.
- Go to the ‘Cash Card’ tab in Cash App.
- Tap the image of your card.
- Select the option ‘Add to Apple Pay’ or ‘Add to Google Pay’.
- Follow the on-screen prompts from your phone’s wallet app to complete the setup. It takes less than a minute.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with a simple process, things can sometimes go wrong. Based on our experience helping thousands of users, these are the most common problems people face when trying to order a card and, more importantly, how to solve them.
Problem: Button is Missing
You open the app, navigate to the ‘Cash Card’ tab, but the ‘Get Cash Card’ button is nowhere to be found.
- Solution: This almost always means your account has not been fully verified. Cash App requires identity verification to issue a card. To fix this, tap your profile icon in the top-right corner of the main screen. Scroll down and look for a ‘Verify Your Identity’ prompt. Follow the steps to provide your legal name, date of birth, and SSN. Once verified, return to the ‘Cash Card’ tab, and the order button should appear.
Problem: Card Hasn’t Arrived
You’ve waited patiently for two weeks, but your card is still not in your mailbox.
- Solution: First, double-check the shipping address you confirmed in the app. Go to the ‘Cash Card’ tab, tap the card image, and you should be able to review the address it was sent to. If the address is correct and it has been more than 14 business days, it’s time to report it. From that same screen, select an option like ‘Problem With Card’ or ‘Card Didn’t Arrive’. Follow the prompts to report it as lost in the mail. Cash App will disable the lost card and allow you to order a new one for free.
Problem: You Lost Your Card
You had your card, but now it’s lost or you suspect it was stolen.
- Solution: Act immediately. Open Cash App, go to the ‘Cash Card’ tab, and tap the image of your card. You will see a toggle to ‘Lock Card’. Enable this immediately. This instantly disables the card, preventing any fraudulent transactions. Once it’s locked, you can report it as lost or stolen from the same menu. This will permanently deactivate it. The app will then guide you on how to get a new cash app card for free. The process is nearly identical to ordering your first one.
Problem: Ordering for Someone Else
You want to help a friend or family member get a card.
- Solution: You cannot directly order cash app card for someone else from your own account. Each card must be tied to an individual, verified account holder. The correct method is for that person to create their own Cash App account and follow the steps in this guide. If you are a parent or guardian wanting to get a card for a teen aged 13-17, you can use the “sponsored account” feature. You authorize their account from your own, which then allows them to order a cash app card under your supervision.
Managing Your Cash Card
Once your card is active, the ‘Cash Card’ tab in the app becomes your command center. Here are a few essential management tasks you should know how to perform.
Essential Management Tasks
- Finding your PIN: Your card needs a PIN for ATM withdrawals and some debit purchases. You set this during activation. To view or change it, go to the ‘Cash Card’ tab, tap the card image, and select ‘View PIN’ or ‘Change PIN’.
- Adding Money: To use your card, you need funds in your Cash App. You can add money via a linked bank account, by receiving a direct deposit, or by depositing physical cash at a partner retailer.
- Viewing Statements: All of your card transactions are neatly listed in the app. You can view your complete transaction history in the ‘Activity’ tab or get monthly statements from the ‘Cash Card’ section.
- Locking Your Card: If you misplace your card but don’t think it’s permanently lost, use the ‘Lock Card’ toggle. This provides instant security. You can unlock it just as easily when you find it.
Conclusion: Card on its Way
You now have all the information you need. As we’ve shown, ordering a free cash app card is a quick and straightforward process that unlocks a world of convenience and savings. From the quick 7-step order process to activating your card and using advanced features like Boosts, you are fully equipped to make the most of this powerful financial tool. Your journey to smarter spending is just a few taps away.
