How Do I Use Venmo for the First Time and Get Started

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Laptop and smartphone display facilitating online shopping using mobile payment technology.
Credit: pexels.com, Laptop and smartphone display facilitating online shopping using mobile payment technology.

To use Venmo for the first time, download the Venmo app from the App Store or Google Play Store. You'll need to create an account by providing some basic information, such as your name, email address, and phone number.

You'll also need to link a payment method, like a debit card or bank account, to fund your Venmo account. This allows you to send and receive money.

Sending and Receiving Money

You can send money to someone or request it from them by opening the Venmo app and tapping Pay/Request. This is the most convenient way to make a payment, as you can add Venmo users you know as friends.

To add a card to your Venmo account, go to Me > Wallet > Add bank or card in the mobile app. You can enter all of your card's data manually, or use your phone's camera to scan most of it automatically. There's a 3% fee if you use a credit card.

Credit: youtube.com, How to use Venmo - Send and Receive Money

You can handle multiple transfers at once by going to one person's profile, tapping the plus icon, then repeating the process until everyone is included. Tap Next, then enter a dollar amount and note before choosing Pay or Request.

To make a payment, follow these steps: open the Venmo app, select the payment icon, choose a recipient, input the amount, add a note, and submit by tapping the 'Pay' button.

Venmo transactions can be completed in a few taps, and you can even use a QR code to make a payment face-to-face. Just open the code scanner in the Venmo app, point it at the other person's code, and you're done.

Here's a quick summary of how to send money on Venmo:

  • Open the Venmo app
  • Select the payment icon
  • Choose a recipient
  • Input the amount
  • Add a note
  • Tap Pay or Request

Note: You can only choose a single dollar value for a group transaction, so you'll have to use separate transfers if people are sending or giving different amounts.

Payment Options

Using Venmo for the first time can be a bit confusing, but don't worry, it's easy to get started.

Credit: youtube.com, Venmo Full Tutorial for Beginners

You can link a debit card, credit card, or bank account to your Venmo account to fund your transactions.

If you're sending money and your Venmo balance is empty, the app will pull from the linked account to cover the purchase.

You can also use the Venmo balance you've deposited into your account to pay someone directly, without having to link another account.

Create Your

To start using Venmo for the first time, you need to create an account. You can download the Venmo app from the Google Play Store and open it to get started. Tap the Create account button to begin the process.

You'll be asked to select whether you want to create a personal or business account. Most people will choose a personal account, but you can create a separate business account later if needed.

To create a personal account, enter the phone number you want to use for your Venmo account and tap the Send code button to receive a text message on your phone. Enter the four-digit code and tap the Confirm it button to continue.

Credit: youtube.com, How To Sign Up for Venmo - How To Use Venmo (2022)

You'll need to accept the user agreement terms and add a debit card to complete the final steps of the account setup process. You can also add your contacts or skip this step if you prefer.

Here's a step-by-step guide to creating your Venmo account:

  1. Download the Venmo app from the Google Play Store.
  2. Open the Venmo app and tap the Create account button.
  3. Select Personal or Business and tap the Get started button.
  4. Enter the phone number you want to use for your Venmo account.
  5. Tap the Send code button to receive a text message on your phone.
  6. Enter the four-digit code and tap the Confirm it button.

By following these steps, you'll be able to create your Venmo account and start using the app to send and receive money.

Using Venmo

To get started with Venmo, you'll need to download the app for Android or iPhone and create an account. The service is US-only, and you'll need a US bank account to use it.

First, you'll need to add a payment method to your Venmo account. You can do this by going to Me > Wallet > Add bank or card in the mobile app. You can enter your card's data manually or use your phone's camera to scan most of it automatically.

Credit: youtube.com, How to Send Money on Venmo: Everything You Need to Know

Venmo doesn't recommend adding money to your balance, as the only way to do it is with a Venmo Mastercard Debit Card. Instead, you can link a bank account, credit card, or debit card to your Venmo account, and Venmo will automatically pull money from it during a transfer.

To send money to someone or request it from them, open the Venmo app and tap Pay/Request. You can search for a user and add them to the transfer, and you can also handle multiple transfers at once by going to one person's profile and tapping the plus icon.

If you're interacting with someone face-to-face, you can use their Venmo Me QR code to connect with them. Open the code scanner in the Venmo app, point it at their code, and you'll be taken to their profile page.

Here are the basic steps to send money on Venmo:

  1. Open the Venmo app on your mobile device.
  2. Select the payment icon located at the top right of your screen.
  3. Choose a recipient for funds from your Venmo contacts list or add a recipient to the list.
  4. Input the amount you want to send.
  5. Add a note with the payment.
  6. Check that you're sending money from the desired account and submit by tapping the 'Pay' button.
  7. Confirm your payment.

You can also use Venmo's QR code scanner to send money quickly and easily. To do this, open the Venmo app, tap the code scanner icon, and point it at the QR code of the person you want to send money to.

Credit: youtube.com, How do i use venmo for the first time

Venmo can pull money from the balance you've deposited into your Venmo account, or from the debit card, credit card, or bank account you've linked to your Venmo account. This means you can use Venmo money to pay someone, as long as you have enough funds in your account.

To make your first payment transaction, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Venmo app on your phone.
  2. Tap the Get started button from the Home tab to make your first payment.
  3. Search for someone using their name, username, phone number, or email address.
  4. Enter the dollar amount you want to send or receive.
  5. Personalize your payment message with text and emojis.
  6. Tap Pay or Request, depending on the type of transaction.

Venmo Features

Venmo Features are easy to navigate, and understanding what they are will make your experience even smoother.

The Cards tab is where you can sign up for and manage a dedicated Venmo debit card from Mastercard for personal use.

You can disregard the Cards tab if you don't need or want a debit card. The Pay/Request tab is likely the most popular feature, allowing you to send or receive funds with other Venmo users.

The Crypto tab allows you to buy crypto from your Venmo account with just a few taps.

You can quickly track the current value of various popular currencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, from the Crypto tab.

PayPal Comparison

Credit: youtube.com, Venmo vs PayPal: Which is Better? (2025)

If you're considering using Venmo for the first time, you might be wondering how it compares to other payment services like PayPal. PayPal Comparison is a great way to determine which service is best for you.

PayPal offers a wide range of features, including sending and receiving money, making online purchases, and managing your account. It's a popular choice for online transactions.

One key difference between Venmo and PayPal is that PayPal has a more extensive network of users and merchants. This means you can use PayPal to pay for more things online, including purchases from big retailers.

PayPal also offers a more extensive range of payment options, including credit cards and bank transfers. This can be helpful if you don't have a Venmo account or if you want to use a different payment method.

However, Venmo has a more social aspect, allowing you to link friends and family to make and receive payments. This can be a fun way to split bills or send money to loved ones.

Credit: youtube.com, Venmo vs PayPal Fees: How Do They Compare?

In terms of fees, PayPal charges a 2.9% fee for domestic transactions, plus a small transaction fee. This can add up, especially for larger transactions.

Venmo, on the other hand, charges a 3% fee for instant transfers to a bank account, but no fee for standard transfers. This can be a more cost-effective option for some users.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a bank account for Venmo?

No, you don't need a bank account to use Venmo, but alternative payment methods like credit or prepaid cards are available. We'll explore these options in more detail below.

Felicia Koss

Junior Writer

Felicia Koss is a rising star in the world of finance writing, with a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics into accessible, engaging pieces. Her articles have covered a range of topics, from retirement account loans to other financial matters that affect everyday people. With a focus on clarity and concision, Felicia's writing has helped readers make informed decisions about their financial futures.

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