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How to Accept Pending Cash App Payments: Step-by-Step Guide

Panna Kemenes

30.01.25

Read time 5 minutes

Cash App, formerly known as Square Cash, is a digital wallet service run by Block with over 57 million monthly active users in 2024.¹

Cash App is one of the most popular platforms for mobile payments. Accepting Cash App payments opens up opportunities for small businesses to cater to a broader customer base.

While Cash App is simple to use, there can occasionally be issues with receiving a payment, such as the app showing a payment as pending. This Cash App guide takes you through the steps to accept pending payments, explains why transactions might be pending, and shares tips to resolve issues efficiently.

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How to Accept Pending Cash App Payments. Step-by-Step Guide

If you have a Cash App for Business account, you can set your account to manual payment approval. As a first step, check whether you have this setting enabled, as you’ll need to manually accept and approve payments.

You should also make sure that your account is activated and the customer has the correct payment details. If you have sent the customer a payment request or invoice, check whether they have approved the request.

How to Check the Payment Status for Cash App Payments

To determine whether a payment is pending, follow these steps:

Open Cash App on your device.
On the home screen, tap on the “Activity” tab.
Locate the payment marked as “Pending”.
Tap on the payment to check the status.

How to Accept Cash App Payments in the App

To accept a pending payment in Cash App:

Open the app and select the notification icon on the top left.
Select the pending payment.
Tap “Accept”.

Once you have accepted the payment, the status should change from pending to completed.

How Long Will My Cash App Payment Be Pending?

If you have a pending payment, make sure you accept it within 24 hours. Otherwise, it will be automatically canceled and the status will change to “failed”. The funds will be returned to the sender’s account.²

Once you resolve pending payments, they should process within 1-3 business days.

Understanding Pending Payments on Cash App

Pending Cash App payments occur when a transaction has been started but hasn’t been completed. Understanding the reasons a payment may be pending can help you resolve the issue quickly.

Common Reasons for Pending Payments

There are several reasons why a payment may show as pending:

Cash App security may detect suspicious or unusual activity and hold the payment to protect users from fraud and scams.
Cash App blocks payments to high-risk businesses that are not permitted to use its service. This includes direct marketing or subscription offers, as well as telemarketers. Cash App also excludes adult entertainment and sales of firearms or age-restricted products.
You may have an outdated version of Cash App that needs to be updated through the Apple App Store or Google Pay Store.
A poor Internet connection may prevent Cash App from completing the payment.
The customer may have insufficient funds in their Cash App account, and will need to transfer funds to complete the payment.
Occasionally, Cash App may experience system issues that delay payments from completing.

How Pending Payments Work

Pending Cash App payments act as temporary holds on the customer’s funds. The money is not deducted from their account until you accept the transaction.

If the customer or business cancels a pending payment, the funds are released back to their Cash App balance or funding source. This can take a few business days.

Payments can remain pending state for an extended period, in which case you should contact Cash App for support.

Once a payment is no longer pending, it cannot be canceled or reversed, unless you refund the customer.

Troubleshooting Common Cash App Issues

Having problems receiving funds? There are several Cash App troubleshooting steps you can take to help ensure payments are completed.

Payment Errors

Check your Internet connection: Ensure that your device is connected to mobile data or WiFi. This is because the app needs an active Internet connection to complete transactions.
Check the service status: Cash App itself may not be working, so visit the status checker to see if there are any issues with the service.
Clear the app cache: Clearing the cache and data in the app can fix errors and get it working again.
Ensure your account is verified: If you have opened a new Cash App account, you need to follow all the prompts to verify your account. After that, you can receive payments.
Check your bank details: Make sure there are no typos in the banking information you entered in the app, such as your account and routing numbers. Even a small typo can cause failed payments.
Know your account limits: There is no limit on how much you can receive into a Cash App account. Keep in mind, that most accounts have a $25,000 Cash Out limit for a rolling 30-day period. Before you verify your identity, the limit is just $1,000 for a rolling 30-day period.³
Update or reinstall the app: Make sure you have the newest version of the app with the latest bug fixes. An outdated version could prevent you from receiving payments. If updating the app doesn’t resolve the issue, try uninstalling and reinstalling it on your device.
Check for multiple logins: You can’t log into the same account from multiple devices. You may need to sign out from another device to ensure that payments do not fail.
Change your Cash App PIN: If you’ve forgotten your PIN, you’ll need to reset it. Cash App blocks transactions and access after multiple failed attempts.
Contact your bank: Your bank may decline a transfer to or from Cash App if it doesn’t recognize your account. Contact your bank and provide you Cash App routing number to authorize transactions.

Contacting Support

If none of the Cash App tips above work, there are several options for contacting Cash App customer support for help with your specific issue. You can speak to a customer service representative through the app, the website at cash.app/help or over the phone.

To contact Cash App Support through the app, tap the profile icon on the home screen, select “Support” and then tap “Start a Chat” to send a message.

You can reach Cash Support over the phone on every day from 9am to 7pm ET.⁴

You can contact Cash App via its social media accounts. Remember not to post any confidential or sensitive information.

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	Author:
	Nicole is a professional journalist with two decades of experience in writing and editing, and she has run her own freelance business for the past five years. Her expertise spans the financial and technology industries, including payment processing and small business banking.

	Editor & Business Expert:
	Panna is an expert in US business finance, covering topics from invoicing to international expansion. She creates guides and reviews to help businesses save time and make informed decisions. You can read more useful business articles on her author profile.

Sources:

¹Investor Presentation
²Payment Pending
³Cash App Account Limits
⁴How to contact Cash Support

All sources checked January 2025.

*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.