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Cardless ATMs: How to use it and which banks use them

Use your phone to withdraw cash from ATMs when you don't have your debit card.

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By

Steven Dashiell

Edited by

Holly Jennings

Updated

Fact checked

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Although the US continues to trend toward a cashless society, 59% of consumers still make a few purchases a week in cash, according to a 2022 Pew Research Center study. To accommodate this transition, many banks now offer cardless ATMs, which allow you to withdraw money through secure apps installed on your mobile phone.

This is perfect for those who often forget or dislike carrying their debit or ATM card or want to limit the number of times they need to touch an ATM.

Key takeaways

  • A cardless ATM allows you to withdraw cash using your mobile device instead of a debit card.
  • These services are compatible with digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay and major banks like Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo offer cardless ATM access through their mobile apps.
  • Cardless ATM transactions may be limited by daily withdrawal amounts, and some banks allow sharing access for others to pick up cash.
  • Cardless ATMs offer convenience and security, but potential problems include limited availability, network reliance and fraud.
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What is a cardless ATM?

A cardless ATM accepts your mobile device in place of your debit card when managing your account withdrawals. But you can only withdraw money without a card from ATMs owned by your bank with a cardless cash or contactless feature. To access your money, you’ll need the bank’s app on your mobile device.

How you access your funds depends on each ATM, but they work through near-field communication, scanning a QR code, an app-generated code or biometric authentication. No matter the method, each offers a simple and fast way to withdraw cash without needing a debit card.

4 ways to connect to a cardless ATM

Depending on your bank’s ATM, connecting to it will work in one of these four ways:

  1. App-generated codes. If your bank’s ATM uses this technology, request a withdrawal from your mobile app and enter the code once you reach the ATM. The ATM then verifies your identity and authenticates your transaction.
  2. NFC. With this type of cardless ATM, tap your phone against the ATM’s contactless symbol, and your phone’s digital wallet pulls up. From there, select a card from your wallet and enter your PIN. Then, the ATM authenticates your transaction.
  3. QR codes. If your cardless ATM uses QR codes, the terminal displays a QR code on the ATM screen. Use your mobile app to scan this QR code. The bank then verifies your identity and allows you to log in.
  4. Biometric authentication. Some cardless ATMs scan your fingerprints or eyes to verify your identity and give you access to your account. To use this feature, you may need to visit a physical branch first.

How to use a cardless ATM

There are five different types of cardless ATMs, so it depends on which one you’re using.

1. Banks with cardless ATMs

Major US banks like Chase have started offering cardless ATMs that let you withdraw cash using near-field communication (NFC). These banks typically partner with the Mastercard or Visa cardless ATM network to offer this feature.

For example, with a Chase Total Checking account or Chase Secure Banking account, you can add your debit card to your mobile wallet. Then, tap your phone at the ATM to withdraw cash. Other banks let you schedule your withdrawal from their app.

How to withdraw money

  1. Download the bank’s mobile app.
  2. Schedule your withdrawal in the mobile app.
  3. Scan your QR code or enter your debit PIN at the ATM.

2. Apple Pay cardless ATMs

Apple Pay is accepted at most cardless ATMs, including Wells Fargo, Chase and Bank of America. Apple Pay uses near-field communication (NFC) for cardless ATM access. To verify that an ATM is NFC-enabled, look for the contactless symbol.

How to withdraw money

  1. Open your Apple Pay Wallet.
  2. Select which card you want to use.
  3. Tap your phone against the contactless symbol.
  4. Enter your card’s PIN.

3. Google Pay cardless ATMs

Google Pay works the same as Apple Pay. Withdraw money at any ATM that has the contactless symbol.

How to withdraw money

  1. Open your Google Pay Wallet.
  2. Choose the card you wish to use.
  3. Tap your phone against the contactless symbol and enter your PIN.

4. CashTapp cardless ATMs

Select Capital One 360 Checking customers can withdraw money at any cardless ATM with a CashTapp sticker. Use the ATM finder in the CashTapp app to find a cardless ATM near you.

How to withdraw money

  1. Enter the amount you wish to withdraw into the CashTapp app.
  2. Move your phone near the CashTapp sticker on the ATM until it’s securely connected.
  3. Follow the prompts on your phone to verify your transaction and get your money.

5. Paydiant cardless ATMs

Many small banks offer cardless ATM access to customers through Paydiant, which PayPal owns. Paydiant has over 72,000 ATM locations across the US. It uses an app-generated QR code to grant you cardless ATM access.

How to withdraw money

  1. Open your mobile banking app and locate a cardless ATM near you.
  2. Request your withdrawal.
  3. Choose the Mobile Cash Access option on the ATM.
  4. Use your phone to scan the QR code on the ATM’s screen.
  5. Grab your cash from the ATM.

Banks that use cardless ATMs

As this feature becomes more common in the US, it’s important to compare your options and consider features related to cardless ATMs.

BankAppOSCompatible accountsSecurity features
Bank of AmericaGoogle PayAndroid iconConsumer debit cards, U.S. trust debit cards, small business debit cards (owner card only)PIN
BMOBMO Digital Banking AppAndroid iconApple iconBMO debit cardsScan QR code on your phone once you arrive at the ATM
Wells FargoWells Fargo Mobile – Card-Free AccessAndroid iconApple iconWells Fargo debit and Wells Fargo EasyPay cardsPIN/ATM Access Code
ChaseApple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay mobile walletAndroid iconApple iconWindows iconConsumer debit cards (excluding CPC Privileges card), business debit cards (excluding Business Associate cards) and Chase Liquid cardsPIN
Capital OneCashTappAndroid iconApple icon360 Checking accountNone. Once you’ve scheduled your withdrawal, head to the ATM and sign in to CashTapp. Then, move your phone close to the ATM’s CashTapp sticker.
Fifth Third BankFifth Third mobile banking appAndroid iconApple iconN/APIN
PNC BankPNC Mobile appAndroid iconApple iconAll active PNC debit and banking cards are eligible for card-free ATM accessEnter a one-time eight-digit access code generated by the app, then enter your PIN

Are there limits on cardless cash withdrawals?

There may be limits on how much money you can withdraw daily from your account, but this varies between accounts and banks. Check your bank’s account disclosure for your cash withdrawal limit.

Can someone else pick up my cash from a cardless ATM?

Some banks may offer a sharing option where someone else can pick up your cash. Check with your bank to see if this is an option. Sometimes, you must provide the app with the appropriate person’s mobile phone number.

If you share a joint account with someone, you should have equal access to withdrawals without additional fuss. Simply access the cardless cash withdrawal like usual.

Compare checking accounts with cardless ATM access

Narrow down checking accounts from banks with cardless ATMs by monthly fees and minimum opening deposits. Select Compare on up to four accounts to see their features side by side.

1 - 4 of 4
Name Product USFSA-CHK Fee Minimum deposit to open Annual Percentage Yield (APY) Offer
Chase Total Checking®
Finder Score: 3 / 5: ★★★★★
Bonus
Chase Total Checking®
$12 per month
(can be waived)
$0
N/A
New Chase checking customers enjoy a $300 bonus when you open a Chase Total Checking® account and make direct deposits totaling $500 or more within 90 days of coupon enrollment.
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Chase Secure Banking℠
Finder Score: 4.2 / 5: ★★★★★
Bonus
Chase Secure Banking℠
$4.95 per month
$0
N/A
New Chase checking customers enjoy a $100 bonus, when you open a new Chase Secure Banking account and complete 10 qualifying transactions within 60 days of coupon enrolment.
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Chase Private Client Checking℠
Finder Score: 3.9 / 5: ★★★★★
Bonus
Chase Private Client Checking℠
$35 per month
(can be waived)
$150,000
0.01%
Enjoy up to a $3,000 welcome bonus. Open a new Chase Private Client Checking℠ account; earn $1,000 when you deposit $150,000, $2,000 when you deposit $250,000 or $3,000 when you deposit $500,000 in qualifying new money within 45 days of joining and maintain the balance for at least 90 days.
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Chase Business Complete Banking®
Finder Score: 3.8 / 5: ★★★★★
Bonus
Chase Business Complete Banking®
$15 per month
(can be waived)
$0
N/A
Earn $300 when you open a new Chase Business Complete Checking® account. For new Chase business checking customers with qualifying activities.
Go to siteView details
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Pros and cons of using a cardless ATM

Consider these benefits and drawbacks when using an ATM.

Benefits

  • Travel light. Leave your debit card at home and access your money through your phone at an ATM.
  • Share with family. Give family members limited access to the account when needed by adding them to your bank’s app.
  • No additional costs. There’s no added cost to use it, as the app works the same as a debit card when withdrawing money.
  • Increased security. Your cardless ATM verification code expires after a set time and is for one use only.

Drawbacks

  • Limited availability. Only select banks in the US offer cardless ATMs, so your current bank might not support it.
  • Relies on ATM’s network. If the ATM network is down, you can’t use the code to withdraw money.
  • Cardless ATM fraud. If someone obtains your bank’s login credentials and PIN, they can connect your account to their phone and withdraw money.

Security tips when withdrawing cardless cash

Despite the safety measures of cardless ATMs, you should still know how to protect your money when grabbing cash.

  • Protect your online banking details. Never share the password to your online bank account. With your login credentials, anyone can access your account and withdraw funds without your consent.
  • Monitor suspicious transactions. Although banks take precautions to protect your information, there’s always the possibility of a hack. If you notice unauthorized withdrawals from your account, notify your bank immediately.
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To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Holly Jennings as part of our fact-checking process.
Steven Dashiell's headshot
Senior writer

Steven Dashiell is an editor for Bankrate and CreditCards.com and formally a personal finance writer at Finder, specializing in credit cards, banking and growing and protecting your income. His insights and expertise has been featured on Nasdaq, U.S. News & World Report, Time, CBS, ABC, Fox Business, Lifehacker and Martha Stewart Living, among other top media. Steve holds a BA in English from University of Maryland, Baltimore County, minoring in composition and rhetoric. In his spare time Steve nerds out on birds, paints and plays a whole lot of Street Fighter. See full bio

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6 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    RobertMarch 5, 2019

    What is the name of the app so I can do cardless cash?

      AvatarFinder
      JhezelynMarch 6, 2019Finder

      Hi Robert,

      Thank you for your comment.

      The cardless cash feature can be retrieved from your bank’s app. For example, your bank is Commbank, you need to download a Commbank app and click Cardless Cash icon (if available) to start using this feature.

      Regards,
      Jhezelyn

    Default Gravatar
    DezaneOctober 13, 2018

    Where are the cardless ATM machines in Tennessee?

      AvatarFinder
      JhezelynOctober 16, 2018Finder

      Hello Dezane,

      Thank you for your comment.

      Please note that cardless cash works by providing you with a unique code that you use to enter into an ATM to withdraw cash when you don’t have your card. Basically, almost all ATM’s in TN can let you withdraw cash in it if you’ll use cardless cash.

      Should you wish to have real-time answers to your questions, try our chat box on the lower right corner of our page.

      Regards,
      Jhezelyn

    Default Gravatar
    JuanitaSeptember 4, 2018

    Can government beneficial prepaids have access to atm with out the actual card on emergency

      AvatarFinder
      CharisseSeptember 5, 2018Finder

      Hi Juanita,

      If you are referring to Direct Express government prepaid card, as of this time it does not have the feature that will allow you to withdraw money from the ATM without using your card. The service that Direct Express has is the Cardless Benefit Access which will allow the cardholders to get up to $1,000 from the available funds in their account without using the card. Funds are issued via money order however there is a fee for the service which ranges from $8.50 to $12.00 based on amount requested.

      You can also confirm this information by contacting Direct Express directly.

      Hope this helps.

      Cheers,
      Charisse

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