What Facebook Payments lets you do
Facebook Payments is a way to send money to friends and family directly through Facebook Messenger or the main Facebook app. You can transfer funds between US bank accounts without leaving the app — no need to exchange cash, write a check, or use a separate money transfer service. The person you send to receives the money in their linked bank account.
Facebook Payments works only between people in the United States with valid bank accounts. You cannot use it to pay businesses, buy items on Marketplace, or send money internationally. The service is free — Facebook does not charge a fee to send or receive money, though your own bank might have its own policies about transfers.
Key Takeaways
- You need a US bank account, a valid ID, and a Facebook account in good standing to use Facebook Payments.
- Set up Facebook Payments by going to Settings in Messenger, selecting Payments, and linking your debit card or bank account.
- To send money, open a conversation with the person, tap the plus icon, select Payments, enter the amount, and confirm.
- Facebook holds your payment information separately from your profile and uses encryption to protect it during transfers.
- If a payment fails or you send money to the wrong person, contact Facebook Support through the app to report the issue.
Setting up your payment method
Before you can send or receive money, you need to link a bank account or debit card to your Facebook account. Open Messenger, tap your profile picture in the top left, scroll down to Payments, and tap it. Facebook will ask you to enter your full name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number — this is how Facebook verifies your identity.
Next, add your bank account or debit card. If you choose a bank account, you will enter your routing number and account number (found on the bottom left of your checks). If you use a debit card, enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV. Facebook encrypts this information and stores it separately from your profile data. Your bank details are not visible to other users.
After you submit your information, Facebook may place two small deposits (usually under $1 each) into your bank account within a few days. You will need to confirm the exact amounts in the Payments section to prove you own the account. This step prevents someone else from linking your bank account without permission.
How to send money to a friend
Open a conversation with the person you want to send money to in Messenger. Tap the plus icon (on Android) or the dollar sign icon (on iPhone), then select Payments. Enter the amount you want to send and add a note if you want — for example, "lunch money" or "half the rent." Review the details and tap Send.
The recipient will see the payment in their Messenger conversation with you and can accept or decline it. If they accept, the money goes directly to their linked bank account, usually within one to three business days. If they decline, the money returns to your account automatically.
You can also send money through the main Facebook app. Go to the person's profile, tap the three dots, select Send Money, and follow the same steps. The process is identical — the money still arrives in their bank account, not their Facebook wallet.
Receiving money and managing your account
When someone sends you money through Facebook Payments, you will get a notification in Messenger. You can accept the payment by tapping Accept, and the money will be deposited into your linked bank account within one to three business days. You do not have to do anything else — there is no Facebook wallet or balance to manage. The money goes straight to your bank.
To view your payment history, go to Settings in Messenger, tap Payments, and scroll to Recent Activity. You will see every payment you sent or received, the date, the amount, and the status (sent, pending, or declined). If you need to dispute a payment or report fraud, tap the payment and select Report a Problem.
You can remove your bank account or debit card from Facebook Payments at any time. Go to Settings, tap Payments, select your payment method, and tap Remove. Any pending payments will be cancelled, and you will not be able to send or receive money until you add a new payment method.
Security and what Facebook does with your information
Facebook uses encryption to protect your payment information while it travels between your phone and Facebook's servers. Your bank details are stored separately from your profile and are not shared with other users, advertisers, or third parties. Facebook does not use your payment history for targeted advertising.
That said, Facebook does keep records of your transactions for fraud prevention and to comply with US financial regulations. If you send or receive large amounts of money frequently, Facebook may flag the activity and ask you to verify your identity again. This is normal and is required by federal law.
To reduce your risk, use a strong, unique password for your Facebook account and enable two-factor authentication. If your phone is lost or stolen, log out of Facebook Messenger remotely through your account settings. If someone gains access to your account, they could send money from your linked bank account, so protecting your login is the most important step.
What to do if a payment fails or goes wrong
Payments can fail for several reasons: your bank account information is incorrect, your bank declined the transaction, the recipient's account is no longer linked, or there is a temporary problem with Facebook's servers. If a payment fails, you will see an error message in Messenger. The money will not leave your account, and you can try again.
If you sent money to the wrong person, contact Facebook Support immediately. Open the payment in your Recent Activity, tap Report a Problem, and explain what happened. Facebook can sometimes reverse the payment if the recipient has not yet accepted it. If they have accepted it, Facebook cannot force them to return the money, but you can ask them directly or pursue the matter through your bank.
If you believe someone sent money from your account without permission, report it to Facebook Support and contact your bank. Your bank may be able to reverse the transaction if you report it quickly. Change your Facebook password and enable two-factor authentication to prevent future unauthorized access.
Limits and what you cannot do with Facebook Payments
Facebook Payments has no official daily or monthly sending limit, but your bank may have its own limits on transfers. Check with your bank about how much you can send in a single transaction or over a period of time. Some banks limit transfers to $1,000 or $5,000 per day, while others have no limit.
You cannot use Facebook Payments to buy items on Marketplace, pay for ads, donate to fundraisers, or send money to businesses. For those transactions, you will need to use a different payment method. You also cannot send money internationally — both you and the recipient must have US bank accounts and be located in the United States.
If your Facebook account is suspended or restricted, you will not be able to use Facebook Payments. Similarly, if you have violated Facebook's terms of service, Facebook may disable Payments on your account even if your account itself is still active.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a fee to send or receive money through Facebook Payments?
No, Facebook does not charge a fee. However, your bank may charge a fee for incoming transfers or for linking your account, depending on your account type. Check with your bank about their policies.
How long does it take for money to arrive?
Money usually arrives in the recipient's bank account within one to three business days. Weekends and holidays may delay the transfer. If a payment has been pending for more than three business days, contact Facebook Support.
Can I send money to someone who does not have Facebook Payments set up?
No. The person must have a linked bank account and a valid Facebook account before you can send them money. If they have not set up Payments yet, you can ask them to do so, or you can use a different payment method.
What happens if I delete my Facebook account?
Your linked bank account will be removed from Facebook, and you will not be able to send or receive money through Messenger. Any pending payments will be cancelled. Your bank account itself will not be affected.
Can I use Facebook Payments on my computer?
You can view your payment history and manage your account settings on a computer through messenger.com, but you cannot send or receive money from a computer. You must use the Messenger app on your phone to send or receive payments.