Contactless ATMs let you withdraw cash using your mobile phone’s digital wallet or banking app.
Major US banks like Capital One, Chase and Wells Fargo offer cardless ATM technology.
Cardless ATM access works through near-field communication, QR codes, app-generated codes, or biometric authentication.
Benefits include traveling light, increased security, and the ability to share account access with family.
Protect your account by never sharing online banking credentials and monitoring transactions for suspicious activity.
Many banks now offer cardless ATMs, or tap ATMs, which allow you to withdraw cash from an ATM without needed to insert your physical debit card. These ATMs let you just “tap” your phone or card for contactless transactions. This tech can be great for those who often forget or dislike carrying their debit or ATM card, or those who are already comfortable with using mobile wallets.
What is a contactless ATM?
A tap ATM, or contactless ATM, allows you to withdraw cash using your phone’s digital wallet or banking app instead of inserting a card. ATMs with this function will likely have the tap-to-pay symbol on them, which is a bit like a sideways Wi-Fi symbol, with a hand holding a card on the right.
Just like when you tap-to-pay at checkouts, placing your phone with the mobile wallet open near the ATM with start the transaction and then you enter your PIN.
However, you can typically only use a cardless ATM that your bank owns. For example, if you’re a Chase customer, you can only use Chase-owned ATMs for cardless transactions.
How you access your funds depends on each cardless ATM, but they usually work through near-field communication (NCF), 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, because you can just tap your phone with your mobile wallet open.
So, I can withdraw money from an ATM with my phone?
Yes! Some ATMs and banks support tapping your phone on an ATM for cardless transactions. For the most part, major US banks like Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo offer cardless ATM technology.
This feature won’t be available at every ATM, but it is a thing.
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.
All active PNC debit and banking cards are eligible for card-free ATM access
Enter a one-time eight-digit access code generated by the app, then enter your PIN
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:
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.
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.
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.
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
Download the bank’s mobile app.
Schedule your withdrawal in the mobile app.
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
Open your Apple Pay Wallet.
Select which card you want to use.
Tap your phone against the contactless symbol.
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
Open your Google Pay Wallet.
Choose the card you wish to use.
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
Enter the amount you wish to withdraw into the CashTapp app.
Move your phone near the CashTapp sticker on the ATM until it’s securely connected.
Follow the prompts on your phone to verify your transaction and get your money.
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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
Open your mobile banking app and locate a cardless ATM near you.
Request your withdrawal.
Choose the Mobile Cash Access option on the ATM.
Use your phone to scan the QR code on the ATM’s screen.
Grab your cash from the ATM.
Looking for a great checking account?
Compare checking accounts with low fees, rewards, mobile deposit and more.
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.
Top checking accounts with cardless ATM access
Find the right checking account for you by comparing each bank’s key features — from minimum opening deposit to the number of cardless ATM locations nationwide.
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.
Bottom line
Cardless, or contactless, cash refers to the ability to withdraw money from an ATM using your phone instead of a debit card, via NFC tap, app codes, QR codes, or biometrics. It’s offered by major banks like Bank of America, Capital One, Chase and Wells Fargo.
Frequently asked questions
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.
Some ATM networks, like Bank of America, Capital One, Chase and Wells Fargo offer cardless ATM access with their own machines.
However, popular networks used by many banks, like Allpoint, do not universally support cardless transactions.
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.
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What is the name of the app so I can do cardless cash?
Finder
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
DezaneOctober 13, 2018
Where are the cardless ATM machines in Tennessee?
Finder
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
JuanitaSeptember 4, 2018
Can government beneficial prepaids have access to atm with out the actual card on emergency
Finder
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.
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What is the name of the app so I can do cardless cash?
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
Where are the cardless ATM machines in Tennessee?
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
Can government beneficial prepaids have access to atm with out the actual card on emergency
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