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.
A tap ATM, or contactless ATM, allows you to withdraw cash using your mobile device’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.
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.
Chase Total Checking®
Chase Secure Banking℠
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Depending on your bank’s ATM, connecting to it will work in one of these four ways:
There are five different types of cardless ATMs, so it depends on which one you’re using.
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
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
Google Pay works the same as Apple Pay. Withdraw money at any ATM that has the contactless symbol.
How to withdraw money
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
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
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As this feature becomes more common in the US, it’s important to compare your options and consider features related to cardless ATMs.
| Bank | App | OS | Compatible accounts | Security features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank of America | Google Pay |  | Consumer debit cards, U.S. trust debit cards, small business debit cards (owner card only) | PIN |
| BMO | BMO Digital Banking App |  | BMO debit cards | Scan QR code on your phone once you arrive at the ATM |
| Wells Fargo | Wells Fargo Mobile – Card-Free Access | | Wells Fargo debit and Wells Fargo EasyPay cards | PIN/ATM Access Code |
| Chase | Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay mobile wallet |  | Consumer debit cards (excluding CPC Privileges card), business debit cards (excluding Business Associate cards) and Chase Liquid cards | PIN |
| Capital One | CashTapp | | 360 Checking account | None. 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 Bank | Fifth Third mobile banking app | | N/A | PIN |
| PNC Bank | PNC Mobile app | | 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 |
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.
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.
Consider these benefits and drawbacks when using an ATM.
Despite the safety measures of cardless ATMs, you should still know how to protect your money when grabbing cash.
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