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Contactless ATMs: What It Means and the Banks That Offer Them

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

Steven Dashiell's headshot
Bethany Hickey's headshot

By

Steven Dashiell

&

Bethany Hickey

Edited by

Holly Jennings

Updated

Fact checked

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Key takeaways

  • Contactless ATMs let you withdraw cash using your mobile phone’s digital wallet or banking app.
  • Major US banks like Chase, Bank of America, 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 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.

Universal contactless card symbol

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.

Checking accounts with cardless ATM access

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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.

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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.

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.

Sources

Holly Jennings's headshot
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

Steven's expertise
Steven has written 23 Finder guides across topics including:
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Co-written by

Banking editor

Bethany Hickey is the banking editor and personal finance expert at Finder, specializing in banking, lending, insurance, and crypto. Bethany’s expertise in personal finance has garnered recognition from esteemed media outlets, such as Nasdaq, MSN, Yahoo Finance, GOBankingRates, SuperMoney, AOL and Newsweek. Her articles offer practical financial strategies to Americans, empowering them to make decisions that meet their financial goals. Her past work includes articles on generational spending and saving habits, lending, budgeting and managing debt. Before joining Finder, she was a content manager where she wrote hundreds of articles and news pieces on auto financing and credit repair for CarsDirect, Auto Credit Express and The Car Connection, among others. Bethany holds a BA in English from the University of Michigan-Flint, and was poetry editor for the university’s Qua Literary and Fine Arts Magazine. See full bio

Bethany's expertise
Bethany has written 451 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Personal finance
  • Banking
  • Auto loans
  • Insurance
  • Cryptocurrency and NFTs
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