How to Borrow Money from Cash App: Step-by-Step Guide & Eligibility

Cash App gives users a way to borrow short-term loans right in the app. You can borrow between $20 and $850 through Cash App Borrow, paying a 5% upfront fee, with repayment due in four weeks. But here’s the catch: not everyone gets access. It’s invitation-only, and honestly, it can show up or disappear without warning.

The borrowing process feels similar to other cash advance apps, but Cash App usually charges less than those old-school payday lenders. Their automated system decides who gets to use the Borrow feature. If you want a shot, you’ll need to use the app regularly and keep your account in good shape.

How to Borrow Money from Cash App

Cash App lets selected users borrow between $20 and $200 through its Borrow feature. You’ll need to meet some requirements, but if you’re eligible, you can get funds instantly with a 4-week repayment window and a 5% fee.

Eligibility Criteria for Cash App Borrow

Cash App uses its own system to decide who can use Borrow. Not everyone qualifies, and honestly, it’s a bit of a mystery sometimes.

Main Requirements:

• Regular Cash App activity (sending, receiving money)

  
  

• Set up direct deposit in your Cash App account

  
  

• Account in good standing—no recent disputes

  
  

• Latest version of Cash App installed

  
  

• Live in a supported state

If you’re always using the app for transactions, your chances go up. Cash App seems to favor folks who get their paychecks or benefits directly deposited.

They also look at your account’s history. If you’ve been around a while and your activity looks solid, they’re more likely to offer Borrow. But remember, not every state has this feature yet.

Step-by-Step Process to Borrow Money

If you’ve got access, borrowing money through Cash App is straightforward—takes less than two minutes.

How to Borrow:

1. Open Cash App (make sure it’s updated)

   
   

2. Tap the dollar sign ($) in the bottom-left

   
   

3. Scroll down to spot the "Borrow" option

   
   

4. Select "Borrow" or "Unlock" to see what you can get

   
   

5. Pick your loan amount

   
   

6. Check the terms (fee, due date)

   
   

7. Agree to the terms and confirm

The money lands in your Cash App balance right away. Move it to your bank or spend it in-app—it’s up to you.

Everything happens inside the app. No paperwork, no awkward phone calls, nothing like that.

Loan Amounts, Fees, and Repayment Terms

Cash App offers loans from $20 up to $200, depending on your eligibility and how you use the app.

Loan Options:

• $20

• $50

• $100

• $150

• $200

You’ll pay a 5% flat fee. So, borrow $100, and you’ll owe $105.

Repayment:

• Term: 4 weeks (28 days)

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• Grace period: 1 week

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• How: Auto-deduction from your Cash App balance or linked account

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• Early payment: Totally fine—no penalties

On the due date, Cash App pulls the money from your balance. If there’s not enough, they’ll try your linked bank or card.

You can pay back early if you want, and you won’t get dinged for it. If you pay late, you might see fees, and they could block you from borrowing again.

Troubleshooting: What to Do If Borrow Option Isn't Available

A lot of people don’t see the Borrow option, which just means you’re not eligible right now.

How to Improve Your Chances:

• Set up direct deposit for your paycheck or benefits

  
  

• Use the app more—send and receive money often

  
  

• Make sure you’re running the latest app version

  
  

• Keep your account in good standing

  
  

• Wait it out—sometimes it just takes time

Try to avoid chargebacks, reversed payments, or anything that looks shady. Those can hurt your chances.

The Borrow feature might show up as you build your history and keep using Cash App.

Alternatives: If you can’t access Borrow, you might want to check out other apps like Earnin, Dave, or Brigit. They offer similar short-term loans but have their own requirements.

Some folks report getting access after several months of regular use and direct deposits. Patience might pay off.

Alternatives and Tips for Using Cash App Borrow

Cash App Borrow lets you get up to $200 with a 5% fee, but not everyone qualifies. You can boost your odds with certain account habits, but if you’re still locked out, apps like Earnin might be worth a look.

Tips to Improve Borrow Feature Eligibility

Using Cash App regularly helps a lot. The more you use it, the more reliable you look to their system.

Setting up direct deposit is probably the single best move. If your paycheck goes straight to Cash App, that’s a big plus.

Using your Cash Card for purchases also helps. Buy your coffee, groceries, whatever—just keep it active.

Try to keep a positive balance. If you’re always in the red, it might count against you.

Stay away from disputes or chargebacks. Clean records make you look like a safe bet.

And keep your app updated—sometimes new features or eligibility tweaks roll out with updates.

Pros and Cons of Borrowing from Cash App

Cash App Borrow has a few clear upsides for folks who need quick cash. The 5% fee beats most payday loans or credit card advances.

Pros:

• No credit check

  
  

• Money shows up instantly

  
  

• Simple payback process

  
  

• Doesn’t affect your credit score

You can get funds in minutes, not days. It’s fast and easy.

Cons:

• Low loan limits ($20-$200)

  
  

• Not everyone can use it

  
  

• Four-week repayment window

  
  

• Late fees if you miss the deadline

Since not everyone gets access, it’s not the most reliable option in a pinch. You can’t really count on it always being there.

Alternatives to Cash App Borrow, Including Earnin and Cash Advances

Earnin lets you tap into your paycheck before payday, skipping the usual loan hassle. You can pull out up to $750 a day from what you’ve already earned—pretty handy if you’re in a pinch.

Dave gives you quick cash advances up to $500. There aren’t any required fees, just optional tips if you’re feeling generous. Plus, the app throws in some basic budgeting tools and helps cover overdrafts.

Brigit offers up to $250 in advances, charging a membership fee instead of hitting you with a fee every time you borrow. They also toss in credit monitoring and some decent financial tips.

You can still grab a traditional cash advance from your credit card, but they’re pricey. The fees and interest rates add up fast, even if you can borrow more this way.

Chime SpotMe covers you up to $200 when you accidentally overdraw your account. No fees, and it just kicks in automatically for eligible purchases—no hoops to jump through.

MoneyLion mixes short-term loans with tools to track your finances. You can borrow a bit more while working on your credit and picking up some smarter money habits along the way.