How To Set Up Venmo: Step By Step With Photos

Venmo is a popular money transaction app for all the right reasons. It is easy to use and has a unique social touch that lets us know about payments. If this money-sending app’s hype has gotten you, it’s time to learn how to set up Venmo.

Setting up Venmo is pretty easy. Follow the on-screen instructions and provide the proper documents when asked. Once you set up and verify your account, you can move on to syncing your contacts to start sending and receiving payments.

If bank transfers are your primary mode of payment, you’ll have to link your bank account with Venmo as well. After setting up your account, sending and receiving money from your smartphone will become a breeze. 

Don’t know where to start? Keep reading this guide till the end to set up Venmo completely. We will list some easy steps to sign up on Venmo, sync contacts, add your payment methods, and make withdrawals. So, let’s get started!

How To Set Up Venmo Account: Signing Up

The first step in setting up your Venmo account is to sign up. You can move on to the next step if you’ve already made an account. However, if you’re entirely new, follow the below steps to begin your Venmo journey:

Step 1: Launch the Venmo App

First, open the Venmo app on your smartphone. If you haven’t downloaded it, get it from the Google Play Store on your Android and the App Store on your iPhone. Ensure you have installed the right Venmo app with a blue icon and a big white “V.”

Step 2: Tap Sign Up

Now, tap the sign-up button. After that, Venmo will give you two options: signing up through Facebook and another via your email address. Signing up with Facebook is the easiest, as all your friends will know you’re on Venmo. If you want to go this way, tap “Sign up with Facebook.

Choose “Sign up with Email” to keep your Facebook friends away from your Venmo account. However, this process can be lengthy as you must manually type your account’s details, including your name, address, etc. 

On the desktop site, choose any sign-up options from the page’s right side to set up Venmo.

Step 3: Type Your Details

The next screen will ask for your account details, depending on your chosen option. If you tap on “Sign up with Facebook,” you’ll then have to select “Log in with the Facebook app” and then choose “Continue as [Your Facebook username]” if the prompt pops up. 

If it doesn’t, enter your Facebook email address/phone number and password to log in to your account. Venmo will then save your login information. After that, enter your Venmo account’s password and phone number and choose “Send Code.” A code will be sent to your phone number. Enter it and tap “Verify” to proceed further. 

If you choose “Log in with Email,” the next step will ask for your name, password, and email address. Enter them and tap “Next.” Then, type your phone number and tap “Send Code” to let Venmo send you a code on your phone. Copy the code from the text and paste it into the Venmo app. Finally, choose “Verify” to complete the process. 

Step 4: Wait for the Verification

Now, sit back and wait for Venmo to create and verify your account. Once done, you can easily link your bank account or card and sync contacts to set up Venmo for easy transactions.

How To Set Up Venmo: Syncing Your Contacts

The next step is to sync your contacts with your Venmo account. If you made the account with your Facebook ID, things would be easier for you here. However, syncing contacts from your phone isn’t challenging. Here is how to go about it:

Step 1: Connect to Facebook

If you didn’t sign up with your Facebook account, you can link it with your Venmo now. It will add your friends to your Venmo account quickly. Go to “Connect Facebook” and tap “OK” to accept the connection. Otherwise, you can choose “Not Now” and perform this process later.

Step 2: Sync Phone Contacts

Tap “Next” on the prompt to proceed further. But if you don’t want to do this now, choose “Skip.”

Step 3: Add Friends Through the Search Option

In the app, you can add people by searching for their names or username. Type the person you want to add to your account in the Search People Menu and tap on the name you’re searching for. 

Look thoroughly at that profile’s information and pictures to ensure you’ve chosen the correct person. Then, select the “Add Friend” option under their username.

Step 4: Scan the QR code

You can also sync contacts to your Venmo account if that person is present nearby. Simply scan their Venmo account’s QR code. 

First, tap “Scan Code” above the Search People menu. Then, ask your friend to open their QR code, put it under your phone’s camera, and wait until the app pulls it. Finally, tap “Add Friend” under their name to add that person to your Venmo friend list.

How To Set Up Venmo: Linking Your Bank Account

Pat yourself; you have come a long way in setting up your Venmo account. If you’ve successfully signed up and synced your contacts, it’s time to link your bank account to your Venmo account to add a payment method. This step is crucial. After all, you can’t send or receive money from anyone without specifying a transaction method.

Follow the below steps to set up Venmo with your bank account:

Step 1: Open the Menu

First, launch the Venmo app on your phone, and then look for the hamburger or three-bars icon on the upper left corner of the homepage. Tap on it to open the menu.

Step 2: Choose Settings

Look for the “Settings” option on the menu at the bottom of the mobile app, then Tap on it.

Step 3: Tap Payment Methods

On the Settings screen, tap on the second option: Payment Methods.

Step 4: Add Bank or Card

Now, choose “Add bank or card.” On the next page, you will also have the option to add your debit or credit card to add an intermediary. If you choose the card option, provide your card details as asked and select “Add Card” to complete the process.

After tapping on “Bank,” Venmo will ask for your bank account details. If the company verifies the credentials, it will display a list of all your checking accounts. 

Step 5: Choose Your Account

Choose the account you want to link to your account to set up Venmo.

Congratulations, you have now connected your bank account to Venmo. You can use this account to send and receive money in the future.

How To Set Up Venmo: Sending and Receiving Payments

Now that you’ve linked your bank account, it’s time to start making transactions on Venmo. Whether you want to pay someone or request money, you’ll do both from the same option. Follow the below steps to set up Venmo for transactions:

Step 1: Choose Pay/Request

In the Venmo app, select the Pay/Request option, a square icon with a dollar and a pencil sign at the upper-right side of the screen. If you’re using an Android, this button will be on the bottom-right side of the app’s screen. On the desktop, you can click the “Pay or charge someone” field on the top.

Step 2: Enter the Recipient’s Information

On the next screen, enter the person’s Venmo details to whom you want to send the money. The app will ask for your username, phone number, and email address. Things will be easier if that person is already your friend on Venmo. You’ll only have to type their name on the Search bar and choose the right profile to proceed.

Step 3: Type the Amount

Remember, Venmo only deals with dollars, so enter your amount accordingly. If you’re using the desktop, click “Pay or Charge” on the left search bar and then enter the amount.

Step 4: Add a Note

Now, add a note about the transaction in the box, “What’s it for?” Tap on it to write the reason for the money request or payment. On the desktop, press the spacebar to start writing the note.

Step 5: Select Pay or Request

If you’re using a desktop, choose the “Pay or Charge” option below the box. Another prompt will appear. Just tap on Pay or Request to complete the process. 

How To Set Up Venmo: Withdrawing Money

Now comes the last but crucial step in setting up your Venmo account: withdrawing money. If you followed the bank account-linking steps discussed above, withdrawing money will be easier for you now. Here is how you can easily withdraw money from your Venmo account:

Step 1: Open the Menu

Launch the app and tap the hamburger or three-bars icon present on the upper left side of the screen. It will open the side menu. If you’re using a desktop, scroll down to the homepage’s bottom to find the menu.

Step 2: Tap Your Profile

Now, tap on your profile picture or name on the side menu top. You don’t have to follow this step on the desktop. 

Step 3: Choose Transfer To Bank

The next screen will show the money in your Venmo wallet along with a “Transfer to Bank” option present next to it. Tap on the button.

If you’re using a desktop, the “Transfer to Bank” button will be on the bottom-right side of the screen. You can only see it if your Venmo Balance is positive.

Step 4: Type the Amount You Want To Withdraw

Now, tap the “Amount” field at your mobile screen’s top and desktop’s transfer window. Type the amount you want to withdraw, keeping in mind your Venmo Balance.

On mobile, the balance appears below the amount field and on desktop, to the box’s right side.

Step 5: Select Your Bank Account

The next step is to select your bank account. Click or tap on the one you want to withdraw funds into. If only one account is linked to Venmo, skip this step.

Step 6: Tap Transfer

Finally, tap “Next” and the “Transfer” button to send the money to your linked bank account. That’s all you need to do to set up Venmo!

And, for a helpful summary of how to sign up for and use Venmo, you can watch this video: