How to Sign Up for Venmo and Start Sending Money
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As digital payments become an ever more integral part of daily life, Venmo maintains its position as one of the industry leaders. In fact, the platform has processed 81% of all U.S. P2P transactions in 2025. You still don’t know what Venmo is, and you’re not a Venmo user? If you too plan to join the ranks of P2P users, you’ll need to learn how to set up a Venmo account. The process is quite simple, but there are some preparations to be made. In this article, we’ll explain how to open basic and business accounts and give you some Venmo security tips.
Download the Venmo App
So, how to sign up for Venmo? The obvious first step is to download the app from Google Play, App Store, or another OS-dedicated app market. You can install Venmo on your smartphone or tablet. The app is currently available for both iOS and Android devices, but will surely be ported to their competitors in the future if those emerge.
Create a Venmo Account
Open the app and tap “Sign up”. Even if you don’t know how to create a Venmo account, the process is pretty straightforward: you’ll be prompted to enter your email address and phone number and create a password. Make sure to use a valid email address and phone number that you have access to, and set a password between 8 and 20 characters long that includes at least one number or symbol like (!@#$%). Go for the upper end of that range (we’re speaking finances, after all).
Verify Your Phone Number and Email Address
Once you enter your personal data, you’ll be asked to verify it, since Venmo requires some proof that you’re a real person. The system will send you a verification code via SMS. Locate the message in your phone’s inbox and enter the code as prompted by the app. As you sign up, a verification link will be sent to the email address you’ve entered previously. Click it to confirm your email. Note that you’ll have to pass the verification procedure each time you want to change the email linked to your account.
It is done to prevent unauthorized access and make hacking the app more difficult.
Link a Payment Method
Once your profile is verified, you need to link a payment method that you’ll use for adding money to your Venmo account. The app accepts several payment methods, including bank accounts, debit cards, and credit cards. To link a payment method, simply tap the “Me” tab in the app. Then, select the “Wallet” section, choose “Add a bank or card,” and pick “Bank” or “Card.” You’ll be asked to provide your bank account number or card details, depending on the payment method you choose.
Can someone hack your Venmo account? Well, yes, and that happened quite a few times in the past. To avoid such situations, you will also be asked to verify your bank account by using either instant (via Plaid) or manual verification (using micro transfers).
Add Friends and Contacts on Venmo
Adding contacts is an important step to make sure your payments will be forwarded to the intended recipients, and in fact, it is considered one of the major Venmo pros. As you register your profile, you’ll be asked to provide access to your phone contact list. The system will automatically identify any contacts already using the app and add them to your friend list. It’s worth noting that once you complete the registration, you’ll be added to their Venmo contacts, too.
How to Start Using Venmo
Once your account is fully set up, you’re ready to start sending and receiving money. Now, let's figure out how to make payments on this platform.
Send and Receive Your First Payment
To complete your first transaction, follow these steps:
- Tap the “Pay/Request” button.
- Add a recipient by searching their username, email, or phone number.
- Enter the amount, then add a note or emoji.
- Tap “Pay” or “Request.”
- Review the details and confirm.
Venmo transactions are usually processed quickly. You can transfer the balance directly to your linked bank account or use the funds to make purchases within the app.
If the app is working and you don’t experience any account freezes, you can start using this payment platform.
How to Open a Venmo Account for Business
When setting up a personal Venmo account, you get an opportunity to open a business profile as well. So, if you ever wondered how to get Venmo for your company, you can hit two targets with a single stroke. It is worth noting that the regular Venmo transfer fee differs from Venmo fees for business. You can learn more about commissions and Venmo limits in our previous articles.
After your profile is registered and verified, open the Me tab, tap the Settings gear in the upper right, and select Create Business Profile. The processor will automatically paste all your personal data from the main account, including the verified email and phone number. Still, you’ll have to enter your SSN or EIN for tax purposes, provide a short description of your business, and specify a mailing address you use.
Don't forget to check our articles on how well Venmo compares to its closest competitors: Venmo vs. Cash App, Venmo vs. Zelle, and Venmo vs. PayPal!
Security Tips for Your New Venmo Account
Now that you know how to get a Venmo account, let’s talk about some security measures. Since a Venmo account is directly linked to your bank card, it’s a desirable target for fraudsters. While directly hacking the platform is extremely difficult, there are various scams that aren't always easy to spot. Moreover, all personal payments are publicly visible by default, meaning everyone can see who you’re sending money to.
How to make a Venmo account secure?
- Create a strong password. Venmo accepts passwords 8 to 20 characters long and requires you to include at least one number or symbol like (!@#$%). Push toward 20 characters and use a password manager to generate something random.
- Set Your Transactions to "Private". Go to Settings, find the “Privacy” tab, and change the default public settings to private.
- Use MFA. Venmo automatically enables multi-factor authentication to verify accounts with a phone number.
- Enable a PIN or biometrics. To enable Face ID, Touch ID, or a 4-digit PIN, go to Settings and press Security.
- Keep your app updated. Set the automatic updates for your Venmo app, so you always have the latest security upgrades and fraud detection tools.
So now you can answer the question, “How do you set up a Venmo account safely?” There are also some everyday habits that will make your payments more secure.
- Double-check a recipient. Scammers can create fake accounts that pretend to be your friends or family members. Always check the unique username and contact recipients outside of Venmo if you see unexpected payment requests.
- Don’t send money to strangers. Venmo is designed for personal payments, so don’t use it to pay for items from online marketplaces, as there is no purchase protection.
- Avoid "accidental" transfers. A common Venmo scam involves someone "accidentally" sending you money from a stolen card and asking you to send it back. The bank will then flag the initial transfer as fraudulent, giving the money back to the scammer, while you'll still lose whatever you’ve "returned."
If you notice anything suspicious, like an unauthorized login attempt or transfers, reach out to Venmo support. For more information about Venmo scams, read this detailed article.
FAQ
How do you sign up for Venmo without a U.S. bank account?
Generally, you can’t use Venmo without a U.S. bank account or a debit card. Even if you sign up with a verified U.S. phone number, you won’t be able to transfer money if you don’t link a U.S. bank card.
How long does it take to set up a Venmo account?
The Venmo sign up process takes a few minutes, but you’ll have to wait up to 3 business days for verification.
Can I set up Venmo without a Social Security Number?
If you're wondering, “How do I set up a Venmo account without an SSN?” the answer is you can, but it’ll be a limited account. If you want to use the full Venmo functionality, you must pass the Know Your Customer check and provide your SSN.
