How to Borrow Money from Cash App (2025 Guide)

Key Takeaways

• Cash App Borrow is a feature of short-term lending that is open solely to qualifying users and is activated automatically depending on the activity in the account.
• The loan sum is generally between $20 and $400, with a fixed amount (approximately 5%) and a short period for repayment of around four weeks
• Crypto loans let you borrow money by using your cryptocurrency as collateral, giving you access to larger, flexible loans without credit checks
• Crypto loans differ from Cash App Borrow by requiring crypto collateral, offering higher loan limits and flexible repayment, but at the same time, they involve liquidation risk if the value of the collateral decreases.

How to Borrow Money from Cash App: Full 2025 Guide

Borrowing with Cash App can be incredibly convenient, but confusing. Many users struggle to unlock Borrow, don’t understand the limits, or aren’t sure why it’s missing.The following guide sheds light on the borrowing process of Cash App, the eligibility criteria, the workings of the limits, the charges to expect, and the unlocking of the feature if it is not visible in your application.

What Is a Cash App Borrow?

The Borrow function of the Cash App platform is a cash-loan service that is short-term and built-in to the platform which aims to give quick fund access to users who meet the requirements. Borrow, instead of a regular bank loan, allows you to get a small amount of cash and pay it back in a few weeks at the price of a flat fee instead of charging you in the usual way through interest. While useful for urgent needs, some users explore crypto loans as an alternative — these are provided in exchange for depositing your crypto tokens as collateral, offering higher limits, flexible terms, and market-driven benefits.

Here’s how it works in practice: once your account is eligible, you may be able to borrow between roughly $20 and around $400 (and in some cases up to $500) depending on your usage, verification status, and account history.

How to Borrow Money (Step-by-Step)

If your account is eligible for the Borrow feature, taking out a short-term loan through Cash App is a fairly straightforward process. Below is a detailed walkthrough of each step, so you know exactly what to expect from the moment you open the app to the moment the money arrives in your balance.

1. Open Cash App
   Start by launching the Cash App on your smartphone. Make sure you're logged in to the correct account — the Borrow feature is tied to the individual profile and its activity. If you haven’t updated the app recently, it’s a good idea to check for updates before proceeding, as Cash App occasionally rolls out Borrow-related improvements through new versions.

2. Tap the Banking Tab
   Once you’re inside the app, look at the lower-left corner of the screen. You’ll see an icon that resembles either a bank or a stack of money — this is the Banking tab. Tap it to access all financial tools tied to your account, including deposits, transfers, and any loan options that may be available.

3. Look for the Borrow Option
   Inside the Banking section, scroll through the options until you find something labeled “Borrow”. For some users, it may also appear as “Borrow up to $X”, where “X” represents the maximum amount Cash App is currently willing to lend you. If you don’t see the Borrow button at all, that means your account hasn’t been approved for the feature yet.

4. Tap “Unlock” or “Get Started”
   Depending on your account setup, you may be prompted to tap “Unlock”, “Get Started”, or a similar button. This step simply initiates Cash App’s quick system check before showing you the available loan options. Sometimes Cash App will verify your identity or request minor additional information if you haven’t completed those steps earlier.

5. Choose Your Borrow Amount
   After you’ve entered the Borrow section, you’ll see the total amount you’re eligible to borrow, along with a slider or input field that lets you choose how much you want. Cash App gives you flexibility here — you can borrow the full amount or select a smaller portion. Choose the amount that fits your needs and your ability to repay within the upcoming due date.

6. Review the Loan Terms
   Before you finalize anything, Cash App will show you a summary of the loan terms. This includes:

• The flat fee Cash App charges for borrowing
• The total amount you’ll have to repay
• The exact repayment due date

Take your time reviewing this page. Unlike traditional lenders, Cash App uses a simple flat-fee model instead of interest, so the full cost of the loan is clearly displayed upfront.

7. Tap “Confirm”
   Once you’ve looked over the details and are comfortable with the repayment terms, tap “Confirm” to finalize the loan. At this point, Cash App will officially initiate the Borrow transaction and lock in your due date. There’s no credit pull and no waiting period — everything happens immediately inside the app.

8. Receive the Funds Instantly
   After you confirm the loan, the money appears in your Cash App balance instantly. You're free to use it however you want.

This entire process works exactly the same on both iPhone and Android, including the layout of the Borrow screen and the loan confirmation flow. The only difference users might encounter is the visual style of the app depending on their device’s operating system, but all steps remain identical.

How to get access for Cash App Borrow

Cash App Borrow eligibility is determined by multiple internal factors: your state of residence, your account’s transaction and deposit history, and whether you meet the platform’s internal criteria.

The functionality is present in different states of the U.S. (not in all states). By the year 2025, users of Cash App have found that the Borrow feature is present in almost 19 states as follows: Alabama, California, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

The amounts of loans differ and are usually between $20 and $400 for a good number of users. There is no publicly documented “application” you submit; eligibility appears to unlock automatically when the system detects qualifying account behavior.

Below is a brief overview of the key factors that determine Cash App Borrow access:

Borrow Limit & Fees Table

Before you take out a Cash App Borrow loan, it helps to understand the typical limits, fees, and conditions attached to the feature. Although exact numbers vary from user to user, Cash App follows a fairly consistent structure when determining how much you can borrow, how much it will cost, and how long you have to repay it. The table below summarizes the key terms you’re likely to encounter when using the Borrow option.

Is Cash App Borrow Safe?

Cash App Borrow is a legitimate, regulated lending product backed by licensed banking partners rather than an informal advance. The loan is issued under a formal agreement with First Electronic Bank, a Utah-chartered, FDIC-insured institution, as outlined in Cash App’s official Borrow Loan Agreement. Cash App also publicly states that Borrow involves no credit check, charges clearly disclosed flat fees, and provides full terms before you accept a loan.

Despite the fact that Cash App Borrow is a valid option, it also contains important considerations.

The flat fee, often around 5%, can translate into a high effective APR because the repayment window is short, about four weeks. Cash App’s loan agreement allows automatic repayment. The app may withdraw the owed amount from your Cash App balance or linked bank account on the due date. Your future eligibility might be influenced by late or missed payments, as Cash App may lower your limit or cut off access to Borrow altogether if there are difficulties in repayment.

Pros and Cons

Here are the main benefits and limitations you should know before using Cash App Borrow:

While Cash App Borrow works well for small, short-term needs, its limited availability and low borrowing caps leave many users searching for more flexible financing. For those who hold digital assets or want higher limits without credit checks, crypto-backed loans provide a fundamentally different alternative. The next section breaks down how crypto loans work and why they may suit users looking for greater borrowing power.

Looking for a higher limit and more flexible borrowing than Cash App can offer? Crypto-backed loans let you access instant liquidity without selling your assets or undergoing credit checks.

How to Get a Crypto Loan (ChangeNOW)

Step 1. Understand Your Loan Options

Getting a crypto loan on ChangeNOW is simple and easy. The platform gives users two lending options designed for different market conditions — Bull Market Loans and Bear Market Loans.

Step 2. Choose Your Collateral and Loan Asset

The two loan modes help users adapt to market trends: Bull Market Loans are ideal when you expect your collateral’s price to rise and want to avoid selling, while Bear Market Loans are suited for times when prices are trending downward and stability is a priority.

Step 3. Visit the Crypto Loan Page and Set Up the Loan

After choosing the option that fits your strategy, you select your collateral crypto and the asset you want to borrow, typically a stablecoin like USDT or USDC.

To start, visit the Crypto Loan page and pick your collateral currency and the loan asset. ChangeNOW uses a transparent loan structure with a fixed 50% loan-to-value (LTV) ratio and a 21% APR.

Step 4. Send Your Collateral

Once you review the terms, you send your collateral to the wallet address provided. After the deposit is confirmed on-chain, the platform releases the loan amount directly to your wallet.

Step 5. Manage Your Loan Flexibly

ChangeNOW lets you manage the loan at your own pace — interest accumulates monthly, and you can keep the loan open as long as needed. When you repay the borrowed amount plus interest, your collateral is returned to you. As with any crypto-backed loan, if the value of your collateral falls too sharply, liquidation can occur to protect the loan.

Step 6. Borrow Any Amount You Need

The platform also imposes no maximum cap on crypto-backed loans. Their liquidity provider ensures that users can borrow as much as they need, making the loan size essentially unlimited on the upper end. Loan minimums differ according to the collateral but mostly start at 100 USD.

Step 7. Track Your Loan in Real Time

To help users monitor their loan health, ChangeNOW provides a real-time tracking dashboard. Users are able to get all the essential information in one place just by clicking "Track my loan" located at the top of the page and logging in with a mobile number: the collateral deposit size, the loan amount, the total repayment due, and a detailed price chart that indicates how far the collateral is from the liquidation price. This simplifies the process of risk management and makes it easier to determine when to add more collateral or pay off the loan.

Cash App vs Crypto Loan

In order to clarify the differences between Cash App and crypto loans, the table below compares and summarizes how each option works, what they cost, and who they’re best suited for:

Conclusion

In the year 2025, using Cash App to borrow money remains a fast and convenient way to handle short-term expenses, and it is available only to users who meet Cash App’s internal eligibility criteria. The Borrow feature is simple, transparent, and requires no credit check. However, due to its limited availability, low loan limits, and relatively high effective cost, it should be used with caution. Understanding its fees, limits, automatic repayment rules, and eligibility requirements is essential to avoid surprises or losing access to the feature in the future.

For users who hold digital assets or need more flexible borrowing options, crypto-backed loans offer a completely different model. They require no credit checks and can provide significantly higher borrowing potential, but they also carry liquidation risk if the value of the collateral drops.

The best borrowing option depends on your financial habits, income patterns, and risk tolerance. Cash App Borrow is suitable for small, urgent needs, while crypto loans are better for digital-asset holders seeking flexibility and scale. If you prefer an instant and secure option with no credit requirements, you can try taking a crypto loan on ChangeNOW.

FAQ

How do I borrow money from Cash App on Android or iPhone?

The process is the same on both platforms: open Cash App → go to the Banking tab → select Borrow → choose an amount → review the terms → accept. If you don’t see the “Borrow” option, your account is not eligible.

How do I unlock the Borrow feature on Cash App?

Borrow unlocks automatically when your account meets Cash App’s internal criteria. Increasing your chances typically requires having an active Cash App Card, maintaining regular activity (deposits or spending), and keeping your account in good standing.

Does borrowing money from Cash App help build credit?

No. Cash App Borrow does not affect your credit score because Cash App does not report borrowing or repayment activity to credit bureaus. To build credit, you need products designed for that purpose, such as secured credit cards or credit-builder loans.

If you want instant borrowing with no credit requirements and significantly larger limits, a crypto loan may be the more efficient option. Tap below to get started.