What's the Minimum Age to Open a Cash App Account? Here's What Teens and Parents Need to Know

Gone are the days when teens had to wait until 18 to manage their own digital money. Cash App recently expanded its teen user policy, allowing younger users to join the platform and build their own financial habits early. But what’s the minimum age to use Cash App, and what exactly can teens do once they’re in?

The Age Requirement for Teens on Cash App

The short answer: teens as young as 13 can now open a Cash App account. This represents a significant shift from Cash App’s previous policy, which required all users to be 18 or older. The move is part of a broader trend among fintech companies to help younger generations participate in the digital economy.

However, there’s a catch. While 13-year-olds can technically use Cash App, parental or guardian approval is mandatory. The teen’s parent or guardian must have their own verified Cash App account and actively authorize the teen’s account before it can become fully functional.

How the Teen Account Setup Works

The process is straightforward but requires adult involvement. Once a teen downloads Cash App and starts the registration, they’ll be prompted to verify their identity. At that point, the app will ask for a parent or guardian’s email, phone number, or $cashtag username.

Cash App then reaches out to the adult to confirm approval. Once the guardian gives the green light, the teen can request a physical Cash Card—essentially a Visa debit card linked to their Cash App balance. The card typically arrives within two weeks, though teens can start making digital payments through Apple Pay and Google Pay immediately.

One important detail: the adult remains the legal account owner, even though the teen is using it. The parent or guardian can monitor all transactions, freeze the card, or close the account at any time through the app.

What Teens Can Actually Do on Cash App

Once approved, teen users enjoy several payment capabilities:

• Send and receive up to $1,000 every 30 days
• Add up to $7,500 monthly to their balance
• Withdraw up to $25,000 per week via ATM
• Set up direct deposit
• Use Cash Boosts for discounts at popular retailers like Starbucks and DoorDash
• Make digital payments through their Cash Card

Important Restrictions for Teen Accounts

Cash App doesn’t give teens unlimited freedom. Users under 18 face some significant limitations:

Prohibited features include:

• Cryptocurrency purchases and trading
• Check deposits
• International transfers
• Using their card at bars, nightclubs, liquor stores, hotels, and casinos
• Paying for car rentals, dating services, or bail bonds

These restrictions exist to protect younger users from high-risk financial activities and ensure compliance with regulations.

How Cash App Compares to Other Teen-Focused Services

Cash App isn’t alone in targeting younger users. Services like Greenlight focus on parental oversight of teen spending habits, while Step offers fee-free accounts with a secured debit card. However, Cash App’s expansion to age 13 makes it one of the more accessible options for younger teens entering the digital payments space.

Venmo and PayPal, by contrast, still maintain their 18-year-old minimum age requirement.

Bottom Line

If you’re wondering how old you have to be to have a Cash App account, the answer is simple: 13 years old with parental permission. The platform is positioning itself as a gateway for financial participation, giving teens the tools to send money, make purchases, and start building financial responsibility—all under watchful adult eyes.