Most ATMs don't accept Apple Pay directly, but some banks and networks have started offering it

Apple Pay won't work at the vast majority of ATMs you'll encounter. ATMs are built to read physical cards — they have card slots, not contactless readers. However, a small but growing number of banks and ATM networks have added contactless payment capability to their machines, which means you can use Apple Pay at those specific ATMs.

The catch is that this feature is still uncommon. Your bank may or may not support it, and even if it does, only some of their ATMs will have the technology. You'll need to check with your bank directly or look for visual indicators on the machine itself to know whether Apple Pay will work.

Key Takeaways

  • Most ATMs require a physical card inserted into a slot and do not accept Apple Pay, but some banks have added contactless readers to certain machines.
  • Banks that currently support Apple Pay at ATMs include Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and some credit unions, though availability varies by location and branch.
  • ATMs with contactless capability usually display a contactless symbol (a curved wave icon) on the machine or screen to show Apple Pay is accepted.
  • If your bank's ATMs don't support Apple Pay, you can still withdraw cash by using your physical debit card or by requesting cash back at a store when you make a purchase with Apple Pay.

Which banks currently support Apple Pay at ATMs

Chase has rolled out Apple Pay support at many of its ATMs across the United States, though not every Chase ATM has the feature yet. Bank of America has also enabled contactless withdrawals at a portion of its machines. Wells Fargo added this capability to some of its ATMs as well. Beyond the major national banks, some regional banks and credit unions have implemented it, but the list is still relatively short.

The challenge is that even within a single bank, not all ATMs have been upgraded. A Chase ATM at one branch might accept Apple Pay while another Chase ATM across town does not. This is because upgrading ATM hardware is expensive and happens gradually. Your bank may have plans to expand the feature, but there's no set timeline for when all machines will be updated.

To find out whether your specific bank supports Apple Pay at ATMs, contact your bank's customer service or check their website. They can tell you which locations have the technology and which ones don't.

How to use Apple Pay at an ATM that accepts it

The process is straightforward if your ATM supports contactless payments. When you approach the machine, look for the contactless symbol — a curved wave icon — on the screen or the front of the machine. This symbol indicates the ATM can read Apple Pay.

Select your transaction type (usually "Withdrawal" or "Cash"), then hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the contactless reader when prompted. The machine will read your payment information from Apple Pay, just as it would from a contactless credit or debit card. You'll then enter your PIN, select the amount you want to withdraw, and complete the transaction. The entire process takes about the same time as using a physical card.

If you don't see the contactless symbol or if the machine doesn't respond to your phone, that ATM doesn't support Apple Pay. You'll need to use your physical debit card instead or find another ATM at a different location.

What to do if your bank's ATMs don't support Apple Pay

If your bank hasn't added contactless capability to its ATMs yet, you have other options for accessing cash without carrying a physical card. The simplest is to use your physical debit card at any ATM — this remains the most reliable method everywhere.

You can also get cash back at any store that accepts Apple Pay. When you make a purchase with Apple Pay at a grocery store, pharmacy, or other retailer, you can ask for cash back. The amount is added to your total bill and deducted from your account, just as it would be with a physical card. This works at most major retailers and is often faster than finding an ATM.

Another option is to transfer money to a friend or family member using Apple Pay, Venmo, or another peer-to-peer payment app, and have them withdraw cash for you. This is less convenient but works in a pinch.

Why most ATMs still don't accept Apple Pay

ATMs are designed around a specific technology: the magnetic stripe or chip on a physical card. Upgrading an ATM to accept contactless payments requires installing new hardware — a contactless reader — and updating the machine's software. For a bank with thousands of ATMs, this is a major undertaking that costs millions of dollars.

Banks prioritize upgrading machines at high-traffic locations first, like downtown branches and airport terminals. Machines at smaller branches or in less busy areas may not be upgraded for years. Additionally, some older ATMs are owned by third-party operators (not the bank itself), which complicates the upgrade process because the bank can't simply mandate the change.

Security is another factor. ATMs handle sensitive financial transactions, so banks move carefully when introducing new technology. They test contactless readers thoroughly before rolling them out widely to make sure the systems are secure and reliable.

How to identify an ATM that accepts Apple Pay

The most reliable indicator is the contactless symbol on the machine. This is a curved wave icon, similar to the symbol you see on contactless credit cards and payment terminals in stores. It's usually displayed on the front of the ATM, near the card slot, or on the screen itself.

Some ATMs may also display text saying "Contactless Payment Accepted" or "Apple Pay Accepted," though this is less common. If you're unsure, you can ask a bank employee or call the bank's customer service line with the ATM's location.

You can also check your bank's app or website. Many banks now show which ATMs support contactless payments in their ATM locator tool. If you search for an ATM location, the details may indicate whether that specific machine accepts Apple Pay.

Security considerations when using Apple Pay at ATMs

Using Apple Pay at an ATM is as secure as using a physical card. Your actual card number is never transmitted — instead, Apple Pay uses tokenization, which means a unique, encrypted code is sent to the ATM. Even if someone intercepts that code, they can't use it to make purchases or access your account.

You still need to enter your PIN, just as you would with a physical card. This adds another layer of security. Make sure no one is watching when you enter your PIN, and cover the keypad with your hand, just as you would at any ATM.

One advantage of Apple Pay is that your phone can require Face ID or Touch ID before the payment is processed. This means even if someone steals your phone, they can't use Apple Pay at an ATM without your biometric authentication. This is actually more secure than a physical card, which requires only the PIN.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Apple Pay at ATMs outside the United States?

It depends on the country and the specific bank. Some international banks have added contactless capability to their ATMs, but it's even less common than in the U.S. Before traveling, contact your bank to ask whether their ATMs abroad support Apple Pay, or plan to use your physical card instead.

What if the ATM accepts Apple Pay but my bank doesn't support it?

You won't be able to complete the transaction. The ATM will either reject your phone or ask you to use a different payment method. In this case, use your physical debit card or find an ATM at your own bank.

Do I need a specific type of iPhone or Apple Watch to use Apple Pay at ATMs?

Any iPhone or Apple Watch that supports Apple Pay will work, as long as the device is set up with a valid payment method. This includes iPhone 6 and later, and Apple Watch Series 1 and later. Make sure your device has enough battery to complete the transaction.

Will using Apple Pay at an ATM charge me a fee?

No, using Apple Pay at an ATM should not charge any additional fees. You'll pay the same ATM fees (if any) that you would with a physical card. Some banks charge their own customers nothing but charge non-customers a fee — this applies whether you use a card or Apple Pay.

Can I withdraw money from someone else's account using their Apple Pay?

No. Apple Pay is linked to your own bank account and payment methods. You can only withdraw from accounts that are registered to you. If you need to access someone else's account, they would need to withdraw the cash themselves or add you as an authorized user on the account.