- You can receive money on Zelle no matter which banking service you have — all you need is the Zelle app.
- Zelle is a service that facilitates money transfers between US bank users.
- If you bank with a smaller institution that isn’t partnered with Zelle, you can still use the service for money transfers.
- You'll need an email or mobile number and debit card to receive your Zelle transfer.
Zelle is a service that offers a free, easy, and secure way to send and receive money with others.
Although the service is seamlessly integrated as a money transfer service provider into many big-name financial institutions, if you use a more obscure bank or credit union, fret not — all you need is an email address or mobile phone number to take advantage of Zelle, regardless of who you bank with.
Here's how you can get started receiving money through Zelle in a few simple steps.
How to receive money on Zelle
1. If someone sent you money through Zelle, you'll receive an email or text notification about the payment.
2. Click on the link in the email or text.
You'll receive an email notification from Zelle with information and further instructions about the money transfer. Emma Witman/Business Insider
3. Download and the Zelle app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store (if you haven't already), and click "Get started."
Download the Zelle app, as seen in the Apple App Store. Emma Witman/Business Insider
4. Enter your mobile number or email, depending on how the transfer was sent, and select "Continue."
5. Check the box regarding your data and privacy, then tap "Continue."
6. On the "Find Your Bank" screen, search for your bank. If the institution that you bank with is listed, you'll be redirected to complete the transfer on your bank's website.
If a provider you bank with, like Wells Fargo, is already a partner with Zelle, you'll be redirected to their website to complete your retrieval of the transfer. Emma Witman/Business Insider
7. If you don't see your bank listed, tap "Don't see your bank?"
Smaller banks, like the online-based Simple, aren't already integrated with Zelle. Emma Witman/Business Insider
8. Enter a Visa or Mastercard debit card on the "Add Debit Card" screen and tap "Continue."
Make sure you have a debit card on hand if your bank isn't listed in the Zelle app. Emma Witman/Business Insider
9. Add your billing address on the next screen and click "Continue."
You're all set to receive the Zelle transfer, and any future transfers via Zelle, from here on out.
Related coverage from Tech Reference:
How to send money through Google Pay using your iPhone or Android
How to send money through the Messages app on an iPhone or iPad
How to send money on Facebook using Facebook Messenger on your computer or mobile device
How to send money on the Cash App on your iPhone or Android
How to send money on Venmo to anyone with an account, and set a privacy setting for payments
Emma Witman is an Asheville, NC-based freelance journalist with a keen interest in writing about hardware, PC gaming, politics, and personal finance. She is a former crime reporter for a daily newspaper, and has also written extensively about bartending for Insider. She may or may not judge your drink order when behind the bar. Follow her on Twitter at @emwity.
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KNOWLEDGE BASE
It's easiest when your recipient is enrolled with Zelle® to start with. But they don't have to be.
Recipients enrolled with Zelle
When someone is already enrolled, they'll get your payment right away, without doing anything. This is because the recipient is the person who controls whether their email address or mobile phone number is registered with Zelle. They also choose which account is linked to what was registered.
When money is sent, the recipient is also sent a notification (i.e., mobile number registered, they get a text message; email address registered, they get an email).
To ensure the transaction goes as smooth as possible, try verifying your recipient is enrolled with Zelle. You can check to see if there’s a purple "Z" below the recipient’s name; this indicates they're registered with Zelle.
If that’s not available, ask your recipient which item they’ve registered (phone or email) and if they’ve verified the item is linked to the deposit account they want. This way there’s no confusion on where the funds can be found once it’s sent.
Recipients not enrolled with Zelle
If money is sent and the recipient isn't enrolled with Zelle, they'll get a notice with instructions on how to register. If you sent funds to their mobile phone number, they'll get a text message. If you sent funds to their email address, they'll get an email.
To ensure the transaction goes as smooth as possible, we recommend you share with your recipient which item you sent funds to (phone or email). This way they know which item to register with Zelle. Then, they choose which deposit account they want linked. Once they enroll, the funds should deposit within one to two business days. After that, funds are typically received within minutes.
Additional information
- If the recipient's phone number or email address isn't registered within 14 calendar days from the day the payment is sent, the funds are returned to the sender.
- Any Zelle account that's inactive for 18 months gets deactivated. In this case, re-enroll with Zelle to use the service again.