Someone can send money to your Chime account through Pay Anyone, an ACH bank transfer, an eligible external debit-card transfer, or a supported cash-deposit location. The money does not go to the Chime Card number: funds enter Chime Checking first, then are automatically moved to the Chime Card Secured Deposit Account.
Which way should the sender use?
| Route | Who can send | How it works | Timing or fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pay Anyone | A Chime member | Send through the Chime app to a Chime member or send a claim link to a non-member. | Chime says member-to-member transfers are instant and payments typically arrive within seconds. A non-member has 14 days to claim; otherwise the payment returns to the sender. |
| ACH bank transfer | Someone with a bank account | The sender starts an ACH transfer from their bank to your Chime Checking routing and account numbers. | Timing and any fee are not stated in Chime’s guidance here; the sender’s bank may set limits. |
| External debit-card transfer | You, using an eligible external debit card | In the Chime app, transfer funds from the external card into Chime Checking. | Chime’s help page says this inbound transfer is free and has a $5 minimum. Eligibility and personalized limits apply. |
| Cash deposit | Someone giving you cash, using a supported retail deposit option | Use the deposit flow and locations available in the Chime app; funds are deposited to the account, not the card number. | Partner fees may apply outside Walgreens and Duane Reade. Check the app for current locations and fees. |
| Direct deposit | An employer, gig platform, or government-benefit payer | The payer sends the deposit to your Chime Checking account details. | Timing is not stated here. The name on the Chime account must match the payer’s records or the deposit may be delayed or returned. |
How a Chime member can send with Pay Anyone
- In the Chime app, tap Pay, then choose Pay.
- Find the recipient by name, $ChimeSign, email address, or phone number.
- Enter the amount and confirm the payment.
The sender needs enough money in Checking. If there is not enough, Chime may offer use of a linked external debit card. A non-Chime recipient gets a claim link by text or email and can claim the payment with a U.S.-issued debit card or by joining Chime. Chime says fraud or financial-harm reviews can hold or delay a payment, and transfers to another Chime member are irreversible.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
MasterCard Virtual eGift Card | $54.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
MasterCard Virtual eGift Card | $105.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Transaction Register Book: Debit & Credit Transaction Logbook/Checkbook/Ledger for Tracking Checking... | $6.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Visa Virtual eGift Card | $105.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
MasterCard Virtual eGift Card | $206.95 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
How to receive an ACH bank transfer
Give the sender your Chime Checking routing and account numbers and ask them to initiate an ACH transfer from their own bank. Chime says it does not impose a limit on transfers started through another bank’s platform, but the sending bank may have its own limits.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsTo find your account details for a payer deposit, open Move > Set up direct deposit > Account numbers in the Chime app. Use these Checking details for eligible payroll, gig-platform payments, or government benefits; do not substitute your Chime Card number.
#1 Best Overall
- Mastercard Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Condition: a.co/9V5i70m
- When you access your Mastercard Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Mastercard Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. - Mastercard Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Mastercard Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call Mastercard customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
How to add money from an external debit card
- In the Chime app, go to Move > Transfer Money.
- Choose the external debit card under From.
- Choose Chime Checking under To, enter an amount, and confirm.
Chime’s current help guidance describes inbound external debit-card transfers as free, with a $5 minimum. A transfer can still fail or be unavailable depending on card eligibility, matching account details, available balance, verification, and your personalized limits.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Cash deposits and the Chime Card balance
Cash deposits are available through supported retail locations using the app barcode, an eligible debit card, or the Chime Card. Check the app for nearby participating locations and current fees before sending someone to deposit cash. Chime says partner fees may apply at locations other than Walgreens and Duane Reade.
Rank #2
- Mastercard Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Condition: a.co/9V5i70m
- When you access your Mastercard Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Mastercard Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. - Mastercard Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Mastercard Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call Mastercard customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
For Chime Card holders, funds are routed to Chime Checking and automatically moved into the Secured Deposit Account. The amount available to spend with the Chime Card tracks that secured balance.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Mastercard Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Condition: a.co/9V5i70m
- When you access your Mastercard Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Mastercard Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. - Mastercard Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Mastercard Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call Mastercard customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
Rank #4
- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
What will not work, and what to check first
- Do not use a wire transfer. Chime does not accept incoming domestic or international wires; a wire sent to a Chime Checking routing number is returned to the sending bank.
- Chime does not provide international transfers. Its help guidance says to use a third-party service for an international transfer and does not endorse or partner with a particular provider.
- Check your personalized limits. In the app, go to Profile > Account details > View limits. Pay Anyone and external-debit-card transfers share a limit, and limits depend on account history and risk factors.
- A transfer is not necessarily a qualifying direct deposit. Chime says Pay Anyone payments, bank ACH transfers, peer-to-peer app transfers, and cash deposits do not count as qualifying direct deposits. A friend can fund your account, but that does not make the payment payroll or benefits income.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
