Step 1: Start the payment

If you’ve been emailed an invoice or money request, you’ll simply need to click on the ‘Pay now’ button to get started. Depending on the device you’re using, you might then be asked to log into your PayPal account before progressing.

If you need to start the payment yourself, you’ll need to log into your PayPal account and then click the ‘Send and request’ button.⁵

Step 2: Select whether you’re making a personal or business payment

If you’re structuring the payment yourself, PayPal will ask you to confirm if you’re paying for goods and services, or making a payment to a friend or family member, either in the US or internationally.⁵ Remember, the fees and charges could be different for each service, so make sure you pick the right one for your needs.

Step 3: Enter the details for the recipient

You’re asked to input the email address or phone number of the person you wish to pay.⁵ Make sure you’ve got this information correct before you proceed.

Step 4: Confirm the amount and currency

You’ll then need to confirm the amount you want to pay, and the currency to use. This is done using the drop down boxes — just click on the currency you want.⁵

Step 5: Hit confirm, and choose a funding source

Confirm that the payment has been entered correctly, and choose how you wish to pay. You can usually choose between a few different funding sources at this stage — using PayPal balance, a linked bank account, or a credit or debit card.⁵

Venmo is available as a payment option in certain merchant apps, and you can pay with Venmo many places where you see the PayPal button. In order to checkout using Venmo, you will need to have the Venmo app installed on your mobile phone and will need to opt-in to make purchases. Then, depending on the merchant, you can pay with Venmo in one of the following ways:

• Simply tap the PayPal button on a mobile device to launch the PayPal checkout experience. A Venmo payment option will appear on the next page if offered.

  • Please keep in mind that in order to see the option to pay with Venmo, you will need to have Venmo currently installed on your phone, be checking out with an eligible PayPal merchant, and not have configured PayPal OneTouch. For more information about how to change PayPal OneTouch settings, please see this support article: https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/one-touch-checkout/faq

• If you’re in an app that offers a Venmo button, tap on it to authorize your purchase.  You will then be prompted for permission to link your Venmo account with the merchant.  Once linked, that merchant will have the ability to charge your linked Venmo account for future purchases in accordance with your agreement with the merchant.  You can disconnect your Venmo account from the merchant at any time by going to ‘Settings’ in Venmo and tap on ‘Connected Merchants’. Select the merchant you want to stop making purchases from and tap Disconnect at the bottom of the screen. To learn more about linking your Venmo account to merchant apps, click here.