Can someone walk me through setting up a Venmo account?

General
1

I’m trying to create a Venmo account for the first time so I can pay friends back and split bills, but I’m confused about the steps, what info I need, and how to link my bank safely. I don’t want to mess anything up or miss an important security setting. Could someone explain the full setup process in simple terms?

2

Here is a straight walk through so you do not mess stuff up.

  1. Download and install

    • Go to the App Store or Google Play.
    • Search “Venmo”.
    • Install the official app from PayPal, Inc.

  2. Create your account

    • Open the app.
    • Tap Sign Up.
    • Pick Sign up with email or Sign up with Facebook or Google if you want.
    • Enter:
      • Legal first and last name
      • Email you check often
      • Phone number that gets texts
      • Strong password
    • Venmo sends a code by text. Enter that code to confirm your phone.
    • They send a link to your email. Tap it to confirm the email.

  3. Set up your profile

    • Add a profile photo so friends recognize you.
    • Pick a username that is easy to share. Example: @jane.smith or @johnD_23.
    • Turn your default privacy to “Private” under Settings → Privacy.
      This stops your payments from showing on the public feed.
    • Turn off “Appear in other users’ friend lists” if you want more privacy.

  4. Link your bank safely
    You have 2 main options.

    A) Instant login method (Plaid)

    • Go to Settings → Payment Methods → Add bank or card.
    • Choose Bank.
    • Venmo asks for your bank login through a secure connection.
    • You log in with your online banking user ID and password.
    • Pick the account you want to use.
      Pros: Fast, usually ready in minutes.
      Cons: You may not like entering your bank login in another app.

    B) Manual micro‑deposits

    • Tap Add bank manually instead.
    • Enter your routing number and account number from a check or your bank app.
    • Venmo sends 2 small deposits, for example $0.09 and $0.14, in 1–3 business days.
    • Check your bank history, then go back to Venmo and enter the exact amounts.
      Pros: You never share your online banking password.
      Cons: Takes a few days to finish.

    For more safety

    • Use a checking account, not savings. Some banks block transfers from savings.
    • Do not use a work or shared bank account. Use a personal one.
    • Turn on alerts in your bank app so you see any odd transfers fast.

  5. Add a backup payment method

    • In Payment Methods, add a debit card.
    • Use a debit card tied to the same bank, if possible.
    • Avoid credit cards for regular use, Venmo charges around 3 percent fee on those for sending money to friends.

  6. Security settings

    • Go to Settings → Security.
    • Turn on PIN or Face ID / Touch ID.
    • Turn on “Remembered devices” checks so new logins need a code.
    • Do not share your code or password with anyone.

  7. How to pay a friend

    • Tap Pay or Request.
    • Search by username, phone, or contact. Double check the profile photo.
    • Enter the amount.
    • Add a short note like “dinner 1/20” or “rent March”.
    • Choose privacy for this payment if you want to override your default.
    • Tap Pay.
      Money pulls from your Venmo balance first, then bank or card based on your setup.

  8. How to receive and move money out

    • When someone pays you, it lands in your Venmo balance.
    • To move money to your bank:
      • Tap Me → Manage balance → Transfer to bank.
      • Standard transfer: free, usually 1–3 business days.
      • Instant transfer: small fee, hits your bank in minutes.
    • Reread the bank account last 4 digits before hitting confirm.

  9. What to avoid

    • Do not send money to strangers for “jobs” or “too good to be true” deals.
    • Do not use Venmo for buying from random sellers you do not know.
    • Do not store a large balance. Move extra cash to your bank.
    • Double check the name and profile picture before paying. Typos here hurt.

  10. Quick checklist

  • Account made, phone and email verified.
  • Privacy set to Private.
  • Bank linked with either login or micro‑deposits.
  • Debit card added as backup.
  • PIN or Face ID on.

If any step feels off or the app asks for something strange, back out and update the app or check through the official Venmo help center before you continue.

3

Couple of extra angles to add on top of what @nachtdromer already covered, especially around “not messing stuff up” and staying safe:

  1. Info you actually need (and what’s optional)
    Required, realistically:

    • Legal name (needs to match your bank for transfers)
    • Phone number that can receive texts
    • Email
    • US bank account or debit card if you want to move money in/out

    Often eventually required:

    • Last 4 of SSN or full SSN
    • Date of birth
      Venmo may ask for this later to comply with financial regs. That freaks some people out, but it’s normal. If they ask for SSN immediately and something feels off, double check you’re in the real Venmo app by PayPal, Inc. and not some clone.

  2. Tiny disagreement on setup order
    I’d actually do:

    • Make account
    • Lock down privacy & security settings
    • Only then link bank / card
      That way if you decide “nah this is too public” or it feels sketchy, you haven’t connected money yet.

  3. Privacy stuff that most people ignore
    After you sign up, go into:

    • Settings → Privacy → set default to “Private”
    • Turn off “Appear in other users’ friend lists” if you don’t want everyone knowing who you pay
    • Scroll around and turn off “public by default” type things. Venmo’s social feed is kind of weird; no need for the world to know you paid someone for “:pizza::skull:”.

  4. Safer linking strategy
    Personally, I:

    • Use a separate checking account with low balance for all P2P apps
    • Keep main savings & bills in a different account
      That way if anything goes sideways, the exposed account doesn’t hold most of your money. Overkill for some people, but you sound like you’re being cautious.

    Also, I slightly disagree with automatically preferring the instant login (Plaid) method. It is secure from a technical point of view, but if you’re nervous, using routing/account + micro deposits is totally fine. Slower, but you never type your bank login into another app.

  5. How not to get scammed
    This is where ppl actually “mess things up”:

    • Only pay people you personally know
    • Do not pay “sellers” who say “we only take Venmo friends & family”
    • If someone says “I’ll send you extra and you refund the difference,” just close the convo
    • No “verification” payments, no “I sent you a code, tell me what it is” nonsense

  6. Quick mental checklist before you hit Pay
    Before you send money, stop and check:

    • Username spelling
    • Profile pic looks like the real person
    • Amount is correct (Venmo has no “oops” button)
    • Privacy is set how you want for this one payment

  7. What to monitor after setup
    Once you’re up and running:

    • Turn on Venmo notifications for payments and logins
    • Turn on alerts in your bank app for withdrawals/transfers
    • Review Venmo transactions at least once a week, even if you barely use it

If you want, you can post the parts you’re stuck on like “they’re asking me for X, is that normal?” and ppl can sanity check each screen with you.