It seems there might be a slight misunderstanding in your request. Currently, Venmo and PayPal are separate platforms and do not have a direct feature to request money from one to the other. They operate as distinct entities, although both are owned by the same parent company, PayPal Holdings, Inc.
However, don't worry! While you can't directly request money from a PayPal account using Venmo, there are several workarounds and alternative methods you can use to achieve a similar outcome. This comprehensive guide will walk you through these methods step-by-step.
Let's start with the first step: Understanding the Limitation.
Step 1: Acknowledging the Indirect Nature of the Process
- Understanding the Separation: It's crucial to understand that Venmo and PayPal maintain separate user bases and fund management systems. There isn't a built-in button within Venmo that says "Request from PayPal."
- Why the Confusion? Many users assume interoperability due to the shared ownership. However, for various technical and strategic reasons, direct fund requests between the platforms are not currently supported.
- Our Goal: Our aim is to explore the indirect ways you can effectively get money from someone who primarily uses PayPal into your Venmo account.
Now that we've established the limitation, let's move on to the practical methods.
Step 2: Exploring the Primary Workaround: Requesting via a Shared Contact
This is often the most straightforward approach if you have the person's contact information linked to both their PayPal and Venmo accounts (typically their phone number or email).
Sub-step 2.1: Initiating the Request in Venmo
- Open the Venmo App: Launch the Venmo application on your mobile device and log in to your account.
- Tap the "+" Icon: Look for the "+" button, usually located in the top right or bottom right corner of the screen. Tap it.
- Search for Your Contact: You'll see options to pay or request. Select "Request." Now, search for the person you want to request money from. You can search by their name, phone number, or email address.
- Select the Contact: Once you find the correct person, tap on their name or profile picture to select them.
Sub-step 2.2: Entering the Request Details
- Enter the Amount: On the next screen, you'll be prompted to enter the amount of money you are requesting. Use the numerical keypad to input the desired sum.
- Add a Note (Optional but Recommended): In the "What's it for?" field, briefly describe why you are requesting the money. This helps the other person understand the request and can prevent confusion. For example, you could write "For dinner last night" or "Contribution to the group gift."
- Tap "Request": Once you've entered the amount and the note (if applicable), tap the blue "Request" button at the bottom of the screen.
Sub-step 2.3: The Recipient's Perspective
- Notification: The person you requested from will receive a notification within their Venmo app.
- Review and Payment: They can then review your request and choose to pay it using their linked payment methods within Venmo (which could include their bank account, debit card, or Venmo balance).
Important Note: This method relies on the person having a Venmo account linked to the contact information you used. If they only have PayPal, this direct Venmo request will not reach them.
Step 3: Utilizing the "Pay" Function and Asking Them to Send
While you can't directly request from PayPal via Venmo, you can use the "Pay" function in Venmo to prompt the other person to send you money through their preferred method (which might be PayPal, requiring them to then send it to your linked bank account or Venmo). This is more of a polite nudge.
Sub-step 3.1: Initiating a Zero-Amount "Payment" with a Note
- Follow Steps 2.1 (Initiating the Request in Venmo) to find your contact.
- Enter "$0.00" as the amount. This will essentially create a notification without a monetary request.
- Crucially, in the "What's it for?" field, clearly explain that you'd like them to send you money via PayPal (or their preferred method) to your linked account. For example: "Hey! Could you please send me [Amount] via PayPal to [Your Email Address or Phone Number linked to PayPal]? Thanks!"
- Tap "Pay": Even though it's a zero amount, tapping "Pay" will send this notification with your message to the contact.
Sub-step 3.2: The Follow-Up
- Communication is Key: This method relies on the other person reading your note and understanding your request to send via PayPal.
- Consider a Direct Message: You might also want to follow up with a separate text message or email to ensure they see your Venmo notification and your request.
This method is less direct and relies on the recipient taking the initiative to send money through PayPal.
Step 4: The Bank Transfer Bridge
This method involves one of you transferring money from PayPal to a bank account and then from that bank account to Venmo (or vice versa, depending on who holds the funds initially).
Sub-step 4.1: Transferring from PayPal to a Bank Account
- Log in to your PayPal Account: Access your PayPal account through the website or the mobile app.
- Navigate to "Wallet" or "Balance": Look for the section that displays your PayPal balance.
- Select "Transfer Money" or "Withdraw Funds": The exact wording may vary slightly.
- Choose Your Linked Bank Account: Ensure you have a bank account linked to your PayPal account. Select it as the destination for the transfer.
- Enter the Amount: Specify the amount of money you want to transfer.
- Review and Confirm: Double-check the details and confirm the transfer.
Sub-step 4.2: Transferring from the Bank Account to Venmo
- Open the Venmo App: Launch the Venmo application and log in.
- Tap the Menu Icon: This is usually represented by three horizontal lines or a profile icon in the top corner.
- Select "Settings" or "Bank & Cards": Navigate to the section where you manage your linked payment methods.
- Select Your Linked Bank Account: Ensure the same bank account you transferred to from PayPal is linked to your Venmo account.
- Tap "Add or Transfer": Look for an option to add funds or initiate a transfer.
- Select "Add Money to Venmo": Choose this option.
- Enter the Amount: Input the amount you want to transfer from your bank account to your Venmo balance.
- Confirm the Transfer: Review the details and confirm the transfer.
This method involves a slightly longer process and might take a business day or two for the funds to clear both platforms.
Step 5: Asking the Other Person to Send to a Shared Bank Account
If you and the other person share a bank account, this can be a convenient intermediary step.
- Request via Other Communication: Ask the person to send the desired amount from their PayPal account to the shared bank account.
- Transfer from the Shared Bank Account to Your Venmo: Once the funds are in the shared account, you can then transfer them to your personal Venmo account using the steps outlined in Sub-step 4.2.
This method requires trust and a pre-existing shared bank account.
Step 6: Using a Third-Party Service (Potentially Involving Fees)
While not a direct "request," some third-party services might facilitate moving funds between different platforms. However, these often come with fees and you should research their security and reliability thoroughly before using them.
We generally recommend sticking to the official methods outlined above for security and cost-effectiveness.
Step 7: Clearly Communicating Your Needs
Regardless of the method you choose, clear and polite communication with the person you need money from is essential. Explain that you prefer to receive the funds via Venmo and suggest the most convenient workaround for both of you.
Now, let's address some frequently asked questions:
How to: Link a Bank Account to Venmo?
Quick Answer: Open the Venmo app, tap the menu icon (usually three lines or your profile picture), select "Settings" or "Bank & Cards," tap "Add bank or card," and follow the on-screen instructions to link your bank account using your routing and account numbers.
How to: Link a Bank Account to PayPal?
Quick Answer: Log in to your PayPal account on the website or app, go to "Wallet," click "Link a bank account," and follow the instructions to enter your bank's routing and account numbers. PayPal may require you to confirm small test deposits.
How to: Check if Someone Has a Venmo Account?
Quick Answer: When you tap the "+" icon in the Venmo app and select "Request" or "Pay," you can search for their name, phone number, or email address. If they have a Venmo account linked to that information, their profile should appear in the search results.
How to: Transfer Money from PayPal to a Debit Card?
Quick Answer: In your PayPal "Wallet," select "Transfer Money," choose your linked debit card as the destination, enter the amount, and confirm the transfer. Note that there might be fees and processing times associated with instant transfers to debit cards.
How to: Transfer Money from Venmo to a Bank Account?
Quick Answer: On the Venmo app, tap the menu icon, select "Transfer to Bank," enter the amount you want to transfer from your Venmo balance, choose your linked bank account, and tap "Next" and then "Transfer." Standard transfers are usually free and take 1-3 business days.
How to: Find Someone on Venmo Without Their Exact Username?
Quick Answer: You can usually find someone on Venmo using their name, phone number, or email address if they have linked that information to their Venmo account and have their privacy settings set to allow it.
How to: See Your Venmo Balance?
Quick Answer: Your Venmo balance is typically displayed prominently at the top of the main screen when you open the Venmo app.
How to: Cancel a Venmo Request?
Quick Answer: Open the Venmo app, tap the clock icon (for your transaction history), find the pending request, tap on it, and then select "Cancel Request."
How to: Secure Your Venmo Account?
Quick Answer: Enable two-factor authentication in your Venmo settings, use a strong and unique password, be cautious of suspicious messages or requests, and regularly review your transaction history.
How to: Contact Venmo Support?
Quick Answer: You can usually find help and contact options within the Venmo app's settings or help center. You can also visit the Venmo website for support resources and contact methods.
While directly requesting from PayPal via Venmo isn't possible, by understanding the limitations and utilizing these alternative methods, you can effectively manage receiving funds from individuals who primarily use PayPal. Remember that clear communication is key to a smooth process!