Yes, you can send money on Instagram using Meta Pay and in-chat payments, making it simple to pay friends, donate, or buy items without leaving the app. It’s not as advanced as PayPal or Venmo, but for quick, casual transactions, it works well if both parties are set up correctly.
That said, many people still hesitate—and for good reason. There are more than 200 million businesses on Instagram, yet only a small percentage are aware of these in-app payment features, and an even smaller number know how to use them. This guide covers how Instagram payments work, how to use them safely, and what Meta Pay actually protects.
How to Send Money Through Instagram
The platform gives you a few ways to send money, depending on your setup. Some are built into the app, others rely on outside tools. Whether you’re paying for a product, tipping someone, or handling a casual transaction, it’s important to understand how each method works—and what protection you’re actually getting.
The three main options to send money via Instagram are: direct payments in chat, Instagram Shops checkout, and third-party payment links (Venmo, Cash App, PayPal). Each comes with its own pros, limitations, and safety tips.
Method 1: Through “Payment in Chat” Requests
Instagram’s most direct method is “Payment in Chat,” but it’s only available to business accounts. If a seller is payment-enabled, they can send you a request in your DMs. You’ll then pay using Meta Pay, and the transaction stays inside the app.
Once you complete the payment, the seller receives a confirmation and can mark the order as fulfilled. It’s simple and relatively secure, but it’s not available everywhere or to all users. If you don’t see the option, chances are the seller doesn’t have Meta Pay set up or your region isn’t supported.
This is the only built-in method that the platform officially supports, and it’s tightly linked to Meta Pay.
Method 2: Payment via Instagram Shops Checkout
If the seller has an official Instagram Shop set up using Commerce Manager, you can purchase directly from their posts, stories, reels, or their shop profile. Just tap the product, proceed to checkout, and pay using Meta Pay—no need to leave the app unless the seller uses external checkout. Some of the highest-paid Instagram influencers use this method to sell merchandise.
This is the smoothest option for buying physical products from verified businesses. Plus, if you complete the payment entirely within the app, your purchase is covered by Meta’s Purchase Protection Policy. That means you’re more likely to get help if something goes wrong.
However, it doesn’t apply to services or sales that redirect you to another website.
Method 3: Using Third-Party Apps
When Meta Pay isn’t available—or when someone isn’t set up with a shop—people often rely on third-party apps like PayPal, Venmo, or Cash App. They’ll share a payment link through DMs, and you’ll complete the payment outside Instagram.
It’s flexible and convenient, but be careful: Instagram won’t protect these transactions. There’s no built-in tracking, and you’re on your own if something goes wrong. If you use this route, make sure the payment link is legitimate and only pay people you trust.
Apps like PayPal do offer their own dispute systems, but it’s still a riskier option overall, especially for anything expensive or urgent.
How to Accept Payment on Instagram
If you’re learning how to accept money on Instagram—whether for products, services, or fees—you’ve got three main options, each with different levels of support and risk.
- Meta Pay in Chat: Business accounts can request payments directly in DMs. Buyers pay with a card or PayPal using Meta Pay, and the order stays within Instagram, with basic tracking and confirmation.
- Instagram Shop with Checkout: For physical products, set up a shop through Commerce Manager. Buyers can check out through posts or your shop profile, and payments are protected, as long as the entire transaction happens in-app.
- Off-Platform Payment Links: You can share PayPal, Venmo, or Cash App links in DMs. This gives flexibility but no protection. If something goes wrong, the platform won’t step in.
How to Set Up Meta Pay
To send money on Instagram, you’ll need to activate Meta Pay. The setup is quick, but the option isn’t available to everyone yet – Meta is still rolling it out based on region and account type. Here’s how to check if it’s available to you:
- Open the app and tap your profile picture in the bottom right.
- Tap the menu (three lines) and go to Accounts Centre.
- After this open Meta Pay and insert your card.
Or:
- Open the settings and find Orders and Payments.
- From there, you can:
- Add a payment method (credit/debit card or PayPal).
- Create a PIN for added protection.
- Enable biometric login (Face ID or fingerprint) if your device supports it.
- Review your order history and receipts.
If you’ve already set up Meta Pay through Facebook, it might carry over your payment details automatically. Still, it’s a good idea to double-check what’s saved, especially if you plan to use Instagram for transactions.
Keep in mind: if the “Orders and Payments” section isn’t there, Meta Pay likely isn’t supported on your account yet. Their payment features are still limited to specific account types and regions.
Purchase Protection and Disputes
Meta Pay does offer buyer protection, but only when purchases happen directly through Instagram checkout or in-chat payments using Meta Pay. Even when using Meta Pay, sellers have raised some concerns. Based on user feedback, Meta’s dispute system often favors buyers. One big issue is that you can’t attach tracking numbers to payments made in chat, which weakens your defense if there’s a claim.
If you’re a seller and want more protection, it’s better to use an Instagram Shop with checkout and tracked shipping. This adds more structure to the transaction and improves your chances in the event of a dispute.
Conclusion
Now that we have answered the question “Can you send money on Instagram?”, you can try it out, make a purchase, or simply donate some money. The platform supports payments through Meta Pay in chat and Shops checkout, but these features are best for light transactions, not full-on business operations. Seller protection is limited, and disputes don’t always go in your favor, so it’s smart to keep records and stick with business tools.
If you’re using Instagram to grow a brand, social proof goes a long way. A higher follower count builds credibility, draws attention, and can help convert more visitors into real customers. Consider growing your profile with quality followers to strengthen trust and stand out.
