Withdrawing Cash Without Inserting Your Card: How Cardless ATM Withdrawal Works

Cardless ATM withdrawal lets you get cash using your phone instead of inserting a physical card. This method reduces skimming risk and is growing in availability at compatible ATMs.

Published September 15, 2026 · 2 min read

Withdrawing Cash Without Inserting Your Card: How Cardless ATM Withdrawal Works

How cardless withdrawal works

Cardless ATM withdrawal lets a user request cash through a banking or wallet app, which generates a one-time code or activates the phone's NFC to authorize the withdrawal at a compatible ATM, without inserting a physical card. You open the app, select the amount, and receive a code or NFC prompt. At the ATM, you enter the code or tap your phone to the reader, and the machine dispenses cash as it would with a card.

Why cardless withdrawal reduces skimming risk

This method reduces the risk of card-skimming devices at the card slot, since no card is physically inserted into the machine. Skimmers capture card details when the magnetic stripe or chip passes through a tampered slot.

No card insertion means no opportunity for a skimmer to read your card data
The one-time code or NFC authorization cannot be reused for another withdrawal
Your physical card remains in your wallet or at home

Availability depends on both ATM and app support

Cardless withdrawal availability depends on both the ATM operator supporting the feature and the user's wallet or bank app supporting it for that ATM network. Not all ATMs support it, and not all apps work with every cardless-enabled ATM. Check your app's list of compatible ATM networks before relying on this method, especially when traveling.

What happens if you lose your phone

If a phone is lost, cardless-withdrawal ability depends on the phone or account itself being secured with a PIN or biometric lock, similar to how losing a physical card requires reporting and freezing it. A thief would need to unlock your phone and access the banking or wallet app to request a withdrawal. Most apps require additional authentication, such as a fingerprint or face scan, before generating a withdrawal code.

Using cardless withdrawal with Nexus Pay

Cardless withdrawal support for Nexus Pay depends on the ATM operator offering the feature for Visa cardless transactions and the Nexus Pay app supporting that network. Because the Nexus Pay card is funded from a crypto wallet across six networks, you can request cash without converting crypto to fiat beforehand, but the ATM itself must support cardless access. If cardless is not available, the physical Nexus Pay Visa card works at any ATM that accepts Visa.

Common questions

Do all ATMs support cardless withdrawal?

No, cardless withdrawal depends on the ATM operator supporting the feature. Availability is growing, especially at major bank ATM networks in urban areas, but many standalone and older machines do not support it yet.

Is cardless withdrawal more secure than using a physical card?

Cardless withdrawal avoids the risk of card skimming at the ATM slot, since no card is inserted. However, it requires securing your phone and app with a PIN or biometric lock. Both methods are secure if used properly, but cardless removes one specific risk.

What do I need to use cardless withdrawal?

You need a banking or wallet app that supports cardless withdrawal for the ATM network you plan to use, and a phone with NFC or the ability to display a one-time code. The ATM itself must also support cardless transactions, which you can usually confirm in the app or on the ATM screen.

Can I use cardless withdrawal abroad?

This depends on whether the ATM operator in the country you are visiting supports cardless withdrawal for your card network, and whether your app works with that operator. Cardless availability is less common outside major cities and developed markets, so carrying a physical card as a backup is advisable.

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