Venmo does not automatically send reminders for payment requests, but the person who sent the request can manually remind you
When someone sends you a Venmo payment request, they can see that you have received it, but Venmo itself does not send you automatic follow-up messages. The person requesting payment has to choose to send you a reminder — it is not something that happens on a schedule. This means if you ignore a request, you will not get pestered by the app itself, but the person who sent it might reach out to you directly through Venmo or another way.
The request stays visible in your Venmo account until you either pay it or decline it. You can see all your pending requests by opening the app and looking at your activity feed or the dedicated requests section. The person who sent the request can see that it is still waiting, and they can choose to send you a reminder message through Venmo at any time.
Key Takeaways
- Venmo does not send automatic reminders for unpaid payment requests on its own schedule.
- The person who sent the request can manually send you a reminder message through Venmo whenever they choose.
- Payment requests remain visible in your Venmo account until you pay them or decline them.
- You will not receive notifications from Venmo about an old unpaid request unless the sender actively reminds you.
- The sender can see the status of their request in real time and knows whether you have seen it.
How the sender can remind you about a request
If someone has sent you a payment request and wants to remind you, they can open the request in their Venmo app and tap the option to send a reminder. This sends you a notification and a message. The sender controls when and how often they do this — there is no automatic schedule. Some people send one reminder after a few days; others might send several over time.
The sender can also straightforward message you through Venmo's chat feature or contact you outside the app entirely. Venmo does not prevent them from doing either. So while the app itself is not sending reminders, the person requesting payment has full control over how they follow up with you.
What notifications you will receive
When someone first sends you a payment request, you will usually get a notification on your phone or in the Venmo app, depending on your notification settings. After that initial alert, you will not hear from Venmo again unless the sender manually sends a reminder. You can control your notification settings in the app to decide whether you want to be notified about new requests, reminders, or messages.
If you turn off notifications for payment requests, you will still see the request in your account when you open the app, but you will not get a ping on your phone. This is useful if you find reminders annoying but still want to handle your requests when you check the app yourself.
How long a request stays in your account
There is no time limit on how long a payment request can sit in your Venmo account. A request from months ago will still be there unless you pay it or decline it. This means old requests do not disappear on their own, and the person who sent it can still see that it is unpaid.
If you want to clear your account, you can decline requests you do not intend to pay. Declining a request removes it from your pending list and notifies the sender that you have declined. Paying the request removes it from both accounts and marks it as complete.
The difference between a request and a payment
A payment request is when someone asks you to send them money — they are waiting for you to take action. A payment is when you send money directly to someone without them asking. If you send a payment directly, the other person does not have to do anything; the money goes to them right away (or within one to three business days, depending on their bank).
Payment requests are useful when you are not sure of someone's Venmo username or when you want to give them the choice to decline. Payments are faster if you already know who you are sending money to and you are certain they want it.
Why someone might use payment requests instead of direct payments
People use payment requests for several reasons. If you split a bill with friends and want each person to pay their share, sending individual requests makes it clear who owes what. If you are lending money and want a record that the person agreed to pay you back, a request creates that record in the app. Requests also let you include a note explaining what the money is for, which is helpful for both people.
Another reason is safety: if you are not completely sure someone wants to receive money from you, a request lets them decline without awkwardness. The request sits there until they decide what to do.
What you can do if you are tired of seeing a request
If a payment request has been sitting in your account for a long time and you do not plan to pay it, you can decline it. This removes it from your pending list and tells the sender you are not going to pay. Declining is different from ignoring — it is an active choice that the sender will see.
If you do plan to pay but have not gotten around to it, you can pay the request at any time. Open the request, review the amount and note, and tap to confirm payment. The money will be sent from your Venmo balance or linked bank account, depending on your settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Venmo send me a reminder if I ignore a payment request for weeks?
No. Venmo itself does not send automatic reminders. Only the person who sent the request can manually remind you. If they do not send a reminder, you will not hear from the app about it.
Can I turn off notifications for payment requests?
Yes. Open your Venmo settings, find the notifications section, and toggle off alerts for payment requests or reminders. You will still see the request in your account when you open the app, but you will not get a notification on your phone.
What happens if I decline a payment request?
The request is removed from your pending list and the sender is notified that you declined. You can still change your mind later and pay them directly, but the original request will be gone from both accounts.
How many times can someone remind me about a request?
There is no limit. The sender can send as many reminders as they want, whenever they want. If reminders become excessive, you can block the person or adjust your notification settings.
Does a payment request expire after a certain amount of time?
No. Payment requests do not expire. A request from a year ago will still be in your account unless you pay it or decline it. The sender can still see it and remind you about it.