Facebook offers several options for making payments directly through the platform, whether you want to buy advertising, make purchases in Marketplace, donate to causes, or pay for other services. To do so, you need to enable a payment method in your account settings. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to set up a payment method on Facebook.
Overview
Facebook allows you to enable the following payment methods:
- Credit or debit card
- PayPal account
- Facebook Pay (for payments between users)
The process for adding each payment method is similar. You’ll need to go to your account settings, find the payments section, and enter your card or account details. Facebook will verify your information before enabling payments from that source.
Requirements
To enable a payment method on Facebook, you’ll need:
- An active Facebook account
- A valid credit/debit card, PayPal account, or Facebook Pay connected to your account
- To meet any age restrictions for payments in your country
The payment methods may have additional requirements, such as:
- Credit/debit card – Card number, expiration date, CVV security code, billing address
- PayPal – PayPal email address and password
- Facebook Pay – Valid debit card or bank account connected to Facebook
Adding a Credit or Debit Card
Adding a credit or debit card is the most common way to enable payments on Facebook. Here are the steps:
- Go to your Facebook account settings page and click “Payments”.
- Under “Payment Methods” click “Add Payment Method”.
- Select “Add Card” and enter your card details:
- Card number
- Expiration date
- Security code (CVV)
- Billing address
- Agree to Facebook’s terms for card payments.
- Click “Add Card” to submit your details.
Facebook will process your card and verify the information. Once approved, your card will be activated for payments.
Tips for Adding Your Card
- Make sure your billing address matches what your bank has on file.
- You can add multiple cards and switch between them later.
- Facebook does not store full card numbers or security codes on its servers.
Connecting Your PayPal Account
If you prefer to use PayPal, you can easily link your account to Facebook:
- Go to your Facebook account settings and click “Payments”.
- Under “Payment Methods” select “Add Payment Method”.
- Choose “PayPal” and enter your PayPal email address and password.
- Review the authorization permissions and click “Continue” to approve.
- Facebook will redirect you to PayPal to confirm the authorization.
- Log in to PayPal if required and click “Agree” to allow Facebook payments.
When you return to Facebook, your PayPal account will be enabled. You can now select it for checkout in the future.
PayPal Account Tips
- The PayPal email and password must match your existing PayPal account.
- You can remove the authorization at any time from your PayPal settings.
- Facebook does not store your PayPal password. You will need to log in each time.
Enabling Facebook Pay
Facebook Pay allows you to send money to friends or pay for items directly on Facebook. To use it, you need:
- A Visa or Mastercard debit card
- A bank account connected to your Facebook account
Here are the steps to enable Facebook Pay:
- Go to “Settings” and open the “Facebook Pay” tab.
- Choose “Get Started” and select either your debit card or bank account.
- Follow the prompts to enter your details and confirm your identity.
- Review and accept the Facebook Pay terms.
- Facebook will verify your card/account and activate Facebook Pay.
Once enabled, you can access Facebook Pay from your News Feed or in Messenger to send money or make purchases.
Facebook Pay Tips
- You must have two-factor authentication enabled on your Facebook account.
- Facebook Pay is only available in certain countries and currencies.
- There are daily and monthly transaction limits in place as a security measure.
Managing Your Payment Methods
You can view, update, remove, and switch between payment methods as needed:
- Go to “Settings” and click “Payment Methods” to see your options.
- Click the pencil icon to edit a card or PayPal details.
- Use the trash icon to delete a payment method.
- Click the radio button next to the desired default payment.
It’s a good idea to check your enabled payment methods occasionally and remove any old or unused options. You can always add them again later if needed.
Troubleshooting Payment Methods
If you’re having trouble enabling a payment on Facebook, here are some things to try:
- Make sure all account details like your address, name, and birthday are correct.
- Double check that card or account numbers are entered properly.
- Verify account passwords and logins for PayPal or Facebook Pay.
- Check for typos in any information provided during setup.
- Contact your bank or card issuer to ensure the card is valid.
- Update to the latest version of the Facebook app or try a different browser.
You can also reach out to Facebook Support from within the Payments settings. They can look into any issues approving payments or enabling payment accounts.
Using Your Enabled Payment Methods
Once you successfully enable a payment on Facebook, you can use it to:
- Purchase ads – Boost posts, run ads, and fund ad accounts.
- Buy on Marketplace – Purchase items from sellers and process orders.
- Support causes – Donate to nonprofits, social justice groups, and fundraisers.
- Pay for services – Subscribe to news outlets or learning programs.
- Send Facebook Pay – Transfer money to friends right on Facebook.
When checking out, look for the option to pay with your stored payment method. Facebook will also notify you when payments are processed using that account.
Payment Security on Facebook
Facebook uses industry best practices to keep payments safe, including:
- Encrypting all payment information
- Obscuring and securely storing card numbers
- Requiring CVV codes and other verification
- Using authorization holds to validate cards
- Enabling two-factor authentication
- Providing transaction receipts and history
However, you should always use strong and unique passwords, update your account information, and monitor your payment history periodically. Contact Facebook Support immediately if you see any unauthorized charges.
Deactivating Payment Methods
If you no longer wish to make payments through Facebook, you can deactivate payment accounts:
- Go to “Settings” then “Payment Methods”
- Click the trash icon next to any payment source to delete it
- Confirm that you want to remove the payment method
- The card or account will no longer be available for Facebook payments
Keep in mind that any pending transactions will still process even if you remove the payment. You can also remove authorizations from the PayPal or Facebook Pay side.
Conclusion
Enabling payments on Facebook is easy once you know the steps—just add your card, PayPal, or Facebook Pay. Be sure to keep payment information up-to-date, use strong security practices, and monitor your transactions regularly. With a valid payment enabled, you can seamlessly make purchases, donations, and payments across the Facebook ecosystem.