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Test Venmo in sandbox
Last updated: June 26, 2026
DOCS
CURRENT
Test the Pay with Venmo feature in the sandbox environment before going live.
Getting started
- Start by following the instructions in the PayPal sandbox testing guide.
- During the test phase, use the PayPal sandbox endpoints and your PayPal sandbox account details in each PayPal API request that you make.
- Simulate the Venmo button in the PayPal sandbox, and add the
buyer-country=USparameter to your JS SDK code.
Venmo is only available in the US.
Use cases
You can test the Venmo experience on a desktop or mobile web browser. You can expect the following experience in the sandbox:
- If you are testing on a desktop, you will experience the Venmo web login flow.
- If you are testing on the mobile web with the Venmo app installed, you will experience the Venmo app-switch flow.
- If you are testing on the mobile web without the Venmo app installed, you will experience the Venmo web login flow.
In the production environment, consumers will experience QR code-based checkout on their desktop browser. Sandbox testing of the desktop QR code is currently unavailable.
Desktop web experience
Mobile web experience with Venmo app installed
Mobile web experience with Venmo app not installed
Venmo features supported in sandbox
The following Venmo features are supported for testing in the sandbox environment:
- App-switch checkout flow
- Web login based checkout flow suitable for non-US developer testing
- One-time checkout
- Vault setup
RISK | INSUFICIENT_FUNDSRISK | ACCOUNT_CLOSEDRISK | ACCOUNT_FROZENRISK | SUSPECTED_FRAUDRISK | GENERIC_DECLINE
Test error scenarios
You can test certain error scenarios in the sandbox using the specific amounts in the following table. If any other amount value is used, responses will result in a SUCCESS.
| Amount | Error scenario |
|---|---|
| 12.34 | INSUFFICIENT_FUNDS |
| 21.43 | ACCOUNT_CLOSED |
| 11.45 | ACCOUNT_FROZEN |
| 10.23 | SUSPECTED_FRAUD |
| 13.42 | GENERIC_DECLINE |
| Other | SUCCESS |
Venmo features not supported in sandbox
The following Venmo features are not supported for testing in the sandbox environment:
- Vault subsequent purchases
- Self-service test account creation
- Post-purchase Venmo experience with feed and ledger
- Settlement and disbursement
- Disputes
- Merchant reporting