How Do I Set Up Autopay for a Recurring Invoice?
Autopay automatically charges a client's saved payment method for each invoice in a recurring series, so you don't have to collect payment manually each cycle.
Requires an active Canopy Payments account under an Organization entity type (LLC, Corporation, or similar). Not available for Individual/Sole Proprietor accounts.
Autopay keeps recurring engagements — retainers, subscription-style billing — moving on schedule without chasing clients for payment every cycle.
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Before You Start
Autopay is only available to Organization accounts (LLCs, Corporations, and similar eligible entities). Individual/Sole Proprietor accounts can't save client payment information, so Autopay isn't available on those accounts.
You'll also need a Recurring Invoice already set up — Autopay applies to an existing recurring series, it doesn't create one.
Transitioning to an Organization Account
If you currently operate under an Individual or Sole Proprietor account and require features like autopay or saving payment methods, consider transitioning to an Organization entity type. Here are the steps:
Form your LLC or register as a Corporation or other eligible entity.
Update your business bank account to align with the new business entity.
Cancel your existing Canopy Payments account through Settings > Billing Settings.
Reapply using the legal information and bank details of your new entity.
Gain approval to access advanced features such as recurring payments with saved payment methods.
Set Up Autopay
Click the Global + button and select Payment from the slide-in menu.
Search for and select the Client to apply the payment to.
Select Autopay from the Payment type dropdown.
A recurring invoice must already be created for the client. To learn how to set up a recurring invoice, see How Do I Create and Preview a Recurring Invoice?
Choose a recurring invoice in the Select recurring series box.
This only applies the series to future invoices. Previously sent invoices still need a one-time payment entry to pay off.
Use the Pay on dropdown to charge the payment on either the Due Date or the Invoice Date.
Click Continue.
Select a Payment method for the payment.
Default payment methods are selected automatically.
To add a new payment method, see Saving Client Payment Information.
Click Continue.
Confirm the payment details and click Schedule.
Troubleshooting
Autopay toggle won't activate
A Client Name must be assigned to the invoice before Autopay can be turned on.
Can't add Time Entries to an invoice
Time Entries can't be added to invoices with Autopay active.
Surcharging isn't available
Autopay doesn't support surcharging. You'll assume all processing fees for these payments.
Autopay option is missing entirely
Your account is likely an Individual/Sole Proprietor entity. Autopay requires an Organization entity type — see Transitioning to an Organization Account for Canopy Payments.
Related Articles
Transitioning to an Organization Account for Canopy Payments (suggested — not yet written)
Summary
Autopay charges a client's saved payment method automatically for each invoice in a recurring series, but it's only available to Organization accounts enrolled in Canopy Payments. Set it up from the Global + menu once you have a recurring invoice and a saved payment method in place.
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