You unlink your bank account from Plaid through the app or service that connected it, not through Plaid itself
Plaid is the middleman between your bank and the apps you use — it does not hold your account information or control the connection. When you want to disconnect, you go back to the app that asked for your bank details in the first place. That app has a settings page where you can revoke Plaid's access to your account. Plaid will then stop seeing your transactions and balances, though your bank account itself remains unchanged.
The exact steps depend on which app you are using. A budgeting app, a payment service, a lending platform — each one stores the connection differently and each one has its own way to break it. But the principle is the same: find the settings, locate the connected bank account, and disconnect it there.
Key Takeaways
- You disconnect through the app that connected to Plaid, not through Plaid's website or a Plaid app.
- Most apps keep the bank connection in account settings, security settings, or a "connected accounts" page.
- Disconnecting stops the app from seeing your transactions and balances, but does not affect your actual bank account.
- If you cannot find the disconnect option in an app, contact that app's support — they know where they put it.
- Plaid itself has no way to revoke access; you must go through the original app.
Where to find the disconnect option in common apps
Most financial apps follow a similar pattern. Open the app, go to settings or account preferences, and look for a section called "connected accounts," "linked banks," "bank connections," or "security." The exact name varies, but the idea is the same — it is where the app shows you which banks it can see.
In that section, you will see your bank listed. Next to it, there is usually a button or menu option to disconnect, remove, or unlink. Tap or click that, and the app will ask you to confirm. Once you confirm, Plaid loses access when ready. The app can no longer pull your balance or transaction history.
If you use multiple apps connected to the same bank account through Plaid, you will need to disconnect each one separately. Disconnecting from your budgeting app does not disconnect from your investment app or your payment service. Each app manages its own connection.
What happens to your data after you disconnect
When you unlink your bank account, Plaid stops being able to see new information. It cannot pull fresh balances or new transactions. However, the app itself may keep historical data — transactions it already downloaded before you disconnected. That depends on the app's own data retention policy, not on Plaid.
Your actual bank account is not affected at all. The money stays where it is. No recurring payments are cancelled. No automatic transfers stop. You are only cutting off the app's ability to look at your account going forward.
If you want the app to forget the historical data it collected, you may need to delete your account with that app entirely, not just disconnect the bank. Check the app's privacy policy or contact their support to understand what they keep and for how long.
If you cannot find the disconnect button
Some apps hide the option or name it something unexpected. If you have looked through settings and account pages and cannot find it, try searching within the app for "bank," "Plaid," or "connected." Many apps have a search function in settings.
If that does not work, contact the app's support team directly. Tell them you want to disconnect your bank account. They can either walk you through the steps or do it on your behalf. This is a common request, and they will know the answer.
Do not try to revoke access through your bank's website or through Plaid's website. Your bank does not control Plaid connections — Plaid is a separate service. And Plaid's website has no option to disconnect on your behalf because Plaid does not know which app you want to disconnect from.
Revoking Plaid access through your bank (an alternative)
Some banks let you revoke third-party access directly from your online banking portal. This is a backup option if you cannot find the disconnect button in the app itself. Log into your bank's website, look for settings related to connected apps, third-party access, or authorized services, and see if Plaid is listed there.
If your bank shows Plaid in that list, you can revoke access from the bank's side. This will break the connection when ready, and the app will no longer be able to pull your information. However, not all banks offer this option, and the location varies widely. Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo all have it, but smaller banks may not.
Revoking through your bank is effective, but it is slower than disconnecting through the app. The app may not realize the connection is broken for a few hours or even a day. If you need the disconnect to take effect right away, disconnecting through the app itself is faster.
What to do if the app says it cannot disconnect
Occasionally an app will show an error when you try to disconnect, or it will say the connection is already broken. This usually means a technical glitch, not a real problem. Try disconnecting again, or close the app completely and reopen it before trying again.
If the error persists, contact the app's support team. They can check on their end whether the connection is actually still active and can force a disconnect if needed. Be ready to tell them your bank name and the email address you used to sign up.
In the meantime, you can also revoke access through your bank's website as a backup. That will stop the app from seeing your account even if the app's disconnect button is not working.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does disconnecting from Plaid stop automatic payments or transfers?
No. Disconnecting only stops the app from seeing your account. Any recurring payments, bill pay, or transfers you set up through that app will continue unless you cancel them separately within the app or through your bank.
Can I reconnect the same bank account later?
Yes. You can disconnect and reconnect as many times as you want. The next time you want to use the app with your bank, you will go through the connection process again, and Plaid will ask for your bank login credentials.
If I disconnect from one app, does it disconnect from all apps?
No. Each app has its own separate connection to Plaid. Disconnecting from your budgeting app does not affect your investment app or payment service. You must disconnect each one individually.
Will the app delete my historical data when I disconnect?
Not necessarily. The app may keep transactions and balances it already downloaded. If you want the app to forget that data, you may need to delete your account with the app entirely. Check their privacy policy or ask their support team.
What if I disconnect and then the app asks me to reconnect?
That is normal. Some apps periodically ask users to reconnect for security reasons. You can reconnect the same way you did originally, or you can choose not to if you no longer want to use that app with your bank.