Disconnect your bank from Plaid in your app's settings, not through Plaid itself
When you want to stop Plaid from accessing your bank account, you disconnect it where you connected it — inside the app or service that uses Plaid, not on Plaid's own website. Plaid is the middleman that moves data between your bank and the app you're using. Once you revoke access in that app's settings, Plaid can no longer pull your account information, and the connection breaks.
The exact steps depend on which app you're using — Venmo, Mint, a budgeting tool, a lending platform — but the principle is the same. You're looking for a settings menu that shows connected accounts or linked banks, then selecting the option to remove or disconnect that specific bank.
Key Takeaways
- Disconnect Plaid through the app or service that uses it, not through Plaid's website directly.
- Look for "Connected Accounts," "Linked Banks," or "Account Settings" in the app's menu to find the disconnect option.
- After you disconnect, Plaid stops receiving new data from your bank, but the app may retain data it already collected.
- If you cannot find the disconnect option in an app, contact that app's support — they control the Plaid connection on their end.
- Disconnecting Plaid does not affect your bank account itself or your relationship with your bank.
Where to find the disconnect option in common apps
Most apps that use Plaid put the disconnect button in settings or account management. Open the app, go to Settings or Account, then look for a section called "Connected Accounts," "Linked Banks," "Financial Connections," or "Integrations." You should see your bank listed there with an option to remove, disconnect, or unlink it.
In Venmo, this is under Settings > Payment Methods. In Mint (before it shut down), it was Settings > Accounts. In budgeting apps like YNAB or Rocket Money, it's usually under Accounts or Connected Institutions. The label varies, but the location is always in the app's settings or account area, never on Plaid's own site.
If the app has a web version and a mobile app, the disconnect option may appear in both places. You only need to disconnect once — doing it in one location removes the connection everywhere.
What happens to your data after you disconnect
When you disconnect Plaid, you stop Plaid from pulling new data from your bank going forward. The app can no longer see your current balance, recent transactions, or any new activity. However, the app may keep the historical data it already collected — transactions and balances from before you disconnected.
If you want the app to delete all your data, not just stop collecting new data, you usually need to delete your account with that app entirely. Disconnecting Plaid only stops the flow of new information; it does not erase what the app already has. Check the app's privacy settings or contact their support if you want to know whether they will delete your historical data on request.
Disconnecting does not affect your bank account
Removing Plaid from an app changes nothing about your actual bank account. Your money stays where it is. Your bank login credentials remain the same. You can still use your debit card, write checks, and access your account through your bank's own app or website.
Plaid was only a read-only connection — it could see your account information but could not move money or change settings without your explicit permission in that specific app. Once you disconnect, even that read-only access stops.
If you cannot find the disconnect option
Some apps bury the disconnect option or do not make it obvious. If you have looked through Settings and Account sections and cannot find it, contact the app's support team directly. Tell them you want to remove or unlink your bank account, and they can either walk you through the steps or do it on their end.
Do not try to disconnect through Plaid's website — Plaid does not manage individual app connections. Plaid is the technology provider; the app you're using is the one that controls whether Plaid can access your account. The app's support team has the authority to remove the connection if you cannot find the button yourself.
Revoking Plaid access directly from your bank
Some banks let you see which third-party services have access to your account and revoke that access from your bank's side. Log into your bank's website or app, look for a section called "Connected Apps," "Third-Party Access," "Authorized Services," or "Security Settings," and see whether Plaid or the specific app appears there.
If your bank shows this option, you can revoke access directly without going through the app. This is an extra layer of control, but it is not necessary — disconnecting through the app itself is the standard and sufficient way to stop Plaid from accessing your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will disconnecting Plaid affect my credit score?
No. Plaid only reads your account information; it does not report to credit bureaus or affect your credit in any way. Disconnecting it has no impact on your credit score or credit history.
Can I reconnect my bank to Plaid later if I change my mind?
Yes. You can reconnect your bank to the same app or a different app at any time by going through the app's account linking process again. You will need to authenticate with your bank credentials, just as you did the first time.
Does Plaid keep my data after I disconnect?
Plaid itself does not store your data long-term — it passes information to the app you are using. The app may keep historical data even after you disconnect. If you want that deleted, contact the app's support team or delete your account with that app entirely.
What if I disconnect Plaid but the app still shows my account?
The app may display cached or historical data even after disconnecting. It cannot pull new information from your bank, but it can still show you old transactions. If you want the app to stop showing your account entirely, delete your account with that app.
Is it safe to disconnect Plaid?
Yes. Disconnecting Plaid removes a third party's access to your account information. It does not harm your bank account or your ability to use the app for other features that do not require bank data.