Disconnect Plaid from your bank in three places
You need to remove Plaid in two locations: the app or service that uses Plaid to connect to your bank, and your bank's own settings. Most people only do the first and think they're done—but Plaid can still see your account until you revoke it at the bank itself. The full process takes about ten minutes and involves logging into both your bank and the app you connected.
Start by disconnecting in the app you use (like Mint, YNAB, or a brokerage), then go to your bank's website and remove Plaid's permission there. If you're not sure which app connected Plaid, or if you've forgotten your bank login, the bank-side removal is still possible and is actually the more important step.
Key Takeaways
- Disconnecting in the app alone does not fully remove Plaid's access—you must also revoke permission at your bank's website.
- Most banks let you see connected apps in a "Connected Services" or "Third-Party Access" section of their online banking settings.
- Plaid's access ends when ready once you revoke it at the bank, even if the app still shows it as connected.
- If you cannot log into the app that connected Plaid, you can still remove it from your bank's side without the app's help.
Remove Plaid from the app or service first
Open the app or website that you used to connect your bank account. Look for a settings menu—usually a gear icon or your account name in the top right or left corner. Search for "Connected Accounts," "Linked Banks," "Bank Connections," or "Financial Institutions."
Find your bank in that list and select it. You should see an option to "Disconnect," "Remove," "Unlink," or "Delete." Click it. The app will ask you to confirm; confirm again. This step disconnects the app from Plaid, but Plaid itself still has permission to access your bank account on behalf of that app.
If you cannot find the settings menu or the connected accounts section, check the app's help or support page for the exact path—it varies by app. Some apps bury this setting under "Preferences" or "Data Management" instead of "Settings."
Revoke Plaid's access at your bank's website
Log into your bank's website or mobile app using your username and password. Do not use Plaid or any third-party app to log in—use your bank directly. Once you're logged in, look for a settings or security section. Common names are "Settings," "Security," "Privacy," "Connected Services," "Third-Party Access," "Authorized Apps," or "Manage Access."
Inside that section, you should see a list of apps or services that have permission to view or manage your account. Plaid may appear by name, or it may appear under the name of the app that connected it (like "Mint via Plaid" or "YNAB via Plaid"). Select Plaid or the app name and choose "Revoke," "Remove," "Disconnect," or "Deny Access." Confirm the action.
If you cannot find this section, call your bank's customer service number on the back of your card and ask them to revoke third-party access for Plaid. They can do it for you in one call and will confirm when it's complete.
What happens after you disconnect
Plaid's access to your account ends when ready once you revoke it at the bank. The app you were using will no longer be able to see your transactions, balances, or account details. If the app tries to pull data after that, it will fail, and you may see an error message in the app saying the connection is broken.
Your bank does not notify you when you revoke third-party access, and Plaid does not send you a confirmation email. The change is silent on both ends. If you want proof that it worked, log back into your bank's settings a few minutes later and check that Plaid is no longer listed in the connected services section.
If you forgot which app connected Plaid
You do not need to know which app it was. Go straight to your bank's website, log in, and revoke Plaid's access from the connected services section. That removes Plaid's permission regardless of which app created it. If multiple apps used Plaid to connect to the same bank account, revoking Plaid once will disconnect all of them at the same time.
If you want to know which app it was out of curiosity, you can check your email for confirmation messages from when you first connected. Search your inbox for "Plaid" or the bank name plus "connected" and look for the date. But this step is optional—revoking at the bank works either way.
If you cannot log into your bank account
Call your bank's customer service number on the back of your card. Tell them you want to revoke access for a third-party service called Plaid. They will verify your identity (usually by asking for your Social Security number, account number, or answers to security questions) and then remove Plaid's permission from your account. This takes about five minutes on the phone and is the fastest way if you've forgotten your login or your account is locked.
You do not need to know which app connected Plaid. Just tell the bank you want to revoke all third-party access or specifically revoke Plaid, and they will handle it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does disconnecting Plaid delete my transaction history in the app?
No. The app keeps the transaction data it already downloaded. Disconnecting only stops Plaid from pulling new data going forward. If you delete the app itself, you may lose that history depending on whether the app stores it in the cloud or only on your device.
Can I reconnect Plaid to the same app later?
Yes. You can reconnect at any time by going back into the app's settings and choosing to link your bank again. Plaid will ask you to log into your bank, and your bank will ask you to authorize Plaid again. It's the same process as the first time.
Will my bank charge me for revoking Plaid?
No. Revoking third-party access is free. Your bank does not charge for managing connected services or for removing them.
What if Plaid still appears in my bank's connected services after I revoke it?
Refresh your browser or close and reopen the app, then check again. Sometimes the page does not update when ready. If it still shows after refreshing, call your bank and ask them to confirm the revocation was processed. Occasionally a revocation fails silently and needs to be done again.
Does Plaid keep my data after I disconnect?
Plaid's privacy policy states that it deletes transaction data after you revoke access, though the exact timeline varies. If you want to be certain, you can contact Plaid directly through their website to request deletion, but revoking at your bank is the step that matters for your security.