Where to disconnect Plaid depends on which app you connected it through
Plaid itself does not hold your login credentials or access your account directly — the app you connected Plaid to does. That means disconnecting Plaid happens in two places: first in the app that uses Plaid (your budgeting app, investment platform, or whatever service you signed up for), and second in your actual bank's settings if you want to fully revoke access.
Most people only need to do the first step. Disconnecting in the app removes Plaid's permission to pull data from your bank. If you want to be thorough — or if you are concerned about lingering access — you can also revoke Plaid's connection directly at your bank.
The exact steps vary by bank and by app, but the principle is the same: find the connected apps or third-party access section, locate Plaid or the app that uses it, and remove the permission.
Key Takeaways
- Disconnecting in your budgeting app or investment platform removes that app's access to your bank data, but does not automatically revoke Plaid's access at the bank level.
- Most banks let you revoke third-party access through their settings under "Connected Apps", "Authorized Apps", or "Third-Party Access" — the exact name varies by institution.
- Plaid itself does not store your login credentials; the app you connected it to does, so removing the app's permission is usually sufficient.
- If you cannot find the revocation option in your bank's app or website, calling customer service with the app name is faster than searching.
Disconnecting Plaid in the app you use it for
Start by opening the app where you originally connected Plaid — your budgeting app, investment platform, or loan service. Look for a settings or account menu, usually represented by a gear icon or your profile name in the top right or bottom left.
Inside settings, search for "Connected Accounts", "Linked Banks", "Bank Connections", or "Financial Institutions". The exact label depends on the app. Once you find that section, you should see a list of banks or accounts you have connected. Find the one you want to disconnect and tap or click the remove, disconnect, or delete button next to it.
Some apps ask you to confirm the disconnection. Once you confirm, Plaid's access through that app is gone. The app can no longer pull your transaction history, balance, or other data from your bank.
Revoking Plaid's access at your bank
If you want to fully revoke Plaid's permission at the source, log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for settings related to connected apps or third-party access. Common labels are "Connected Apps", "Authorized Apps", "Third-Party Access", "App Permissions", or "Manage Access".
Once you find that section, you should see a list of apps or services that have permission to access your account. Plaid may appear by name, or you may see the name of the app you connected it through (for example, "Mint" or "YNAB"). Select it and choose the option to revoke, remove, or disconnect access.
Different banks organize this differently. Chase calls it "Connected Apps" and puts it under Account Settings. Bank of America uses "Third-Party Access" under Online Services. Wells Fargo lists it as "Authorized Apps" in the Security section. If you cannot find it, your bank's customer service can walk you through it in one call.
What happens after you disconnect
Once you disconnect, the app can no longer see your transactions or balance. If the app was updating your data in real time, it stops. Any historical data the app already downloaded stays in the app — disconnecting does not erase past transactions you already saw.
If you want to reconnect the same app later, you will have to go through the Plaid connection process again. You can reconnect to the same bank or a different one.
If you cannot find the disconnect option
Some banks bury the third-party access settings or label them in ways that do not match what you are searching for. If you have looked in settings and account management and still cannot find it, call your bank's customer service line. Tell them the name of the app you want to disconnect and ask where to revoke its access. They can either walk you through it or do it for you.
If the app itself does not have a clear disconnect button, contact the app's support team. They can tell you whether the app stores a persistent connection or whether removing the app from your phone is enough to stop access.
Disconnecting multiple apps that use Plaid
If you have connected several apps through Plaid to the same bank account, you need to disconnect each one separately. Disconnecting one app does not affect the others. Go through each app's settings and remove the bank connection individually.
At your bank, you may see multiple entries for different apps. Remove each one you no longer use. This prevents apps you have stopped using from retaining access to your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does disconnecting Plaid in the app automatically disconnect it at my bank?
No. Disconnecting in the app removes that app's access, but Plaid's permission at your bank may remain. To fully revoke access, log into your bank and remove Plaid or the app from your connected apps list.
Will disconnecting Plaid delete my transaction history in the app?
No. Disconnecting stops the app from pulling new data, but transactions and balances already downloaded stay in the app. You can still view your past data.
Can I reconnect the same app to my bank later?
Yes. Disconnecting does not permanently block the app. You can reconnect it anytime by going through the Plaid connection process again in the app's settings.
What if my bank does not show Plaid in its connected apps list?
Your bank may list the app you connected instead of Plaid itself. Look for the name of the budgeting app, investment platform, or other service you used. If you still cannot find it, call your bank and give them the app name.
Is it safe to leave Plaid connected if I am not using the app anymore?
It is safer to disconnect it. Even if you are not actively using the app, it retains permission to access your account. Disconnecting removes that permission and reduces the number of services that can see your financial data.