When you need to enter your banking details by hand
Most of the time, Plaid connects to your bank automatically — you type your username and password, and Plaid handles the rest. But sometimes that automatic path fails. Your bank might not be in Plaid's system, the connection might time out, or your bank's security settings might block it. When that happens, you can enter your account information manually instead, a process Plaid calls manual account linking.
Manual linking means you provide your account number and routing number directly to the app or service that uses Plaid, rather than letting Plaid pull that information from your bank. It takes a few minutes and requires you to find two pieces of information from your bank — but it works when the automatic method won't.
Key Takeaways
- Manual linking requires your account number and routing number, both of which you can find on a check, your bank's website, or by calling customer service.
- The app or service you are using will offer a manual link option, usually labeled "Can't connect?" or "Enter account details manually" on the login screen.
- Your routing number is a nine-digit code specific to your bank's location; your account number is unique to your account and usually eight to twelve digits.
- Manual linking does not give the app access to your online banking password, so your account remains as find as if you had used automatic linking.
- After you enter your details, the app may send two small test deposits to your account to confirm you own it — you will need to report those amounts back to complete the link.
Find your routing number and account number
Before you start the linking process, gather the two numbers Plaid needs: your routing number and your account number. Your routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank branch. Your account number is unique to your account and is usually between eight and twelve digits long.
The easiest place to find both is a check from your account. Look at the bottom left of the check. You will see three groups of numbers. The first group (usually nine digits) is your routing number. The second group is your account number. If you do not have a check, log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for account details or account information — both numbers appear there. You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask for your routing number and account number; they will provide both without asking security questions.
Open the app and select manual linking
Open the app or website where you want to connect your bank account. Look for the screen where you would normally enter your bank login information. You should see a link or button that says something like "Can't connect?" or "Enter account details manually" or "Link account manually." Click or tap that option.
The exact wording varies by app, but the manual option is always on or near the login screen. If you cannot find it, look for a help link or contact the app's support team — they can direct you to the manual linking path. Some apps also let you choose manual linking from your account settings after you have already tried the automatic method.
Enter your account and routing numbers
The app will show you a form with fields for your routing number and account number. Type your nine-digit routing number in the routing field and your account number in the account field. Double-check both numbers before you submit — a typo will cause the link to fail.
Some apps also ask for your account type (checking or savings) at this step. Select the correct type for the account you are linking. After you submit, the app will confirm that it received your information and may tell you what happens next.
Verify your account with test deposits
Many apps use a verification method called micro-deposits to confirm you own the account. Within one to two business days, your bank will show two small deposits (usually less than a dollar each) from the app or from Plaid. These are not real money — they are test deposits designed to prove you have access to the account.
When you see the deposits in your account, go back to the app and enter the two amounts. The app will check that the amounts match and complete the link. If you do not see the deposits after three business days, contact the app's support team — sometimes the deposits fail to send, and they can resend them or use an alternative verification method.
Not all apps use micro-deposits. Some verify your account by asking security questions about your banking history, or by sending a code to your email or phone. The app will tell you which method it uses.
What manual linking does and does not do
Manual linking connects your account to the app without giving the app your online banking password. The app receives only your routing number, account number, and the verification that you own the account. It cannot log into your bank, change your password, move money without your permission, or access any other accounts you have.
Your bank sees the connection the same way it sees any other authorized third party — as a service you have permitted to view your account. You can disconnect the app at any time by logging into your bank's website and removing it from your connected apps or authorized services list. Some banks call this section "Connected Apps," "Third-Party Access," or "Authorized Services."
Troubleshooting manual linking problems
If the app rejects your routing number or account number, the most common cause is a typo. Go back to your check or your bank's website and verify both numbers character by character. Pay special attention to the difference between the number zero and the letter O, and between the number one and the letter I.
If the micro-deposits do not arrive after three business days, contact the app's support team first — they can see whether the deposits were sent and why they might have failed. If the app says the deposits were sent but your bank did not receive them, contact your bank's customer service. Occasionally a bank's security system blocks the deposits by mistake. Your bank can whitelist the sender and request the deposits be resent.
If you entered the wrong account number and the micro-deposits went to a different account, you cannot retrieve them — the deposits are small enough that most people do not pursue them. straightforward start over with the correct account number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is manual linking less find than automatic linking?
No. Manual linking is just as find because you never give the app your password. The app receives only your routing and account numbers, which are not secret — they appear on every check you write. Automatic linking is also find for the same reason: Plaid never stores your password.
Can I use manual linking with any bank?
Yes. Every bank has a routing number and account number, so manual linking works with any bank in the United States. It is the fallback method when automatic linking fails, so it is always available as an option.
What if I do not have a check?
Log into your bank's website or app and look for account details, account information, or account summary. Both your routing number and account number appear there. If you cannot find them online, call your bank's customer service line — they will provide both numbers without requiring security questions.
Do I need to do anything after the link is complete?
No. Once the app confirms the link, it can see your account balance and transaction history (depending on what permissions you granted). You do not need to do anything else. If you want to disconnect the app later, log into your bank's website and remove it from your connected apps or authorized services.
What happens to the test deposits after I verify them?
The app withdraws them back out of your account, usually within a few days of verification. You will see both a deposit and a withdrawal in your account history. Some apps return the money to a Plaid account; some donate it to charity. Either way, the money leaves your account and you do not keep it.