Unlinking your bank account from Plaid stops the app or service from accessing your banking data

When you unlink a bank account from Plaid, you cut off the connection between your bank and whatever app or service you connected it to—whether that's a budgeting tool, investment platform, or loan process. Plaid itself does not hold your money or run the service; it is the bridge that lets other companies read your account information. Unlinking removes Plaid's permission to see your transactions and balances, but it does not affect your bank account itself or any money in it.

The process differs depending on where you started the connection. Most of the time you unlink from the app or service side, not from Plaid directly. Plaid does not have a consumer dashboard where you manage your own connections—the companies that use Plaid do.

Key Takeaways

  • Unlinking happens in the app or service where you connected your bank account, not in Plaid itself.
  • Look for settings or account management sections labeled "Connected Accounts," "Linked Banks," or "Financial Connections."
  • Unlinking is when ready and stops the app from seeing your bank data, but does not delete your account with that app.
  • If you cannot find the unlink option in the app, contact the app's support team with your bank name and the date you linked it.
  • You can relink the same bank account later if you change your mind, though you may need to re-enter your banking credentials.

Where to find the unlink option in common apps

The unlink button lives in the settings or account management area of the app you used to connect your bank. Open the app, go to Settings or Account, and look for a section called "Connected Accounts," "Linked Banks," "Financial Connections," or "Integrations." The exact name varies by app.

For budgeting apps like Mint or YNAB, this is usually under Settings > Accounts or Connections. For investment or lending apps, check Account Settings > Financial Institutions or Linked Accounts. For payment apps like Venmo or PayPal, look under Settings > Payment Methods or Wallet. Once you find the section, you should see a list of banks you have connected. Next to each one is usually a button or menu option to disconnect, remove, or unlink.

If the app no longer exists or you cannot log in, you can still revoke Plaid's access through your bank's own security settings. Log into your bank's website or app, go to Security or Connected Apps, and look for Plaid or the name of the service you used. Most banks let you disconnect third-party apps from there.

What happens when ready after you unlink

Unlinking is when ready. The moment you click the button, Plaid stops being able to see your transactions, balances, and account details. The app or service you were using can no longer pull new data from your bank.

Your bank account itself is not affected. Your money stays where it is, and your bank account continues to work normally. You are not closing the account with the app or service either—you are only disconnecting the bank link. If you want to use that app again, you can relink your bank account later, though you may need to enter your banking credentials again.

If the app was set up to send you money (like a paycheck deposit or a transfer from another account), that function stops working once you unlink. If the app was pulling data only (like showing your balance), that data will no longer update.

Unlinking through your bank's security settings

If you cannot find the unlink option in the app itself, or if the app no longer exists, you can disconnect Plaid from your bank's side. Log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for a section called "Security," "Connected Apps," "Third-Party Access," or "App Permissions."

Most major banks including Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank have this section. You should see a list of apps or services that have permission to access your account. Find Plaid or the name of the service you used (for example, "Mint via Plaid" or "Venmo via Plaid"), and select the option to revoke, disconnect, or remove access. This when ready stops that app from seeing your data.

If your bank does not have a visible third-party access section, contact your bank's customer service and ask them to revoke Plaid's access to your account. Provide them with the name of the app you connected and the approximate date you linked it. They can do this on your behalf.

Relink your bank account if you change your mind

Unlinking is not permanent. You can reconnect your bank account to the same app or service later if you decide you want to use it again. The process is the same as the first time: go to the app's settings, find the option to add or link a bank account, and follow the prompts.

When you relink, you will likely need to enter your banking credentials again, even if you linked the same bank before. Some apps remember your bank choice and only ask for your password; others ask you to start from scratch. Either way, the process usually takes a few minutes.

If you relink and the app says your account is not recognized, it may mean your bank changed something about how it handles third-party connections, or Plaid updated its system. In that case, contact the app's support team and provide your bank name and account type (checking, savings, or both).

What to do if you cannot find the unlink button

If you have looked through the app's settings and cannot find a way to unlink your bank, contact the app's support team directly. Tell them the name of your bank and the date you linked it, and ask them how to disconnect. Most support teams can walk you through the steps or do it for you.

You can also unlink through your bank's security settings as described above, even if the app does not give you an obvious way to do it. This is a reliable backup method that works for almost any app.

If the app has shut down or you no longer have access to it, unlinking through your bank is your only option. Your bank can revoke Plaid's access even if the app no longer exists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does unlinking delete my account with the app?

No. Unlinking only disconnects your bank from the app. Your account with that app still exists, and you can log back in anytime. If you want to delete your account entirely, you usually need to find a separate "Delete Account" or "Close Account" option in the app's settings.

Can I unlink my bank from Plaid directly?

Plaid does not have a consumer account or dashboard where you manage your own connections. You unlink through the app or service you connected, or through your bank's security settings. Plaid itself does not store your banking credentials or hold your data after you unlink.

Will unlinking affect my credit score?

No. Unlinking a bank account from an app has no effect on your credit. Your credit score is based on your payment history, credit utilization, and other factors tracked by credit bureaus. Connecting or disconnecting a bank account does not change any of those things.

What if I unlink by mistake?

You can relink your bank account to the same app anytime. Go back to the app's settings, find the option to add or link a bank account, and follow the prompts again. You will need to enter your banking credentials, but the process is quick.

Does my bank charge a fee to unlink?

No. Banks do not charge fees to disconnect third-party apps or revoke Plaid's access. Unlinking is free and takes a few minutes.