Unlinking your bank account from Plaid removes the connection between your bank and any app that uses Plaid to access your account
When you unlink, Plaid loses permission to see your account balance, transaction history, and account details. The app that was using Plaid to connect to your bank—whether that's a budgeting tool, investment platform, or loan service—will no longer be able to pull information from that account. Your bank account itself stays open and unchanged. You are only breaking the bridge between your bank and the third-party app.
The actual steps depend on where you disconnect: from within the app itself, from your bank's settings, or from your Plaid account directly. Most people find it easiest to disconnect through the app that requested access in the first place, because that is usually where the connection is most visible.
Key Takeaways
- Unlinking removes Plaid's permission to access your account, but does not close your bank account or affect your money.
- Most apps let you disconnect through their own settings menu, usually under "Connected Accounts" or "Linked Banks".
- If you cannot find the disconnect option in the app, you can revoke access directly through your bank's website or through Plaid's own account portal.
- After unlinking, the app will no longer receive updates about your balance or transactions, but any data it already collected stays in that app's system.
Disconnect through the app that uses Plaid
Start in the app where you originally linked your bank account. Look for a settings menu, usually marked with a gear icon or labeled "Settings" or "Account". From there, find a section called "Connected Accounts", "Linked Banks", "Financial Connections", or "Integrations". The exact name varies by app.
Once you find that section, you should see your bank listed with the account number partially hidden (like "****1234"). Next to it, there will be an option to "Disconnect", "Remove", "Unlink", or "Delete". Click that button. The app will ask you to confirm—this is the moment the connection actually breaks. After confirmation, Plaid no longer has permission to access that account through this app.
This method works for most apps: budgeting tools like YNAB or Mint, investment platforms, loan services, and payroll apps. If you use the same bank account with multiple apps through Plaid, you will need to repeat this process in each app separately. Unlinking in one app does not affect the connection in another.
Revoke access through your bank's website
If you cannot find the disconnect option in the app, or if the app no longer exists, you can revoke Plaid's access directly from your bank. Log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for a settings section labeled "Connected Apps", "Third-Party Access", "Authorized Apps", or "Security Settings". Banks organize this differently, so you may need to search the help section for "connected applications" or "third-party permissions".
Once you find the list, look for Plaid or the name of the app that was using Plaid. Select it and choose "Revoke", "Remove", or "Disconnect". Your bank will confirm the action, and Plaid's access ends when ready. This method is reliable because your bank controls the permission directly, regardless of what the app itself shows.
Some banks display this information under "Manage Your Privacy" or within their mobile app under "Security". If you cannot locate it after checking your settings, contact your bank's customer service and ask them to revoke third-party access for Plaid or the specific app name.
Disconnect through your Plaid account
You can also manage all your Plaid connections from Plaid's own account portal. Go to plaid.com and log into your account using the email and password you created when you first linked your bank. If you do not remember your password, use the "Forgot Password" link.
Once logged in, look for a section called "Accounts", "Connected Accounts", or "My Accounts". You will see a list of every bank account you have connected through Plaid, along with which apps have access to each one. Find the account you want to unlink and select it. You should see an option to "Remove" or "Disconnect". Click it and confirm.
This method shows you the full picture of what is connected across all your apps at once, which can be useful if you have linked the same account to multiple services. However, most people find it easier to disconnect through the individual app, because that is where they remember making the connection in the first place.
What happens to your data after you unlink
When you unlink, Plaid stops receiving new information about your account. Your bank balance, recent transactions, and account details will no longer update in the app. If the app relied on real-time data—like a budgeting tool that tracks spending—it will stop working for that account.
Data the app already collected before you unlinked stays in that app's system. If you had six months of transaction history synced to a budgeting app, that history remains there even after you disconnect. The app straightforward will not receive any new updates. If you want to remove that historical data as well, check the app's privacy settings or contact their support team to request deletion.
Relinking your bank account later
If you unlink and then change your mind, you can reconnect the same bank account to the same app at any time. Go back into the app's settings and look for an option to "Add Account", "Connect Bank", or "Link Account". The app will walk you through Plaid's connection process again, and you will authorize access just as you did the first time.
If you have changed your bank password since you originally linked, Plaid may ask you to re-enter it during the reconnection. This is normal and is how Plaid verifies you still own the account. After you confirm your identity, the connection is restored and the app will begin receiving updated information again.
Troubleshooting if you cannot find the disconnect option
If the app's settings menu does not show a disconnect option, the app may have moved it or hidden it in an unexpected location. Try searching the app's help documentation or FAQ for "unlink", "disconnect", or "remove bank". Many apps have a support email or chat feature—contact them directly and ask where to find the disconnect button.
If the app is no longer available or the company has shut down, use the bank method instead: log into your bank's website and revoke Plaid's access from there. Your bank's permission system is independent of the app, so you can always disconnect through your bank even if the app is gone. You can also revoke access through Plaid's account portal as a backup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does unlinking my bank account from Plaid close my bank account?
No. Unlinking only breaks the connection between Plaid and your bank. Your bank account remains open, your money stays where it is, and you can still use your debit card, write checks, and access your account normally. You are only removing permission for Plaid to see your account information.
If I unlink, will the app delete all the data it already has about me?
No. The app keeps any transaction history, balance snapshots, or other data it collected before you unlinked. It straightforward stops receiving new updates. If you want that data deleted, you will need to contact the app's support team or check their privacy settings for a data deletion option.
Can I unlink one bank account but keep another one connected to the same app?
Yes. If you have linked multiple bank accounts to the same app through Plaid, you can disconnect one while keeping the others active. Go to the app's connected accounts section and remove only the account you want to disconnect. The others will continue to work normally.
What if my bank does not show a third-party access section?
Not all banks display this option prominently. Call your bank's customer service line and ask them to revoke access for Plaid or the specific app name. They can do this on your behalf even if you cannot find the setting yourself. You can also disconnect through Plaid's account portal as an alternative.
Will unlinking affect my credit score or credit history?
No. Unlinking a bank account from Plaid has no effect on your credit. Plaid is only a connection tool—it does not report to credit bureaus or affect your credit file. Your credit score depends on your payment history, debt levels, and other factors tracked by your lenders and credit card companies, not by Plaid.