Unlinking Plaid is a two-step process: you disconnect it from the app or service that uses it, then you revoke Plaid's access to your bank account directly

Most people think unlinking means just deleting the app or removing the connection from their budgeting tool. That removes the visible link, but Plaid still has permission to access your bank. You need to do both steps to fully disconnect. The order matters: start with the app or service, then go to Plaid itself.

The whole process takes about five minutes and requires you to log into two places — the service you connected (like Mint or YNAB) and your bank's website or the Plaid portal directly. You will not lose any data in your bank account, and you can reconnect later if you change your mind.

Key Takeaways

  • Removing a connection from your budgeting app does not fully disconnect Plaid — you must also revoke access through your bank or Plaid's own portal.
  • Log into the app or service first and look for settings, connected accounts, or integrations to remove the Plaid link.
  • Then visit your bank's website and find the connected apps or third-party access section, or go directly to Plaid's portal at plaid.com/account to revoke permission.
  • Revoking access is when ready and does not affect your bank account balance or history.
  • If you cannot find the revoke option in your bank's settings, contact your bank's customer service — they can remove Plaid's access for you.

Disconnect Plaid from the app or service that uses it

Start by opening the app or website where you originally connected your bank account through Plaid. This might be a budgeting app like Mint, YNAB, or EveryDollar; an investment platform; a bill-pay service; or a personal finance dashboard. The exact name of the setting varies, but you are looking for "connected accounts," "linked accounts," "integrations," or "bank connections."

In most apps, this setting lives in the account menu or settings. Look for a gear icon, your profile name, or a "Settings" button. Once you find the connected accounts section, you should see your bank listed with a "disconnect," "remove," or "unlink" button next to it. Click that button. The app will usually ask you to confirm — select yes or confirm removal. This step disconnects the app from Plaid, but Plaid still has permission to access your bank.

Revoke Plaid's access through your bank's website

Log into your bank's website or mobile app using your normal username and password. Look for a section called "connected apps," "third-party access," "app permissions," or "authorized applications." Different banks name this differently — Chase calls it "Connected Services," Bank of America calls it "Third-Party Access," and Wells Fargo uses "Third-Party Authorization."

Once you find that section, search for Plaid in the list of connected services. When you find it, select it and look for a "revoke," "disconnect," "remove," or "deny access" button. Click it and confirm. Your bank will when ready stop allowing Plaid to access your account. This is the step that actually removes Plaid's permission — the first step only removed the app's connection to Plaid.

Revoke access directly through Plaid if your bank does not show the option

Not all banks display a third-party access section in their online banking portal. If you cannot find the option at your bank, you can revoke Plaid's access directly through Plaid's own account portal. Go to plaid.com/account and log in using the email address and password you used when you first connected your bank account to Plaid.

Once logged in, you will see a list of institutions and accounts that Plaid has access to. Find your bank in that list and select it. You should see a "revoke access" or "disconnect" button. Click it and confirm. Plaid will when ready remove its access to your account. This method works even if your bank does not offer a third-party access section, and it is often faster than searching through your bank's settings.

What happens after you unlink Plaid

Once you have completed both steps, Plaid no longer has permission to see your bank account, and the app or service you were using will no longer receive updates from your bank. Any transactions or balances that were already synced to the app will stay there — unlinking does not delete your history. However, new transactions will not appear in the app going forward.

If you reconnect Plaid later, you will need to go through the login process again. Your bank will ask you to confirm that you want to give Plaid permission once more. You can reconnect to the same app, a different app, or both — there is no limit to how many times you can connect and disconnect.

Troubleshooting: what to do if you cannot find the unlink option

If you have looked through your app's settings and your bank's website and still cannot find where to disconnect Plaid, contact your bank's customer service. Tell them you want to revoke third-party access for Plaid. They can do this for you directly and will usually complete it within a few minutes. You can reach most banks through their website's chat feature, by phone, or by visiting a branch in person.

If you set up Plaid through a third-party app and that app no longer exists or you cannot access it, you can still revoke access through your bank or through Plaid's portal. You do not need the original app to disconnect — the bank and Plaid both have the ability to remove the connection independently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does unlinking Plaid delete my bank account or transaction history?

No. Unlinking Plaid only removes its permission to access your account going forward. Your bank account, balance, and all transaction history remain unchanged. Any data that was already synced to the app you were using will stay in that app, but it will not update with new transactions.

Can I unlink Plaid from one app but keep it connected to another?

Yes. If you have connected the same bank account to multiple apps through Plaid, you can disconnect it from one app while keeping it connected to another. Disconnect from the first app, then revoke access only for that specific app in your bank's settings or Plaid's portal. The other connections will remain active.

What if I forgot which app I used to connect Plaid to my bank?

Log into Plaid's account portal at plaid.com/account to see all the apps and services that have access to your account. You can revoke access for any or all of them from there, even if you do not remember which app you used originally.

How long does it take for Plaid to stop accessing my account after I revoke it?

Revocation is when ready. Once you click confirm in your bank's settings or Plaid's portal, Plaid no longer has permission to access your account. However, it may take a few minutes for the app you were using to realize the connection is broken and stop trying to sync data.

Do I need to change my bank password after unlinking Plaid?

No. Plaid uses a find connection method that does not require your actual password — it uses a token-based system. Unlinking revokes that token, so changing your password is not necessary. You only need to change your password if you suspect fraud or if you shared your actual password with someone.