Unlink your account in Plaid's settings, then revoke Plaid's access in your bank's app

Unlinking happens in two places. First, you disconnect the account inside Plaid itself — the app or website where you originally linked it. Second, you go into your bank's security settings and remove Plaid's permission to access your account. Doing both steps matters because removing it from only one side leaves the other side still connected.

The order matters less than doing both, but most people find it easier to start in Plaid, then finish in their bank's app. The whole process takes about five minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • Unlinking requires two separate actions: removing the connection in Plaid and revoking Plaid's access in your bank's security settings.
  • If you only unlink in one place, Plaid or your bank may still have permission to access your account.
  • Your bank's security or connected apps section is usually found under Settings, Security, or Account Management — the exact name varies by bank.
  • After unlinking, any app that relied on Plaid to read your account will stop working until you reconnect or use a different method.

How to unlink in Plaid

Open the app or website where you originally linked your bank account through Plaid. This might be a budgeting app, an investment platform, a tax software, or another financial tool — not Plaid itself, but the service that asked you to connect your bank.

Look for a Settings, Accounts, or Connected Accounts section. Find the bank account you want to unlink and select it. You should see an option to disconnect, unlink, or remove. Click that option. Some apps ask you to confirm; some do it when ready.

That removes the connection from the app's side. Now you need to finish the job in your bank's app.

How to revoke access in your bank's app

Open your bank's mobile app or website and log in. Look for Settings, Security, Account Management, or Connected Apps — banks use different names, but the section controls what outside services can access your account.

Find Plaid or the name of the app you were using (sometimes it shows as "Plaid" and sometimes as the app's own name — for example, "Mint" or "YNAB"). Select it and choose revoke access, disconnect, or remove. Your bank will ask you to confirm.

After you confirm, Plaid no longer has permission to view your account. If you unlinked in the app but not here, Plaid could theoretically still access your account if you reconnected through the app later. Revoking in your bank closes that door.

What happens after you unlink

Any app that was reading your account through Plaid will stop working. If you were using a budgeting app to track spending, it will no longer update. If you were using Plaid to verify your identity for a loan or account opening, that process stops.

You can reconnect later if you change your mind. You can also reconnect to a different app using Plaid, or use your bank's own app instead if it has the features you need. Unlinking does not affect your actual bank account — your money and account settings stay exactly as they were.

If you cannot find the unlink option

Some apps hide the unlink button in a less obvious place. Try looking under Account Settings, Data Sources, or Linked Accounts rather than the main Settings menu. If the app has a Help or Support section, search for "disconnect" or "unlink" there.

If your bank's app does not show a Connected Apps or Security section, try searching the Settings menu for "third-party" or "connected services". Smaller banks sometimes put this under a different name. If you still cannot find it, call your bank's customer service line — they can revoke Plaid's access for you over the phone.

Why you might want to unlink

You might unlink because you stopped using the app, because you want to use a different service instead, or because you want to limit how many outside services can see your account. Some people unlink when they change banks. Others unlink because they are concerned about data privacy and prefer to manage their finances without third-party access.

All of these are valid reasons. Unlinking is reversible — you can always reconnect later if your situation changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will unlinking affect my credit score?

No. Unlinking a third-party app has no effect on your credit. Your bank account and credit history are separate systems. Plaid only reads information; it does not report to credit bureaus.

What if I unlink but the app still shows my account?

The app may be showing cached data — information it saved before you unlinked. It should stop updating within a few hours. If it keeps showing your account after a day, you may have unlinked in only one place. Go back and check your bank's security settings to make sure you revoked access there too.

Can I unlink without going into my bank's app?

You can unlink from the app's side only, but your bank will still have Plaid's connection on file. It is safer to revoke access in both places. If your bank's app is not working or you cannot access it, call your bank and ask them to remove Plaid's permissions for you.

Do I need to change my bank password after unlinking?

No. Unlinking does not require a password change. Plaid only reads your account; it does not have your password. You only need to change your password if you think someone else knows it or if your bank asks you to.

What if I want to reconnect the same app later?

You can reconnect anytime. Open the app, go to the Accounts or Connected Accounts section, and select your bank again. Plaid will ask you to log in to your bank and confirm the connection, just like the first time.