The basic steps to deposit a check through the Bank of America app

You can deposit a check into your Bank of America account without visiting a branch or ATM. Open the Bank of America app on your phone, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), select "Deposit a Check," take photos of the front and back of the check, and confirm the amount. The app will tell you when the funds arrive in your account — usually the next business day for most accounts.

The entire process takes about two minutes once you have the app open. You do not need to sign the check or write anything on it before photographing it. Bank of America's system reads the check information automatically from your photos.

Key Takeaways

  • You need the Bank of America app installed on your phone and an active checking or savings account to use mobile check deposit.
  • Take clear photos of both the front and back of the check in good lighting, making sure all four corners are visible.
  • The app will show you the deposit amount and which account it is going to before you confirm — review this carefully to catch errors.
  • After you submit the deposit, keep the physical check for at least 30 days in case Bank of America needs to verify it.
  • Funds typically appear in your account within one business day, though timing depends on when you deposit and your account type.

What you need before you start

You must have the Bank of America mobile app downloaded on an iPhone or Android phone. If you do not have it yet, search for "Bank of America" in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and install it. You will also need to be logged into your Bank of America account — if you do not have one, you will need to open an account first.

The check itself must be made out to you or to you and someone else. A check made out to someone else's name only cannot be deposited into your account. The check should not be post-dated (dated in the future) or stale-dated (more than six months old). Most personal checks and business checks work, but some government checks and cashier's checks have restrictions — the app will tell you if there is a problem when you try to deposit.

Taking photos that the app will accept

Lighting matters more than you might think. Photograph the check in natural light or under a lamp — avoid shadows across the check. Hold your phone steady and parallel to the check so the image is not tilted or blurry. The app needs to see all four corners of the check and read the numbers clearly.

Take one photo of the front of the check and one of the back. The back photo is important even though it usually looks blank — Bank of America requires it for their records. Make sure the check is fully inside the frame of each photo. If your first attempt is blurry or cut off, retake it. The app will let you know if the image quality is too poor to read.

Confirming the deposit amount and account

After you submit your photos, the app will display the amount it read from the check and ask you to confirm it is correct. This is your chance to catch errors. If the amount shown does not match the check, do not proceed — delete the deposit and retake the photos. If the app cannot read the amount clearly, you can type it in manually.

The app will also show you which account the deposit is going to. If you have multiple accounts, make sure you are depositing into the right one. Once you confirm, the deposit is submitted and you cannot change it. If you deposited into the wrong account, you will need to contact Bank of America to move the funds.

What happens after you submit the deposit

Bank of America will send you a confirmation message through the app and usually by email as well. The confirmation will include the amount, the date you deposited it, and an estimated arrival date. For most accounts, funds arrive within one business day. Some accounts or check types may take longer — the app will tell you the specific timeline when you submit.

Keep the physical check in a safe place for at least 30 days after you deposit it. If Bank of America needs to verify the deposit or if there is a problem, they may ask you to produce the original check. After 30 days, you can destroy it by shredding or tearing it up. Do not deposit the same check twice — if you accidentally submit it again, the duplicate will be rejected, but it is better to avoid the mistake.

Limits on how many checks you can deposit

Bank of America does not publicly state a daily limit on the number of checks you can deposit through the app, but there are limits on the total dollar amount. The amount varies depending on your account type and how long you have been a customer. New accounts typically have lower limits than established accounts.

If you hit a limit, the app will tell you when you try to submit the deposit. You can either wait until the next day to deposit more checks, or you can visit a Bank of America branch or ATM to deposit them in person. If you regularly deposit many checks, ask a Bank of America representative about your specific limit and whether it can be increased.

Troubleshooting common problems

If the app says "Image quality too poor," the photo is blurry, too dark, or cut off. Retake the photo in better lighting and make sure the entire check is visible. If the app cannot read the check amount, you can type it in yourself — look at the number in the bottom right corner of the check.

If the app says the check cannot be deposited, it may be post-dated, stale-dated, or made out to someone else. Some government checks and certain business checks are not accepted through mobile deposit. If you are unsure why a check was rejected, contact Bank of America customer service through the app or call the number on the back of your debit card.

If funds do not arrive by the date the app promised, check your account to see if the deposit went through. Sometimes a deposit will show as "pending" for an extra day. If it has been longer than the promised timeframe and the deposit still shows as pending, contact Bank of America to ask about the delay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit a check made out to two people?

Yes, if the check is made out to both you and another person. The check must be deposited into an account that belongs to at least one of the people named on it. If the check says "and" between the names, both people typically need to be on the account. If it says "or," usually one person can deposit it.

What if I take a photo but do not submit the deposit right away?

You can save your photos and come back to submit the deposit later the same day. The app will hold your photos temporarily. However, do not wait more than a few hours — if you close the app or restart your phone, you may lose the photos and have to retake them.

Does the check have to be endorsed before I photograph it?

No. Do not sign the back of the check before depositing it through the app. Bank of America's system handles the endorsement electronically. Signing the check first may actually cause problems with the deposit.

Can I deposit a check if I am not the account owner?

No. Only the account owner or an authorized user on the account can deposit checks through the app. If someone else needs to deposit a check into your account, they will need to visit a branch or use an ATM.

What if the check amount is very large?

Large checks may be subject to a hold, meaning the funds will not be available when ready even though they show as deposited. Bank of America places holds on checks over certain amounts to protect against fraud. The hold period varies but is usually a few business days. The app will tell you if a hold applies when you submit the deposit.