You can close your Chime account online through the app or by calling customer service, but you need to settle any outstanding balance first

Closing a Chime checking account takes about five minutes if you do it through the mobile app, or longer if you call. The process itself is straightforward: you confirm you want to close, Chime processes the request, and the account shuts down. The part that takes longer is what comes before — making sure you have no pending transactions, no direct deposits scheduled to arrive, and no outstanding balance owed to Chime.

Chime does not charge a fee to close your account. You will not lose access to your money; any balance remaining in the account stays yours and Chime will send it to you. The timing depends on how you close and whether you have pending activity, but most closures complete within a few business days.

Key Takeaways

  • Close your account through the Chime app by going to Settings, selecting Account, and choosing Close Account — this is faster than calling.
  • Before you close, check that no direct deposits or automatic payments are scheduled to hit the account, because they may fail or bounce.
  • Pay off any negative balance or outstanding fees before closing; Chime will not process the closure if money is owed.
  • Any remaining balance in your account will be sent to you by check or transferred to another account you provide, usually within five to ten business days.
  • Once closed, the account cannot be reopened — you would have to open a new Chime account if you change your mind.

Close your account through the Chime app in five steps

Open the Chime mobile app and sign in. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right of the screen, then select Settings. From there, tap Account, then scroll down and select Close Account.

Chime will show you a summary of your current balance and ask you to confirm that you want to close. Read the confirmation screen carefully — it will tell you how Chime will return any remaining money. Tap Confirm or Close Account (the exact wording varies by app version) and the request goes through when ready.

You will receive an email confirmation with a reference number. The account closure itself is when ready, but any remaining balance takes five to ten business days to reach you. If you provided a linked external bank account during setup, Chime may transfer the balance there automatically; otherwise, Chime sends a check to the address on file.

What to do before you close: three things to check

Log into your Chime app and look at your recent transactions. Scroll back at least two weeks to see if any recurring charges or automatic payments are set up. Common ones are subscription services, gym memberships, or bill payments. If you find any, cancel them through the original service first — do not rely on closing the account to stop them, because failed payments can damage your credit or trigger overdraft fees before the account closes.

Check whether you have any direct deposits scheduled. If you receive a paycheck, government benefit, or other regular deposit, contact your employer or the paying agency and update your banking information to point to a different account. If a direct deposit arrives after you close the account, Chime will reject it and send it back to the source, which can delay your money and create confusion with your employer or benefits office.

Look at your account balance. If it is negative — meaning you owe Chime money — you must pay that amount before closing. Chime will not process the closure request if there is an outstanding balance. If the balance is positive, that money is yours and Chime will return it. If the balance is zero, the closure is clean and when ready.

What happens to your money after you close

Any balance remaining in your account belongs to you. Chime does not keep it. The method Chime uses to return it depends on what you set up during account creation. If you linked an external bank account to your Chime account, Chime may transfer the balance there automatically within five to ten business days. If you did not link an external account, or if Chime cannot transfer for any reason, Chime will mail a check to the address on file.

Checks typically arrive within ten to fifteen business days, depending on mail speed. If you do not receive your check within three weeks, contact Chime customer service with your account closure reference number and they can investigate or issue a replacement.

Once the account is closed, you lose access to any Chime debit card linked to it. If you have a Chime card in your wallet, it will stop working. Destroy it or contact Chime to request a replacement if you plan to open a new Chime account later.

Close your account by phone if you cannot use the app

Call Chime customer service at 1-844-244-6361. You will need to verify your identity by providing your Social Security number, date of birth, and the last four digits of the debit card linked to your account. Tell the representative you want to close your account.

The representative will confirm your current balance, ask whether you want it mailed as a check or transferred to another bank account, and process the closure. This takes about ten to fifteen minutes. You will receive an email confirmation with a reference number, just as you would through the app.

Phone closures are slower than app closures only because you have to wait for a representative. The actual processing time is the same — your account closes when ready, and any remaining balance reaches you within five to ten business days.

What you cannot do after closing

Once your Chime account is closed, it cannot be reopened. If you change your mind, you would have to open a brand new Chime account from scratch. This means a new account number, a new debit card, and a new routing number for direct deposits. Any direct deposits or automatic payments set up with the old account number will fail.

You also lose access to any Chime features tied to that account, such as early direct deposit (getting paid up to two days early), Chime SpotMe (overdraft protection), or any savings goals you created. If you have a Chime savings account linked to your checking account, closing the checking account does not automatically close the savings account — you would have to close that separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my account if I have a negative balance?

No. You must pay off any negative balance or outstanding fees before Chime will process the closure. Once the balance is zero or positive, you can close. If you are unsure what you owe, call Chime customer service and they will tell you the exact amount.

What if I close my account but a direct deposit arrives after?

Chime will reject the deposit and send it back to the source — your employer, benefits office, or whoever sent it. This can take several business days and may create a delay in your money reaching you. Always update your banking information with the paying source before closing your account.

How long does it take to get my money back after I close?

If Chime transfers to a linked external bank account, five to ten business days. If Chime mails a check, ten to fifteen business days depending on mail speed. If you do not receive your money within three weeks, contact Chime with your closure reference number.

Do I have to close both my checking and savings account, or just one?

You can close them separately. Closing your checking account does not close a linked savings account. If you want both closed, you must request closure for each one individually through the app or by phone.

Will closing my account hurt my credit?

No. Closing a checking account does not appear on your credit report and does not affect your credit score. Only credit accounts — credit cards, loans, lines of credit — show up on your credit history.