Yes, you can transfer money from Discover to your bank account
Discover lets you move money out to another bank account you own through a process called an external transfer. The money goes to whichever bank account you link — a checking account at another bank, a savings account, or even an account at a different online bank. Discover does not charge a fee for outgoing transfers, and the process takes one to three business days in most cases.
The catch is that you have to set up the connection between your Discover account and your other bank first. Discover calls this "linking" an external account. Once that link is established and verified, you can transfer money whenever you need to.
Key Takeaways
- External transfers from Discover to another bank account are free and take one to three business days.
- You must link your external bank account to Discover before you can transfer money, which requires your routing number and account number.
- Discover verifies new external accounts by sending two small test deposits to your other bank, which you then confirm in the Discover app or website.
- Once verified, you can transfer money through the Discover app, website, or by phone, and you can set up recurring transfers if you move money regularly.
How to link an external bank account to Discover
To link your other bank account, you will need your routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies your bank) and your account number (the number of the specific account at that bank). You can find both on a check, or by logging into your other bank's website or app.
In the Discover app or website, go to the Transfers section and select "Link External Account" or "Add Account." Enter your bank's name, the account number, and the routing number. Discover will ask whether the account is a checking or savings account, and you will confirm the account is in your name.
After you submit this information, Discover sends two small deposits (usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each) to your other bank account. These deposits arrive within one to two business days. You then log back into Discover and confirm the exact amounts of those two deposits. This verification step proves you control the account you are linking.
Making a transfer once your account is linked
Once your external account is verified, you can transfer money from Discover to that account through the Discover app, the Discover website, or by calling Discover's customer service. You choose the amount, confirm the receiving account, and submit the transfer.
Transfers typically arrive within one to three business days. The exact timing depends on your other bank's processing speed — some banks post transfers the same day, while others take the full three days. Weekends and holidays can add time, so a transfer you submit on a Friday afternoon may not arrive until Tuesday.
You can transfer any amount up to your Discover account balance. There is no daily or monthly limit on how much you can move out, though Discover may flag unusually large transfers for fraud review.
Setting up automatic or recurring transfers
If you move money to the same account regularly — for example, transferring your paycheck from a Discover savings account to your checking account each week — you can set up a recurring transfer. This tells Discover to move the same amount on the same schedule without you having to request it each time.
In the Discover app or website, select the option to create a recurring transfer, choose your linked external account, set the amount and frequency (weekly, biweekly, monthly, or another schedule), and confirm. The transfer will then happen automatically on the dates you choose.
You can pause, change, or cancel a recurring transfer at any time through the Discover app or website. If you need to stop one when ready, you can also call Discover's customer service.
What to do if your transfer is delayed or does not arrive
If a transfer does not arrive within three business days, log into your Discover account and check the status. The Discover app and website both show whether a transfer is pending, processing, or completed. If it shows completed but the money has not reached your other bank, contact that bank first — the delay is usually on their end.
If Discover's system shows the transfer is still pending after three business days, or if you see an error message, contact Discover's customer service. Have your transfer confirmation number ready, which appears in your transfer history. Discover can investigate whether the transfer was sent correctly and, if there was an error, resubmit it or reverse it.
Transferring money into Discover instead
If you need to move money into Discover from another bank account, the process is similar but reversed. You still link your external account, and Discover still verifies it with two test deposits. Once verified, you can initiate an inbound transfer from the Discover app or website, and the money arrives within one to three business days.
Some people also use ACH transfers, which is the same underlying system Discover uses but initiated from your other bank's website instead. This works if your other bank supports outbound ACH transfers. The timing and cost are the same — free and one to three business days — but you control the transfer from your other bank rather than from Discover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer money to someone else's bank account?
No. External transfers from Discover must go to a bank account in your own name. If you need to send money to another person, you would need to transfer it to your own checking account first, then use your bank's bill pay or peer-to-peer payment service to send it to them.
What if I link the wrong account by mistake?
If you realize you entered the wrong account number or routing number before the verification deposits arrive, delete the account from Discover and start over. If you already confirmed the verification deposits, contact Discover's customer service to remove the account. Any transfers sent to the wrong account should be reversed, but contact Discover when ready if this happens.
Do I have to verify every external account I link?
Yes. Every new external account requires the two-deposit verification process. This is a security measure to prevent someone from linking an account they do not control. Once an account is verified, you do not have to verify it again.
Can I transfer money on weekends or holidays?
You can request a transfer any time through the Discover app or website, but the transfer will not process until the next business day. A transfer requested on Saturday will begin processing on Monday, and the receiving bank may take an additional one to two business days to post it.
Is there a limit to how much I can transfer?
Discover does not publish a specific transfer limit, but you cannot transfer more than your account balance. Very large transfers may trigger fraud review, which can delay processing. If you need to move a large amount, contact Discover's customer service beforehand.