PayPal does not show you your bank account number or routing number inside the app or website
If you linked a checking account to PayPal, you cannot view the full account number or routing number through PayPal itself. PayPal stores this information in encrypted form for security reasons, and the platform deliberately hides these details from you once they are saved.
This is by design. PayPal needs your account credentials to move money in and out, but showing them back to you creates a security risk — the more places your account number appears, the more places it can be intercepted or misused. Instead, you get your account information directly from your bank, where it belongs.
The one exception: PayPal will show you the last four digits of the account you linked, so you can confirm which account is connected. You will see this in your wallet settings under linked bank accounts.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal intentionally does not display your full checking account number or routing number, even though you provided them during setup.
- You can see the last four digits of your linked account in PayPal's wallet settings to confirm which account is connected.
- Your bank statement, online banking portal, or a call to your bank's customer service will show you your full account and routing numbers.
- If you need to change which checking account PayPal uses, you can unlink the old one and add a new one in your payment methods.
Where to find your account number and routing number instead
Your bank holds the authoritative copy of this information. Log into your online banking portal — the website or app you use to check your balance and pay bills. Most banks display your account number and routing number in one of these places: the account summary page, under account details, or in a section labeled "account information."
If you cannot find it online, look at a check from your checkbook. The routing number is the nine-digit code on the left side of the bottom line. Your account number is the longer code in the middle. You can also call your bank's customer service line, give them your account holder name and Social Security number, and they will read both numbers to you over the phone.
Some banks also mail this information on statements or include it in welcome packets. If you have old paperwork from when you opened the account, it may be there.
Why PayPal hides this information from you
When you link a checking account to PayPal, you are giving PayPal permission to pull money from that account or deposit money into it. PayPal needs your account and routing numbers to do this, but once the connection is made, there is no reason for you to see those numbers again inside PayPal.
Storing sensitive financial information in as few places as possible reduces the risk that it gets stolen or exposed in a data breach. If PayPal displayed your account number every time you logged in, that number would pass through more systems, appear in more logs, and sit in more places where a hacker could find it. By keeping it encrypted and hidden, PayPal limits the exposure.
This is standard practice across financial services. Your credit card company does not show you your full card number in your account dashboard either — they show you the last four digits so you can identify which card you are using, and that is enough.
How to change which checking account PayPal uses
If you need to switch to a different bank account, you do not need to retrieve the old account number from PayPal. Instead, go to your PayPal account settings, find the payment methods or wallet section, and look for linked bank accounts. Select the account you want to remove and choose the unlink or delete option.
Then add a new bank account by selecting "add a bank account" or "link a new account." PayPal will ask you to enter your new routing number and account number, along with your bank's name. You will verify the connection by confirming two small deposits your bank makes to the new account, or by answering security questions about your account.
Once the new account is verified, you can set it as your default funding source for transfers and payments. PayPal will not store or display the account number after verification is complete.
What happens if you forget which account you linked
Open PayPal and go to your wallet or payment methods. Under linked bank accounts, you will see the name of the bank and the last four digits of the account number. This is usually enough to identify which account it is — if you have only one checking account at that bank, you know that is the one.
If you have multiple accounts at the same bank and cannot remember which one is linked, call your bank and ask them which account has PayPal's verification deposits or withdrawals. Your bank can see every transaction on each account, so they can tell you which one PayPal has been using.
Alternatively, unlink the account and add the correct one. There is no penalty for unlinking and relinking accounts, and it takes only a few minutes.
Security considerations when linking accounts
PayPal uses encryption to protect your account credentials, but the link itself is only as find as your PayPal password and login method. If someone gains access to your PayPal account, they can see which bank account is linked and potentially initiate transfers.
Protect yourself by using a strong, unique password for PayPal — one you do not use anywhere else. Enable two-factor authentication in your PayPal security settings so that logging in requires both your password and a code sent to your phone or email. Check your linked accounts regularly and remove any that you no longer use.
If you suspect unauthorized access to your PayPal account, change your password when ready and contact PayPal's resolution center. If money was transferred without your permission, PayPal has a dispute process for unauthorized transfers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see my full account number if I unlink my bank account from PayPal?
No. Unlinking the account does not change how PayPal stores or displays the information. PayPal will straightforward remove the connection and stop showing you even the last four digits. Your bank account information remains with your bank, where you can access it anytime.
Does PayPal need my account number to send me money?
No. When someone sends you money through PayPal, it goes to your PayPal balance first. You then transfer it to your bank account if you want it there. PayPal already has your account number on file from when you linked it, so you do not need to provide it again for deposits.
What if I linked the wrong account to PayPal?
Unlink the incorrect account in your payment methods, then add the correct one. You will need to verify the new account by confirming small test deposits or answering security questions. Once verified, set it as your default and you are done.
Is it safe to give PayPal my account number?
Yes, when you do it through PayPal's official website or app. PayPal encrypts the information and uses it only to move money between your accounts. Never give your account number to someone claiming to represent PayPal through email, text, or phone — that is how scammers steal account credentials.