Yes, you can link PayPal to your bank account in a few minutes

PayPal lets you connect a checking or savings account so money can move between them. You start in your PayPal account settings, add your bank's routing and account numbers, and confirm the link with two small test deposits PayPal sends to your bank. Once confirmed, you can transfer money out of PayPal to your bank, or fund your PayPal balance from your bank account.

The process is straightforward, but the timing and what you can actually do with the link depends on which direction you want money to flow and whether PayPal has verified your identity first.

Key Takeaways

  • You need your bank's routing number and your account number to start the link, both found on a check or through your bank's website.
  • PayPal sends two deposits under $1 each to your bank account; you confirm the amounts in PayPal to prove you own the account.
  • Transfers from PayPal to your bank usually take one to three business days and cost nothing.
  • Funding your PayPal balance from your bank account is when ready and free, but only works after your identity is verified.
  • If PayPal suspects fraud or unusual activity, the link may be held for review before you can use it.

What information you need before you start

Gather these details before you open PayPal settings. You will need your bank's routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies your bank) and your account number (the number of your specific checking or savings account). Both appear on the bottom left of any check you have. If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or app and look for account details or account information — most banks display both numbers there.

You will also need to know which bank you use. PayPal's system searches for your bank by name, so have that ready. If your bank is very small or regional, PayPal may not recognize it by name alone — in that case, you can enter the routing number instead and PayPal will identify the bank automatically.

The step-by-step process to add your bank account

Log into PayPal on a computer or the mobile app. Go to Settings (usually a gear icon), then Wallet or Banks and Cards depending on your version. Select Link a Bank Account. PayPal will ask whether you want to link for transfers out of PayPal, transfers into PayPal, or both — choose based on what you need, though you can change this later.

Enter your bank's name or routing number, then your account number. PayPal will confirm the account type (checking or savings) and show you a summary. Review it carefully — a wrong account number means the test deposits go to the wrong place and the link fails. Once you confirm, PayPal sends two small deposits (usually between 1 and 99 cents each) to your bank account.

Check your bank account in one to two business days. When the deposits arrive, note both amounts. Go back to PayPal, find the bank link in your Wallet, and select Confirm Bank Account. Enter the two amounts exactly as they appear. PayPal verifies them when ready, and your bank account is now linked.

How long transfers take and what they cost

Moving money from PayPal to your bank takes one to three business days and is free. PayPal processes the transfer when ready, but your bank takes time to receive and post it. Weekends and bank holidays add to the wait. If you initiate a transfer on a Friday afternoon, expect it to land Tuesday or Wednesday.

Moving money from your bank into PayPal is when ready and free once your identity is verified. You see the balance in your PayPal account right away. This only works if PayPal has confirmed your identity through an earlier verification step — usually a small deposit or a document check. If you have never verified your identity, PayPal may hold the transfer for review.

What happens if PayPal flags your account for review

PayPal sometimes holds a new bank link for a few days while it checks for fraud. This is especially common if your account is new, if you have not used PayPal in a while, or if the link request comes from an unusual location or device. You will see a message in your account saying the link is under review.

During review, you cannot transfer money using that bank account, but your PayPal balance and other payment methods still work normally. The review usually clears within 24 to 48 hours. If it takes longer, PayPal may ask you to verify your identity by uploading a photo of your ID or answering security questions. Once cleared, the link works when ready.

Unlinking or removing your bank account

You can remove a bank account from PayPal at any time through Settings > Wallet > Banks and Cards. Select the account and choose Remove. The link disappears when ready, and no future transfers can use that account. Any transfer already in progress will still complete.

If you want to link a different account from the same bank, you can add it as a new link without removing the old one first. PayPal will ask you to confirm the new account with test deposits again.

What to do if the test deposits do not arrive

If you do not see the two test deposits in your bank account after three business days, the account number or routing number you entered was wrong. Log back into PayPal, find the bank link, and select Edit. Double-check both numbers against your check or your bank's website. A single digit wrong will cause the deposits to fail.

If the numbers are correct and the deposits still have not arrived, contact your bank's customer service and ask whether they are holding any pending deposits from PayPal. Some banks flag small deposits as suspicious and delay them. Once your bank releases them, you can confirm the amounts in PayPal and complete the link.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I link multiple bank accounts to one PayPal account?

Yes. You can add as many bank accounts as you want. Each one goes through the same test-deposit verification. This is useful if you have accounts at different banks or want to keep transfers separate for budgeting reasons.

What if my bank is not showing up when I search for it?

Try entering your bank's routing number instead of its name. PayPal will identify the bank automatically from the routing number. If that does not work, your bank may not be in PayPal's system — contact PayPal support with your bank's name and routing number to confirm.

Do I have to verify my identity before I can transfer money?

You must verify your identity to transfer money into PayPal from your bank. Transferring out of PayPal to your bank works without identity verification. PayPal usually verifies you automatically when you add a payment method or receive money, but you can also verify manually through Settings > Account > Verification.

Is it safe to give PayPal my bank account number?

Yes. PayPal is encrypted and regulated by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Your bank account information is stored securely and only used for transfers you authorize. You can remove the link at any time, and PayPal cannot withdraw money without your permission.

What happens if I accidentally enter the wrong account number?

The test deposits will go to the wrong account, and the link will fail when you try to confirm. You can edit the link and enter the correct account number, then wait for new test deposits. The old deposits (if they landed in someone else's account) belong to that person — PayPal cannot retrieve them, but you can contact your bank to report the error.