Yes, you can remove your checking account from PayPal at any time

You can disconnect a checking account from your PayPal account whenever you want. PayPal does not lock you in or charge a fee to remove it. The process takes a few minutes and happens when ready — you will not be able to use that account for PayPal transfers or payments right after you do it.

The reason you might remove an account is straightforward: you opened a new bank account, you no longer trust that bank, you want to reduce the number of places your banking information lives, or you straightforward do not use PayPal anymore. Whatever your reason, the steps are the same.

Key Takeaways

  • You can remove a checking account from PayPal through your account settings without calling anyone or waiting for approval.
  • Removing an account does not close your PayPal account or affect money already in your PayPal balance.
  • If you remove your only linked bank account, you will still be able to receive money into PayPal but not transfer it out to a bank.
  • PayPal will not refund any pending transfers to that account, so check for transfers in progress before you remove it.

How to remove a checking account through PayPal's website

Log into your PayPal account on a computer or the PayPal app. Go to Settings (usually a gear icon), then select Wallet or Banks and Cards depending on which version you see. You will see a list of every bank account and card connected to your PayPal account.

Find the checking account you want to remove and click on it. You will see an option that says Remove or Delete. Click that button. PayPal will ask you to confirm — click yes. The account is now disconnected and PayPal will not store your banking information for that account anymore.

The whole process takes less than two minutes. You do not need to contact PayPal support or wait for anything to process. The change is when ready.

What happens to money already in your PayPal account

Removing a bank account does not touch any money sitting in your PayPal balance. If you have $50 in your PayPal account right now, that $50 stays there even after you remove the checking account. You can still use that money to send payments to other people or make purchases through PayPal.

However, if you want to move that money out to a bank account later, you will need to link a different checking account first. PayPal requires a bank account to be connected before you can transfer money out.

What to check before you remove the account

Before you click remove, look at your recent transactions. If you recently asked PayPal to transfer money to that checking account and the transfer is still pending, removing the account may cancel the transfer. Pending transfers usually show a status like "in progress" or "processing" and can take one to three business days to complete.

If a transfer is pending, wait for it to finish before you remove the account. You can see the status of recent transfers in your Activity or Transaction History section. Once the transfer shows as complete, it is safe to remove the account.

If you remove your only linked bank account

If the checking account you are removing is the only one connected to PayPal, you will still be able to receive money from other people. Your PayPal balance will hold that money. You just will not be able to transfer it out to a bank until you link a new account.

You can link a new checking account anytime by going back to Wallet or Banks and Cards and selecting Add a Bank Account. PayPal will ask for your routing number and account number, which you can find on a check or by logging into your bank's website.

Removing a card instead of a checking account

If you want to remove a debit card or credit card instead of a checking account, the steps are identical. Go to Wallet, find the card, click it, and select Remove. Cards are easier to remove than bank accounts because PayPal does not need a card to transfer money out — it only needs a bank account for that.

Removing a card does not affect your ability to send or receive money through PayPal. It only means you cannot use that specific card to add money to your PayPal balance or make purchases.

What PayPal does with your information after you remove the account

When you remove a checking account, PayPal stops storing your routing number and account number for that account. The account is no longer connected to your PayPal profile. However, PayPal may keep a record that the account was once linked to you — this is normal for any financial company and helps prevent fraud.

If you want to link the same checking account again in the future, PayPal will let you do that. You will need to provide the routing and account numbers again, but the process is the same as linking any new account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does removing a bank account close my PayPal account?

No. Removing a bank account only disconnects that one account from PayPal. Your PayPal account stays open, and any money in your PayPal balance remains there. You can still send and receive money through PayPal.

Can I remove a checking account if I have a pending transfer to it?

You can try, but PayPal may not let you remove an account with a transfer in progress. If you can remove it, the pending transfer may be cancelled. Wait for the transfer to complete before removing the account to be safe.

What if I remove my account by mistake?

You can link the same checking account again anytime by going to Wallet and selecting Add a Bank Account. PayPal will ask you to verify the account again, which usually takes one to two business days.

Do I have to remove a checking account if I am not using PayPal anymore?

You do not have to, but it is a good idea. Removing unused accounts reduces the number of places your banking information is stored. If you want to close your PayPal account entirely, you can do that separately through account settings.