The basic steps to link your bank account
To link your bank account to Cash App, open the app, tap the profile icon in the top left corner, select "Linked Bank Accounts," and then tap "Link Bank Account." Cash App will ask for your bank's name, your account number, and your routing number. You can find both numbers on a check, or by logging into your bank's website or calling the bank directly.
Once you enter this information, Cash App connects to your bank through a find system called Plaid, which is a third-party service that many apps use to verify bank details. Plaid will ask you to log in with your bank username and password to confirm you own the account. After you log in, the connection is complete — you do not need to enter your password into Cash App itself.
The whole process usually takes a few minutes. Once linked, your bank account appears in the "Linked Bank Accounts" section, and you can use it to send money, request money, or add funds to your Cash App balance.
Key Takeaways
- You will need your account number and routing number from your bank, both of which appear on a check or in your online banking portal.
- Cash App uses Plaid to verify your bank account, which means you log into your bank once through Plaid but never give your password to Cash App.
- You can link more than one bank account to Cash App, though only one can be your default for sending and receiving money.
- Linking takes a few minutes, but some banks take longer to confirm the connection on their end — up to a business day in rare cases.
Where to find your account and routing numbers
The easiest place to find both numbers is on a blank check from your checkbook. Look at the bottom left of the check: the first set of numbers is your routing number (usually nine digits), and the second set is your account number (usually ten to twelve digits).
If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for a section called "Account Details," "Account Information," or "Statements." Your routing number and account number are listed there. You can also call your bank's customer service line — the number is usually on the back of your debit card — and ask them to read both numbers to you.
Do not confuse your account number with your debit card number. Your debit card number is on the front of the card and is different from your account number.
What happens during the Plaid verification step
After you enter your account and routing numbers, Cash App redirects you to Plaid, which is a separate company that specializes in connecting apps to banks securely. Plaid will ask you to enter your bank's website username and password — the same login you use to check your balance online.
Plaid uses this login to confirm that the account number and routing number you entered are real and that you own the account. Once Plaid verifies this, it disconnects and returns you to Cash App. Your password is never stored by Cash App or Plaid after this verification.
Some banks show a warning message during this step saying something like "An external process is trying to access your account." This is normal — it is Plaid doing the verification. You can proceed safely.
Linking multiple bank accounts to Cash App
You can link more than one bank account to the same Cash App profile. To add a second account, go back to "Linked Bank Accounts" and tap "Link Bank Account" again. Follow the same steps with your second bank's details.
When you have multiple accounts linked, one will be marked as your default. This is the account Cash App pulls from when you send money or add funds to your Cash App balance. You can change which account is default by tapping on it and selecting "Set as Default." When you request money from someone, they will send it to whichever account is currently set as default.
If you want to remove a linked account, tap on it and select "Remove." You can re-link it later if you change your mind.
Why Cash App needs your bank information
Cash App needs your bank account linked so it knows where to pull money from when you send it to someone else, and where to deposit money when someone sends it to you. Without a linked bank account, you can only use money that is already sitting in your Cash App balance — you cannot send money you do not have in the app itself.
Linking your bank account also lets you add funds to your Cash App balance directly from your checking or savings account. This is useful if you want to keep a small amount of money in Cash App for quick transfers without keeping a large balance there.
What to do if your bank is not showing up
If you type your bank's name and it does not appear in the list, try searching for it a different way. Some banks go by multiple names — for example, your local credit union might be listed under its full legal name rather than the nickname you use. Try searching for the parent company or the full official name.
If your bank still does not appear, it may not be supported by Plaid yet. In this case, you have two options: contact your bank to ask if they plan to support Plaid connections, or look into whether your bank has its own app or website where you can manage transfers. Some smaller banks and credit unions do not yet work with Plaid, though this is becoming less common.
You can also contact Cash App support through the app by tapping the profile icon, scrolling to "Support," and describing the problem. They may be able to suggest an alternative or let you know if your bank is being added soon.
Security and what you should know about sharing bank details
Sharing your bank login with Plaid is safe because Plaid is a well-established company that works with thousands of apps and major banks. However, you should never share your bank password directly with Cash App itself — if Cash App ever asks you to type your password into the app, that is a sign of a scam or a fake version of the app.
Once your account is linked, you can change your bank password without affecting the connection. Cash App and Plaid do not store your password after the initial verification. If you are worried about security, you can also change your bank password after linking, and the connection will still work.
If you ever want to disconnect Cash App from your bank, you can do so in two places: remove the account from Cash App (as described above), or log into your bank's website and look for a section called "Connected Apps" or "Third-Party Access" and revoke Cash App's permission there.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for my bank account to show up as linked?
Usually a few minutes. In rare cases, your bank may take up to a full business day to confirm the connection on their end. If it has been more than a day, try removing the account and linking it again, or contact Cash App support.
Can I link a savings account instead of a checking account?
Yes. You can link either a checking account or a savings account. The process is the same — you just need the account number and routing number for whichever account you want to use.
What if I do not remember my bank password?
Use your bank's "Forgot Password" option on their website or app to reset it before you try to link to Cash App. Once you have reset your password, you can use the new one to complete the Plaid verification step.
Can someone else link my bank account to their Cash App?
No. Plaid requires you to log in with your own bank credentials, so only you can link your account. If someone asks you to give them your bank password so they can link your account, that is a scam.
Do I need to link a bank account to use Cash App?
No. You can use Cash App to receive money and keep a balance in the app without linking a bank account. However, you cannot send money to others unless you either have funds already in your Cash App balance or link a bank account to pull from.