What you need before you start
To add a bank account to PayPal, you will need your routing number and account number. These appear on the bottom left of any check you have from that account, or you can log into your bank's website or app and find them in the account details section. You will also need your PayPal login and password, and access to the email address or phone number linked to your PayPal account — PayPal will send a confirmation code there during the process.
The account must be in your name or a name that matches your PayPal account. If you are adding a joint account, the name on the account should match at least one of the names on your PayPal profile. PayPal does not add accounts belonging to someone else, even if you have permission to use them.
The whole process takes about five to ten minutes to complete, but PayPal will not let you transfer money until it confirms the account is yours — that confirmation step takes one to two business days.
Key Takeaways
- You need your bank's routing number and your account number, both found on a check or in your bank's online portal.
- PayPal will ask you to confirm the account by verifying a small deposit or by answering security questions, depending on your account history.
- The confirmation step takes one to two business days, and you cannot send or withdraw money until it is complete.
- Once confirmed, you can use the account to receive PayPal transfers, withdraw money from your PayPal balance, or set it as your backup payment method.
Step-by-step: adding the account in PayPal
Log into your PayPal account on a computer or in the mobile app. On a computer, click the gear icon in the top right corner and select Wallet or Account Settings. In the mobile app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and go to Wallet.
Look for a link or button that says Link a Bank Account or Add Bank Account. Click it. PayPal will ask you to choose between linking a U.S. bank account or an international one — select the correct option for your bank.
Enter your routing number and account number in the fields provided. Double-check both numbers before moving forward; a single digit wrong will cause the confirmation to fail. PayPal will also ask for the account type (checking or savings) and the name on the account. Click Next or Continue.
PayPal will show you a summary of the information you entered. Review it carefully, then click Agree and Link Account or similar language. You will receive a confirmation email at the address on file with PayPal.
How PayPal confirms the account is yours
PayPal uses two main methods to confirm ownership. The first is a microdeposit verification: PayPal deposits two small amounts (usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each) into your bank account. These deposits appear in your bank account within one to two business days. You then log back into PayPal, go to your bank account settings, and enter the two amounts you see in your bank statement. Once you enter them correctly, the account is confirmed.
The second method is when ready verification through your bank's login. If your bank is on PayPal's list of supported institutions, PayPal may ask you to log into your bank account directly from within PayPal. You enter your online banking username and password, PayPal verifies the connection, and the account is confirmed when ready. Your password is not stored by PayPal — it is used only to verify the connection exists.
Which method you see depends on your bank and your PayPal account history. If you have had PayPal for a long time with no disputes, you are more likely to see when ready verification. New accounts or accounts with a history of chargebacks typically see the microdeposit method.
What to do if confirmation fails
If the microdeposit amounts do not appear in your bank account after three business days, the routing or account number you entered was likely incorrect. Log back into PayPal, go to your bank account settings, and delete the account. Then add it again, checking each number carefully against your check or your bank's website.
If you entered the microdeposit amounts and PayPal rejected them, you may have entered them in the wrong order or made a typo. PayPal usually gives you two or three attempts before locking you out temporarily. If you run out of attempts, wait 24 hours and try again, or contact PayPal's support team through the Resolution Center in your account.
If you chose when ready verification and it failed, your bank may not be on PayPal's supported list, or your online banking credentials were entered incorrectly. Try the microdeposit method instead by deleting the account and adding it again — this time PayPal should offer the microdeposit option.
Using your bank account after it is confirmed
Once confirmed, your bank account appears in your Wallet section with a status of Confirmed. You can now use it in three ways: to receive money from other PayPal users (they can send you funds directly to that account), to withdraw your PayPal balance to the bank account, or to set it as your backup payment method if your PayPal balance runs low.
Withdrawals to a confirmed bank account typically arrive within one to two business days. PayPal does not charge a fee for transfers to your own bank account. If you set the account as your backup payment method, PayPal will draw from it automatically if you make a purchase and your PayPal balance is too low.
You can add multiple bank accounts to the same PayPal profile. Each one must go through the confirmation process separately. You can also remove a bank account at any time by going to your Wallet settings and clicking Remove or Unlink next to the account name.
Security and what PayPal does with your information
PayPal does not store your full account number or routing number after you add the account. It stores an encrypted token that represents the account, similar to how a credit card processor stores a token instead of your actual card number. This token can only be used within PayPal and cannot be used by other services.
When you choose when ready verification, PayPal does not store your online banking password. The password is used only to verify the connection to your bank, then discarded. Your bank sees the login as coming from PayPal, and you can revoke PayPal's access at any time through your bank's settings.
If your PayPal account is hacked, the person with access cannot withdraw money to a bank account without confirming a new email address or phone number first. PayPal sends a confirmation code to your registered contact information before any withdrawal is processed. This is a separate security step from adding the account itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a savings account or only a checking account?
You can add either. PayPal asks you to specify the account type during setup so it knows how to route the transfer. Savings accounts work the same way as checking accounts for PayPal purposes — the only difference is that some banks may charge a fee if you make too many transfers out of a savings account in a month, but that is your bank's rule, not PayPal's.
What if I do not have checks and cannot find my routing number?
Log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for account details, account information, or settings. Most banks display the routing number and account number there. You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask for your routing number — they will provide it over the phone. Some banks also print the routing number on statements.
How long does it take to withdraw money to my bank account?
Withdrawals typically arrive within one to two business days after you request them. Weekends and bank holidays do not count as business days. If you withdraw on a Friday evening, the money may not arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday. PayPal does not charge a fee for transfers to your own bank account.
Can I add my partner's bank account to my PayPal?
No. The account must be in your name or a name that matches your PayPal profile. If the account is a joint account with both your names on it, you can add it if at least one of those names matches your PayPal name. If the account belongs only to your partner, you cannot add it, even if you have their permission.
What happens if I delete my bank account from PayPal?
The account is removed from your Wallet when ready. Any pending withdrawals to that account will be cancelled and the money returned to your PayPal balance. You can add the same account again later, but it will need to go through the confirmation process again.