What happens when you add a bank account to PayPal
When you add a bank account to PayPal, you create a direct link between your PayPal wallet and your checking or savings account. PayPal uses this connection to move money in both directions: you can transfer funds from your bank into PayPal to pay for things, or pull money out of PayPal back into your bank. The account you add must be in your own name and at a U.S. bank.
PayPal does not charge you to add a bank account or to transfer money between your bank and PayPal, though your own bank may charge fees for certain transactions depending on your account type. Once linked, your bank account appears in your PayPal wallet as a payment method you can choose from when you send money or make a purchase.
The linking process itself takes a few minutes to set up, but PayPal will not let you use the account right away. Instead, PayPal sends two small deposits (usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each) to your bank account over the next few business days. You then confirm the amounts you received, which proves you own the account. Only after you confirm those deposits can you actually move money.
Key Takeaways
- You must add a bank account through the PayPal website or app by providing your routing number and account number, which you can find on a check or your bank's website.
- PayPal sends two small test deposits to your bank account within a few business days, and you must confirm the exact amounts before the account becomes active.
- The confirmation step typically takes three to five business days total, during which you cannot yet transfer money using that bank account.
- You can link multiple bank accounts to one PayPal account, and you can change which one is your default payment method at any time.
Steps to add a bank account through the PayPal website
Log into your PayPal account on a computer or mobile browser. Click on your name or profile icon in the top right corner, then select Settings (or Account Settings on mobile). Look for the section labeled Wallet or Payment Methods.
Click Link a Bank Account or Add Bank Account. PayPal will ask you to choose your bank from a list, or you can search by name. Select your bank and you will be taken to your bank's login page. Log in with your online banking credentials — PayPal does not store this information, and you are logging in directly to your bank's system.
After you log in to your bank, you will see a list of accounts you hold at that bank. Select the checking or savings account you want to link. PayPal will confirm the account holder's name and the last four digits of the account number, then return you to PayPal to finish. The account will now appear in your wallet, but it will show a status of Pending or Unconfirmed.
How to confirm your bank account with the test deposits
Within one to three business days, PayPal sends two small deposits to the bank account you just linked. Check your bank account online or through your bank's app and look for two separate deposits from PayPal. The amounts will be small — typically between $0.01 and $0.99 each — and the description will mention verification or confirmation.
Once you see both deposits in your bank account, return to PayPal. Go back to Settings > Wallet and find the bank account that is still marked as pending. Click on it and select Confirm Bank Account or Verify Bank Account. PayPal will ask you to enter the exact dollar amounts of the two deposits you received. Type in both amounts and click Confirm.
PayPal will verify the amounts match what they sent. If they do, your bank account status will change to Confirmed or Active within a few minutes. You can now transfer money between your PayPal account and this bank account. The two test deposits remain in your bank account — PayPal does not pull them back out.
Adding a bank account through the PayPal mobile app
Open the PayPal app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right. Tap Settings, then Wallet or Payment Methods. Tap Link a Bank Account or the plus icon to add a new payment method.
The app will ask you to choose your bank. Search for your bank by name or scroll through the list. When you select your bank, you will be sent to your bank's app or website to log in. Complete the login and account selection process the same way you would on a computer. Once you return to PayPal, the account will appear in your wallet as pending.
The confirmation process works identically on mobile: wait for the two test deposits, then return to the PayPal app, find the pending account, and enter the deposit amounts to confirm. You do not need to use the same device or app to confirm — you can add the account on your phone and confirm it on a computer, or vice versa.
What to do if you cannot find your routing and account numbers
If you choose to enter your bank details manually instead of logging in through your bank, you will need your routing number and account number. Your routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank branch. Your account number is the unique number for your checking or savings account at that bank.
The easiest place to find both numbers is on a check from your account — the routing number appears on the left side at the bottom, and your account number appears in the middle. 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 can also call your bank's customer service line and ask for your routing and account numbers.
If you enter these numbers manually, PayPal will still send the two test deposits for you to confirm. Manual entry takes slightly longer to process — sometimes up to five business days — but the confirmation step remains the same.
Linking multiple bank accounts and changing your default
You can add more than one bank account to your PayPal wallet. Each account must be confirmed separately with the test deposit process. Once you have multiple accounts linked, you can choose which one to use each time you transfer money out of PayPal, or you can set one as your default.
To change your default bank account, go to Settings > Wallet, find the account you want to use by default, and look for an option that says Make Default or Set as Primary. When you transfer money to your bank without choosing a specific account, PayPal will send it to whichever account is set as default. You can change this at any time.
If you want to remove a bank account from your PayPal wallet, go to the account in your wallet settings and select Remove or Delete. PayPal will ask you to confirm. Removing an account does not affect your bank account itself — it only disconnects it from PayPal. You can add it back later if you change your mind.
Timing and what to expect after confirmation
The entire process from adding your account to being able to use it typically takes three to five business days. The first day or two covers PayPal sending the test deposits. The next one to three business days is the time it takes for those deposits to appear in your bank account. Once you confirm the amounts, your account becomes active when ready.
After your account is confirmed, transfers between PayPal and your bank usually complete within one to two business days. If you transfer money out of PayPal on a Friday afternoon, it may not reach your bank until Monday or Tuesday. Transfers into PayPal from your bank can take the same amount of time. Weekend and holiday transfers may take longer because banks do not process transactions on those days.
If you do not see the test deposits after five business days, check that you added the correct account. If the account information was wrong, PayPal will not be able to send the deposits. You may need to remove the account and add it again with the correct details. If you still do not see the deposits after another few days, contact PayPal support for help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a bank account that is not in my name?
No. PayPal requires that the bank account holder's name match the name on your PayPal account. If you want to use someone else's account, they would need to add it to their own PayPal account instead. This is a security measure to prevent fraud and unauthorized transfers.
What if I enter the wrong bank account number?
If you enter an incorrect account number, the test deposits will go to the wrong account or fail to send. After five business days with no deposits, you can remove the account from PayPal and add the correct one. The test deposits may eventually appear in the wrong account, but they will not affect your PayPal account since you never confirmed them.
Do I have to use the same bank account every time I transfer money?
No. Once you have multiple accounts confirmed, you can choose a different account each time you transfer money out of PayPal. You can also change your default account whenever you want. PayPal will remember which account you used last and may suggest it the next time, but you can always pick a different one.
Why does PayPal send test deposits instead of just asking for my account number?
The test deposits prove you actually own the account and can access it. This prevents someone from adding a bank account that belongs to someone else. Once you confirm the exact amounts PayPal sent, you have proven you have access to that account and can receive deposits there.
Can I add an international bank account to PayPal?
PayPal only allows you to link bank accounts in the United States. If your bank account is outside the U.S., you cannot add it directly to PayPal. Some international users can link a U.S. bank account if they have one, or they can use other payment methods PayPal supports in their country.