You can change your linked bank account in PayPal's settings in about five minutes
Log into your PayPal account on a computer or the mobile app, go to Wallet, then Banks and Cards, and select the bank account you want to remove. Click Remove, then add your new bank account by entering your routing number and account number. PayPal will deposit two small test amounts (usually under $1 each) into the new account within one to two business days, and you'll need to confirm those amounts in your PayPal account to finish linking it. Once confirmed, your new bank account is active for transfers.
The process is straightforward, but timing matters if you have money moving in or out. If you're waiting for a transfer to arrive, removing the old account won't stop it — PayPal will still send it there. If you're about to send money out, make sure your new account is fully confirmed before you initiate the transfer, or the payment will fail and you'll have to start over.
Key Takeaways
- You remove the old account and add the new one through Wallet > Banks and Cards in your PayPal settings.
- PayPal sends two small test deposits to your new account, and you must confirm the amounts to complete the link.
- Test deposits arrive within one to two business days, so plan ahead if you need to transfer money urgently.
- Transfers already in progress will still go to your old account even after you remove it from PayPal.
- You can have multiple bank accounts linked at once, so you don't have to remove the old one when ready if you're still using it.
Step-by-step: removing your old account and adding a new one
Start by signing into PayPal on a web browser or the mobile app. On the web, click your name or profile icon in the top right, then select Account Settings. On the mobile app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), then Settings. From there, look for Wallet or Banks and Cards — the exact wording varies slightly between web and app, but both lead to the same place.
Find the bank account you want to remove and click or tap it. You'll see a Remove button. Click it, and PayPal will ask you to confirm. Once you confirm, that account is unlinked from your PayPal wallet. If you have money scheduled to transfer to that account, PayPal will still send it — removing the account doesn't cancel pending transfers.
Now add your new account. Click Link a Bank Account or the + icon, depending on your device. Enter your bank's name or routing number, then your account number and account type (checking or savings). PayPal will tell you it's sending two test deposits. These arrive within one to two business days and are usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each.
Once the deposits land in your new account, go back to PayPal and enter the exact amounts you see in your bank statement. PayPal verifies the amounts match, and your new account is then fully linked and ready to use.
What to do if test deposits don't arrive within two business days
If you don't see the two test deposits after two business days, first check your bank's pending transactions or spam filters — sometimes deposits show up as pending before they clear. Log into your bank's website or app and search for small deposits from PayPal. If they're there but pending, wait another business day for them to clear.
If the deposits don't appear at all after three business days, go back to your PayPal account and check whether the bank account is still showing as "pending verification." If it is, PayPal may have encountered an issue with your bank's routing number or account number. Double-check both numbers against your bank statement or a blank check — a single digit wrong will cause the deposits to fail. If you find an error, remove the account and add it again with the correct information.
If the numbers are correct and deposits still haven't arrived, contact your bank directly. Ask whether they've received any deposits from PayPal in the last few days. Some banks block small test deposits from third-party services as a fraud prevention measure, and your bank may need to whitelist PayPal. Once your bank confirms they'll accept the deposits, PayPal can resend them — you may need to contact PayPal's support to request a resend.
Why you might want to keep multiple bank accounts linked
PayPal lets you link more than one bank account at the same time, so you don't have to remove your old account the moment you add a new one. This is useful if you're switching banks gradually, still receiving deposits to your old account, or want a backup account in case one bank has a problem.
When you transfer money out of PayPal, you can choose which linked account to send it to. When money comes in (from a payment or refund), PayPal sends it to whichever account you've set as your default. You can change your default account anytime in your Wallet settings. If you decide to keep your old account linked for now, just leave it there — it won't interfere with your new account.
What happens to transfers already in progress
If you've already started a transfer to your old bank account and then remove that account from PayPal, the transfer will still go through. PayPal doesn't cancel transfers based on account changes — it processes the transfer to the account number you specified when you initiated it, regardless of whether that account is still linked to your wallet.
This means if you're switching banks and have a transfer pending, you have two options: wait for the transfer to complete before removing the old account, or remove the old account now and initiate a new transfer to your new account. The second option is faster if you need the money urgently, but it means you'll have two separate transfers happening at once.
Troubleshooting: account won't link or keeps showing as pending
If your new account stays in "pending verification" status for more than three business days, or if PayPal rejects it outright, the most common causes are a mistyped routing number, an account number that doesn't match your bank's records, or a mismatch between the account type you selected (checking vs. savings) and what your bank shows.
Start by verifying your routing number. This is a nine-digit code specific to your bank and branch. You can find it on a blank check (it's the first set of numbers on the bottom left), on your bank's website, or by calling your bank directly. Write it down carefully — even one wrong digit will cause the link to fail. Your account number is usually on the bottom of your checks as well, or you can find it in your online banking portal.
Make sure the account type matches what your bank has on file. If you selected "checking" but the account is actually a savings account, or vice versa, PayPal may reject it. Once you've verified all the information, remove the account and try adding it again. If it still doesn't work after a second attempt, contact PayPal's support team with your routing number and the last four digits of your account number — they can investigate whether your bank is blocking the connection.
How long transfers take once your new account is confirmed
Once your new bank account is fully linked and verified, transfers from PayPal to that account take one to three business days, depending on your bank. The timer starts when you initiate the transfer in PayPal, not when PayPal sends it. Some banks process faster than others — large national banks often clear transfers in one business day, while smaller regional banks or credit unions may take two to three.
Weekends and bank holidays don't count as business days, so a transfer initiated on a Friday afternoon may not arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday. If you need money by a specific date, initiate the transfer at least three business days before that date to be safe. PayPal will show you an estimated arrival date when you start the transfer, but that's an estimate — the actual date depends on your bank's processing speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my bank account if I have a PayPal balance?
Yes. Your PayPal balance is separate from your linked bank account. You can change your bank account anytime, and your PayPal balance stays in your account. When you transfer that balance out, it will go to whichever bank account you've set as your default.
What if I accidentally removed the wrong bank account?
You can add it back anytime by going to Wallet > Banks and Cards and clicking the link button. You'll need to verify it again with the two test deposits, which takes one to two business days. If you removed it very recently and a transfer to that account is still pending, the transfer will still go through even though the account is no longer linked.
Do I need to update my bank account if I switch banks but keep the same account number?
Only if your routing number changes. If you're moving to a different branch of the same bank, your routing number might stay the same — check with your bank. If you're switching to a completely different bank, your routing number will definitely change, and you'll need to update PayPal. Using an old routing number with a new bank will cause transfers to fail.
Can I link a joint bank account to PayPal?
Yes. PayPal doesn't distinguish between individual and joint accounts — it only needs a valid routing number and account number. Both account holders can access the PayPal account if they have the login credentials, but PayPal itself doesn't track who owns the account.
What if my bank rejected the test deposits?
Contact your bank and ask whether they're blocking small deposits from PayPal as a fraud prevention measure. Some banks do this automatically. Ask them to whitelist PayPal or to allow the deposits through. Once your bank confirms they'll accept them, contact PayPal support and request that they resend the test deposits.