Where to find and change your routing and account number in Square Cash
You change your bank routing and account number through the Square Cash app or website, not by contacting Square directly. Open the app, tap your profile icon, select Settings, then Banking or Linked Bank Account. You'll see your current account displayed. To change it, tap Remove or Unlink, then add a new bank account using your new routing and account number.
The process takes about five minutes, but Square may take one to two business days to verify the new account before you can send or receive money again. During that verification window, your old account remains linked if you haven't removed it yet—so you won't lose access to your balance.
If you're changing banks entirely (not just updating the same account), you'll need your new bank's routing number and your new account number. Both appear on a blank check from your new bank, or you can call the bank's customer service line and ask for them directly.
Key Takeaways
- You update your bank account through the Square Cash app under Settings > Banking, not by calling or emailing Square support.
- Square verifies new accounts within one to two business days, during which you cannot send or receive money.
- Your routing number and account number appear on a blank check or are available by calling your bank.
- Removing your old account before adding a new one prevents confusion, but you can keep both linked temporarily if you need to transfer funds first.
- If verification fails, Square will tell you why in the app—usually because the routing or account number doesn't match your bank's records.
Why you might need to change your bank account
The most common reason is switching banks. When you open a new checking or savings account at a different bank, that account has a different routing number and account number, even if it's the same type of account. Square Cash won't automatically update—you have to do it manually.
You might also change accounts within the same bank if you close one account and open another, or if you want to receive Square Cash transfers to a different account than the one you currently have linked. Some people link a savings account for deposits but want to switch to a checking account for easier access.
Occasionally, a bank will issue you a new account number if there's been fraud or a security breach on your account. In that case, your bank will notify you and provide the new number. You'll need to update it in Square Cash the same way.
Step-by-step process for updating on mobile app
Open the Square Cash app and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner (usually your initials or photo). Scroll down to Settings and tap it. Look for Banking, Bank Account, or Linked Bank Account—the exact label varies depending on your app version.
You'll see your current bank account listed with the last four digits of the account number. Tap Remove, Unlink, or the trash icon next to it. Square will ask you to confirm. Once removed, tap Add Bank Account or Link New Account.
Enter your new bank's routing number, your new account number, and confirm the account type (checking or savings). Square will then initiate verification. You may see a message saying verification is in progress—this is normal and takes one to two business days.
Step-by-step process for updating on the website
Go to cash.app and sign in with your phone number and PIN or password. Click your profile icon in the top right, then select Settings. Find Banking or Bank Account in the menu on the left side.
Your linked account will appear with the last four digits visible. Click Remove or Unlink and confirm the action. Then click Add Bank Account and enter your new routing number and account number in the fields provided.
After you submit, you'll see a confirmation message. Square begins verification when ready, though the process still takes one to two business days. You can close the browser and check back later—the app will notify you when verification is complete.
What happens during the verification period
When you add a new bank account to Square Cash, the company verifies that the routing and account number actually belong to you and match your bank's records. This prevents fraud and ensures money goes to the right place. During this window, you cannot send or receive money through Square Cash, even if you have a balance in the app.
Verification usually completes within one to two business days. Weekends and bank holidays can add time—if you add an account on Friday evening, verification may not finish until Tuesday. Once verified, you'll see a green checkmark or confirmation message in the app, and your account is ready to use.
If verification fails, Square will show an error message in the app explaining why. Common reasons include a typo in the routing or account number, or the account being closed at your bank. Double-check both numbers against your bank statement or a blank check, then try again.
What to do if verification fails or takes too long
If you see an error message, the most likely cause is a typo. Write down your routing number and account number from your bank statement or a blank check, then carefully re-enter them. Routing numbers are nine digits; account numbers vary but are usually 10 to 12 digits. One wrong digit will cause verification to fail.
If you've triple-checked the numbers and verification still fails, contact your bank to confirm the account is active and in good standing. Some banks flag new external connections as suspicious and may temporarily block them. Your bank can tell you whether that's happening and can unblock the connection on their end.
If verification is taking longer than two business days, contact Square Cash support through the app. Tap your profile icon, scroll to the bottom, and select Support or Help. Describe the issue and include the date you added the account. Square's support team can investigate delays and sometimes manually verify accounts.
Keeping your old account linked while you transition
You don't have to remove your old account when ready. If you have money in your old linked account and want to transfer it to your new account before switching, you can keep both linked temporarily. However, Square Cash will only let you receive money to one account at a time—whichever one you set as your primary or default.
To avoid confusion, remove the old account once you've confirmed the new one is working. If you remove it too early and realize you need it, you can always link it again using the same routing and account number—Square won't make you wait for verification a second time if the account was recently linked.
If you're worried about losing access to your balance, remember that your Square Cash balance is separate from your linked bank account. Unlinking a bank account does not delete your balance—it just stops Square from being able to send or receive money to that account. Your balance stays in the app until you transfer it out or spend it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have two bank accounts linked to Square Cash at the same time?
Square Cash only lets you link one bank account at a time for sending and receiving money. You can remove one and add another, but you cannot have both active simultaneously. If you need to keep both accounts connected, you would need separate Square Cash accounts.
How long does it take to verify a new bank account?
Verification typically takes one to two business days. Weekends and bank holidays can extend this. If it takes longer than three business days, contact Square Cash support through the app to check the status.
What if I enter the wrong routing or account number?
Square will reject it during verification and show an error message. You can try again when ready with the correct numbers. There's no penalty for failed attempts—you can correct and resubmit as many times as needed.
Do I lose my Square Cash balance if I unlink my bank account?
No. Your balance in the app stays there even after you unlink your bank account. You just won't be able to send or receive money until you link a new account. You can transfer your balance out to any linked account or spend it in the app.
Can I change my bank account if I have a pending transfer?
You should wait for pending transfers to complete before unlinking your account. If you unlink while a transfer is in progress, it may fail or be delayed. Check the app for any pending activity, let it finish, then change your account.