What confirming your bank account means and why PayPal asks for it
Confirming your bank account on PayPal means proving to PayPal that you own the bank account you linked to your PayPal wallet. PayPal does this by sending two small deposits — usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each — to your bank account. You then log into PayPal and enter the exact amounts of those deposits. Once you do, PayPal knows the account is really yours.
PayPal requires this step before you can transfer money out of PayPal and into your bank account. Without confirmation, your PayPal balance sits in your digital wallet but you cannot move it to spend or save it anywhere else. Think of it as PayPal's way of making sure someone did not link a stranger's bank account by mistake.
The whole process usually takes three to five business days from the moment you link your account, because the deposits have to travel through the banking system. Once confirmed, you will not have to do it again — that bank account stays confirmed as long as you keep your PayPal account open.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal sends two small test deposits to your bank account, and you enter their amounts in PayPal to prove you own the account.
- The deposits arrive within three to five business days, and you can confirm as soon as you see them in your bank statement.
- You must confirm before you can transfer money from PayPal to your bank account, but you can still receive and spend money while waiting.
- If the deposits do not arrive after five business days, contact your bank first to check if they are pending, then contact PayPal if your bank has no record of them.
How to link your bank account to PayPal in the first place
Before you can confirm, you need to link your bank account. On the PayPal website or app, go to your Wallet or Account Settings (the exact name depends on whether you are on desktop or mobile). Look for a section called "Bank Accounts" or "Linked Banks." Click the button to add a new account.
PayPal will ask for your bank's name, your account type (checking or savings), your account number, and your routing number. Your account number is on the bottom left of your checks, and your routing number is on the bottom left as well, just before your account number. If you do not have checks, you can find both numbers by logging into your bank's website or calling your bank's customer service line.
After you enter this information, PayPal will tell you that it has linked your account and that you should expect two deposits within three to five business days. At this point, your account is linked but not yet confirmed.
Where to find the confirmation deposits in your bank account
The two deposits will show up in your bank account just like any other deposit. Log into your bank's website or app and look at your recent transactions. The deposits will be small amounts — often $0.01 and $0.02, or similar combinations that add up to less than a dollar. They will appear under the name "PayPal" or "PAYPAL" in your transaction list.
Do not spend or move this money. You need to see the exact amounts so you can enter them into PayPal. Write down both amounts or take a screenshot so you have them ready when you log back into PayPal.
If five business days have passed and you do not see the deposits, check your bank's pending transactions first — sometimes deposits take longer to show up. If they are not there either, contact your bank's customer service to ask if there is a problem with the deposit. Once your bank confirms they have no record of the deposits, contact PayPal's customer service to report the issue.
The step-by-step process to confirm your account on PayPal
Once you see both deposits in your bank account, log into PayPal on a computer or the PayPal app. Go to your Wallet or Account Settings and find the section for Bank Accounts or Linked Banks. You should see your linked bank account listed, and next to it or below it, there should be a button or link that says "Confirm" or "Verify This Account."
Click that button. PayPal will ask you to enter the two deposit amounts. Type in the first amount, then the second amount, exactly as they appear in your bank statement. Do not round or estimate — PayPal needs the exact cents. Click the button to submit.
PayPal will check your answer. If both amounts are correct, you will see a message saying your account is confirmed. If one or both amounts are wrong, PayPal will tell you and let you try again. You have multiple chances, so do not worry if you make a typo the first time.
What you can and cannot do while waiting for confirmation
While your bank account is linked but not yet confirmed, you can still receive money from other people on PayPal, and you can still spend money from your PayPal balance if you have any. You can also send money to other PayPal users. The only thing you cannot do is transfer money out of PayPal and into your bank account.
This matters if you are waiting for a paycheck or a payment from someone else. That money will land in your PayPal wallet, and you can use it to pay for things online or send it to friends. You just cannot move it to your bank until confirmation is complete.
What to do if the deposits never arrive or confirmation fails
If five business days have passed and you have not seen the deposits in your bank account, start by checking with your bank. Call their customer service line or log into your account online and look at pending transactions. Sometimes deposits are held for a day or two before they show up. If your bank has no record of the deposits at all, ask them if there is a problem with your account that might be blocking incoming transfers.
If your bank says the deposits never arrived, contact PayPal's customer service. You can do this through the Help section on the PayPal website or app. Explain that you linked your account but the test deposits did not arrive. PayPal may ask you to confirm your account number and routing number again, or they may resend the deposits. In some cases, PayPal offers an alternative confirmation method — for example, they might ask you to verify your account using your online banking login instead.
If you entered the deposit amounts and PayPal said they were wrong, you have multiple attempts. Go back to your bank statement and double-check the amounts, including the cents. Make sure you are looking at the PayPal deposits and not other small transactions. If you are certain of the amounts and PayPal keeps rejecting them, contact PayPal support — there may be a technical issue on their end.
Why PayPal might not let you confirm even after you enter the amounts correctly
In rare cases, PayPal will confirm your account but then tell you that you still cannot transfer money out. This usually means PayPal has flagged your account for additional review for security reasons. This is not a reflection on you — it happens when PayPal's system detects something unusual, like a new account, a large transfer request, or activity from a new location.
If this happens, PayPal will usually tell you how long the review will take and what you can do in the meantime. You may be asked to provide additional information, such as a photo of your ID or proof of your address. Follow the instructions PayPal sends you. Once the review is complete, you will be able to transfer money normally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I confirm my bank account on the PayPal app, or do I have to use a computer?
You can confirm on either the app or the website. The steps are the same. If you have trouble finding the confirmation button on the app, try the website version — sometimes the mobile layout makes it harder to find.
What if I entered the wrong bank account number when I linked my account?
You will need to remove that account and add the correct one. Go to your Bank Accounts section, find the incorrect account, and delete it. Then add your correct account information. The test deposits will be sent to the new account, and you will confirm those instead.
Do the test deposits stay in my bank account after I confirm?
Yes. The deposits are yours to keep. They are usually less than a dollar total, so most people leave them in their account, but you can spend them if you want.
How long does it take to transfer money to my bank account after confirmation?
Once your account is confirmed, transfers usually take one to three business days. The exact timing depends on your bank. PayPal will show you an estimated arrival date when you request the transfer.
Can I confirm more than one bank account on PayPal?
Yes. You can link and confirm multiple bank accounts. Each one will go through the same two-deposit process. This is useful if you have accounts at different banks or want to transfer money to different accounts for different reasons.