What happens when you connect PayPal to your bank
Connecting PayPal to your bank account lets money move in both directions: you can transfer funds from PayPal to your bank, and you can fund your PayPal balance directly from your checking or savings account. PayPal uses your routing number and account number to identify your bank and your specific account. Once connected, the link stays active until you remove it, and you can use it repeatedly without re-entering those details each time.
The connection itself is not when ready. When you first add a bank account, PayPal sends two small deposits (usually under $1 each) to that account within one to two business days. You then log into your bank, find those deposit amounts, and enter them into PayPal to confirm you own the account. This verification step protects both you and PayPal — it proves you have access to the account and that the routing and account numbers are correct.
After verification is complete, transfers between PayPal and your bank take one to three business days, depending on your bank and the direction of the transfer. PayPal does not charge a fee for bank transfers, though your bank may charge you if it has its own policies about incoming or outgoing transfers.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal verifies your bank account by sending two small deposits and asking you to confirm the amounts, which takes one to two business days.
- Once verified, you can transfer money from PayPal to your bank or fund your PayPal balance from your bank account without re-entering account details each time.
- Bank transfers take one to three business days to complete, and PayPal does not charge a fee, though your bank may.
- You will need your routing number and account number from a check or your bank's website to add a bank account to PayPal.
Finding your routing and account numbers
Your routing number identifies which bank holds your account. Your account number identifies which specific account at that bank is yours. Both appear on the bottom left of any check you have written — the routing number comes first (nine digits), then your account number (usually ten to twelve digits). If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or mobile app, go to account details or settings, and look for a section labeled "Account Information" or "Routing Number." Most banks display both numbers there.
Some banks also print the routing number on statements or deposit slips. If you cannot find it online and do not have checks, call your bank's customer service line — they can read both numbers to you over the phone. Write them down carefully; a single digit wrong will cause the connection to fail.
Adding your bank account to PayPal
Log into your PayPal account on a computer or the PayPal app. Go to Settings (usually a gear icon), then select Wallet or Banks and Cards depending on which version you are using. Click Link a Bank Account or the plus sign next to "Bank Accounts." PayPal will ask for your routing number, account number, and the account type (checking or savings). Enter these carefully — PayPal will not let you proceed if the numbers do not match the format it expects.
After you submit, PayPal displays a message saying it will send two verification deposits to your account within one to two business days. Do not close this screen when ready; write down or screenshot the confirmation number if PayPal provides one. Then wait for the deposits to arrive in your bank account.
Confirming the deposits and completing verification
Check your bank account one to two business days after you entered your information. You should see two deposits from PayPal, each under $1, with descriptions like "PAYPAL VERIFICATION" or similar. The exact amounts matter — they are usually random numbers like $0.23 and $0.17, or $0.45 and $0.92.
Log back into PayPal and go to the same bank account section where you added the account. You should see the account listed as "Pending Verification" with a button or link to confirm it. Click that button and enter the two deposit amounts exactly as they appear in your bank statement. PayPal will verify them when ready. If the amounts match, your bank account is now connected and ready to use.
If you enter the amounts wrong, PayPal usually gives you a few attempts before locking you out temporarily. If you cannot find the deposits or keep entering them incorrectly, contact PayPal support — they can verify the account manually, though this takes longer.
Transferring money from PayPal to your bank
Once your bank account is verified, you can move money out of your PayPal balance. In the PayPal app or website, go to Wallet, then select Transfer Money or Withdraw. Choose Transfer to Your Bank, select the bank account you want to use (if you have linked more than one), enter the amount, and confirm. PayPal will show you the expected arrival date, which is typically one to three business days.
The transfer is not reversible once you confirm it, so double-check the amount and the destination account before you submit. If you transfer to the wrong account by mistake, contact PayPal support when ready — they may be able to stop the transfer if it has not yet left PayPal's system, but once it reaches your bank, only your bank can help you recover it.
Funding your PayPal balance from your bank account
You can also move money the other direction: from your bank into PayPal. This is useful if you want to pay someone through PayPal but do not have a PayPal balance yet. In the PayPal app or website, go to Wallet, then select Add Money or Transfer Money. Choose Transfer from Your Bank, select the account, enter the amount, and confirm. The money will arrive in your PayPal balance in one to three business days.
Some people set up a small transfer first to make sure the connection works before moving larger amounts. There is no minimum transfer amount, so you can move as little as a few dollars to test the link.
Removing a bank account from PayPal
If you want to disconnect a bank account, go to Settings, then Wallet or Banks and Cards, find the account in the list, and look for a Remove or Delete option. Click it and confirm. PayPal will remove the account when ready, and you will not be able to transfer to or from that account anymore. Any transfers already in progress will still complete.
Removing an account does not affect your PayPal balance or any transactions you have already made. If you reconnect the same bank account later, PayPal will ask you to verify it again with the two deposit method.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for money to show up after I transfer it?
Bank transfers from PayPal to your bank or from your bank to PayPal take one to three business days. Weekends and bank holidays do not count as business days, so a transfer initiated on Friday may not arrive until Tuesday. PayPal shows an estimated arrival date when you confirm the transfer.
Can I connect a savings account instead of checking?
Yes. When you add a bank account to PayPal, you select whether it is checking or savings. Both work the same way — PayPal sends the verification deposits and you confirm them. Some banks process transfers to savings accounts slightly slower, but PayPal does not charge differently based on account type.
What if I enter the wrong routing or account number?
PayPal will reject the information when ready if the format is wrong. If the numbers are correct but belong to a different account than you intended, the verification deposits will go to that account instead. You can then remove the account from PayPal and add the correct one. If you have already transferred money to the wrong account, contact PayPal support right away.
Do I have to keep my bank account connected to PayPal?
No. You can remove it anytime from your PayPal settings. You only need it connected when you want to transfer money. If you remove it and later want to use it again, you will have to go through the verification process a second time.
Can I connect multiple bank accounts to one PayPal account?
Yes. You can add several bank accounts and choose which one to transfer to or from each time you move money. Each account needs to be verified separately with the two-deposit method. This is useful if you have accounts at different banks or want to keep transfers separate for different purposes.