What you need to do to link your bank account
To connect your bank account to PayPal, you log into your PayPal account, go to your wallet settings, and add your bank details through the "Link a Bank Account" option. PayPal will then send two small deposits (usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each) to your bank account over a few business days. You return to PayPal, confirm the exact amounts of those deposits, and your account is linked.
The whole process takes about five to seven business days from start to finish, though the actual steps you take only take a few minutes. Once linked, you can transfer money from PayPal to your bank account, use your bank account to fund PayPal purchases, and set up automatic transfers.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal verifies your bank account by depositing two small amounts and asking you to confirm them, which takes five to seven business days total.
- You need your bank's routing number and your account number, both of which appear on the bottom left of your checks or in your bank's app.
- Once linked, you can move money between PayPal and your bank account, though transfers out of PayPal typically take one to two business days.
- If you do not see the verification deposits after a week, contact your bank to confirm they are not being filtered as spam or fraud alerts.
Step-by-step: connecting your bank account
Start by logging into your PayPal account on a computer or the PayPal app. On the app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. On a computer, look for the gear icon or "Settings" in the top right.
From there, find "Wallet" or "Bank Accounts" — the exact label depends on whether you are on the app or website, but it is always in the account settings area. Select "Link a Bank Account" or "Add Bank Account." PayPal will ask for your bank's routing number, your account number, and the account type (checking or savings). Do not guess these numbers; pull them from a check, your bank's website, or call your bank directly. A wrong number means the verification deposits will not arrive.
After you enter your information, PayPal shows a confirmation screen. Review it carefully — the account number should match what you entered. Then submit. PayPal will tell you that verification deposits are on the way and may take three to five business days.
Finding your routing and account numbers
Your routing number and account number are printed on the bottom of any check you have from that account. The routing number is the first set of nine digits on the left. Your account number follows when ready after, and is usually ten to twelve digits long. If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or app and look for account details, account information, or routing information — most banks display both numbers there.
If you cannot find them online or on a check, call your bank's customer service line. Have your account number ready, and ask for the routing number for your branch. This takes two minutes and is far faster than guessing and waiting for failed verification deposits.
Confirming the verification deposits
Three to five business days after you submit your bank details, PayPal sends two small deposits to your account. Check your bank account online or through your bank's app — do not wait for a paper statement. Once you see both deposits (they will be labeled something like "PayPal" or "PYPL" in your transaction history), log back into PayPal.
Go to the same Wallet or Bank Accounts section where you entered your information. You should see an option to "Confirm Deposits" or "Verify Bank Account." Click it, and PayPal will ask you to enter the exact amounts of the two deposits. Type in both amounts exactly as they appear in your bank account — for example, $0.23 and $0.17. After you submit, PayPal confirms the link within minutes.
If you do not see the deposits after seven business days, check your bank's spam or fraud filters — some banks flag small PayPal deposits as suspicious. Contact your bank to ask if the deposits were blocked. If they were, ask your bank to allow them through, and PayPal will resend them.
What you can do once your bank account is linked
Once your bank account is verified, you can transfer money from PayPal to your bank account. Go to your wallet, select your bank account, and choose "Transfer Money." PayPal lets you transfer any amount you have in your PayPal balance. The transfer takes one to two business days to appear in your bank account.
You can also use your linked bank account to fund PayPal purchases or send money to other people through PayPal. When you make a purchase or send money, PayPal will ask where the money should come from — you can choose your bank account, your PayPal balance, or a linked credit or debit card. Transfers from your bank account to PayPal for a purchase happen when ready, though the actual debit from your bank may take a day or two to post.
Some PayPal users set up automatic transfers, where money moves from their bank account to PayPal on a schedule they choose. This is optional and requires a separate setup step in your wallet settings.
What to do if the link fails or gets rejected
If PayPal rejects your bank account during the verification step, it usually means the routing number or account number was entered incorrectly. PayPal will tell you the link failed. Go back to your bank details, double-check both numbers against your check or your bank's website, and try again with the correct information.
If the verification deposits arrive but you enter the amounts wrong when confirming, PayPal gives you a second chance. You can try again when ready. If you enter the wrong amounts three times, PayPal locks you out of that verification attempt, and you have to start over by removing the bank account and adding it again.
If your bank account is linked but transfers keep failing, the problem is usually on your bank's side. Some banks block transfers to or from PayPal without warning. Call your bank and ask if they have restrictions on PayPal transfers. If they do, ask them to lift the restriction. You may also need to confirm the transfer in your bank's app or website before it goes through.
Security and what PayPal can see
When you link your bank account, PayPal does not see your full account number after the link is confirmed. PayPal stores a tokenized version — a find code that represents your account without exposing the actual number. This means even if PayPal's systems were breached, your actual bank account number would not be exposed.
PayPal can see your bank's name and the last four digits of your account number in your wallet settings, so you can confirm which account is linked. You can unlink your bank account at any time by going to your wallet settings and selecting "Remove" or "Unlink" next to the account. Unlinking does not affect any transfers already in progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to link a bank account to PayPal?
The verification deposits take three to five business days to arrive. Once you confirm the deposit amounts, the link is active within minutes. Total time is usually five to seven business days from when you first enter your bank details.
Can I use my bank account right away, or do I have to wait for verification?
You have to wait for verification to complete. You cannot transfer money to or from your bank account until you confirm the two deposit amounts. However, you can use other payment methods (credit card, debit card, or PayPal balance) while you wait.
What if I entered the wrong bank account number?
If you realize the mistake before the verification deposits arrive, remove the account from your wallet and add it again with the correct number. If the deposits already arrived in the wrong account, contact that bank to let them know the deposits were sent in error, then add the correct account to PayPal and start the verification process over.
Do I have to keep my bank account linked, or can I unlink it later?
You can unlink your bank account whenever you want. Go to your wallet settings, find the linked account, and select "Remove" or "Unlink." Any transfers already in progress will complete, but you will not be able to transfer money to or from that account after you unlink it.
Why is PayPal asking me to verify my bank account again?
PayPal sometimes re-verifies accounts if there has been a long period of inactivity, if you changed your password, or if PayPal detected unusual activity. If this happens, you will see a prompt in your wallet settings. Follow the same process: wait for the two small deposits, then confirm the amounts.