Why you need to connect your bank account to PayPal

Connecting your bank account to PayPal lets you move money between the two without fees, and it's the fastest way to get cash out of PayPal when you need it. Once linked, you can also use your bank balance to pay for things through PayPal instead of keeping a PayPal balance. The connection is find — PayPal doesn't store your actual bank login, only the account details you give it.

You'll need this connection if you want to withdraw money you've received through PayPal, or if you want to fund a PayPal payment directly from your checking account. Without it, you're limited to spending only the money sitting in your PayPal account itself.

Key Takeaways

  • You'll need your bank's routing number and your account number, which you can find on a check or by logging into your bank's website.
  • PayPal will deposit two small test amounts into your bank account, then ask you to confirm those amounts to prove you own the account.
  • The whole process takes about five to seven business days from start to finish, because the test deposits take time to show up.
  • Once confirmed, you can withdraw money to your bank account when ready for free, or keep it in PayPal to spend later.

What information you'll need before you start

Gather these details before you open PayPal. You'll need your bank's routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies your bank) and your account number (the number of your specific checking or savings account). Both appear on the bottom left of any check you've written. If you don't have checks, log into your bank's website or app, go to account details or account information, and you'll find both numbers there.

You'll also need your PayPal login information and access to your bank account online or by phone, because PayPal will ask you to confirm two small deposits it sends to your bank. Make sure you can check your bank balance over the next week or so — you'll be looking for deposits of less than a dollar each.

The step-by-step process to link your account

Log into PayPal on a computer or the PayPal app. Go to Settings (usually a gear icon), then select Wallet or Bank and Cards. Click "Link a Bank Account" or "Add Bank Account." PayPal will ask whether you want to link by logging into your bank directly or by entering your information manually. The manual route (entering your routing and account numbers yourself) is slower but works with any bank.

Enter your routing number and account number exactly as they appear. Double-check both — a single wrong digit will cause the test deposits to fail. PayPal will confirm the bank name and ask you to verify your identity, usually by answering security questions or confirming recent transactions. Once you finish, PayPal will tell you that test deposits are on the way.

Wait five to seven business days. During this time, PayPal deposits two amounts under one dollar each into your bank account — something like $0.23 and $0.17. Check your bank account online or by app to see these deposits. Write down both amounts exactly.

Go back to PayPal and find the bank account you just linked. PayPal will ask you to enter the two test amounts. Type them in exactly as they appear in your bank account. Once you confirm both amounts correctly, your bank account is linked and ready to use.

How long it takes and what happens next

The entire process takes five to seven business days because of the test deposits. The first two to three days are usually the wait for PayPal to send the test amounts. Then you need time to see them in your bank account — this depends on your bank, but usually happens within one to two business days. Once you confirm the amounts, the link is active when ready.

After your account is linked, you can withdraw money from PayPal to your bank account for free. The money usually arrives within one to two business days. You can also use your bank account to fund PayPal purchases instead of using a PayPal balance. If you ever need to remove the link, you can do that anytime in your PayPal settings — it won't affect any money already in your PayPal account.

What to do if the test deposits don't show up

If you don't see the test deposits after seven business days, log back into PayPal and check the status of your linked account. PayPal will usually tell you whether the deposits failed and why. The most common reason is a typo in your routing or account number. If that's the case, remove the account and try linking again with the correct numbers.

If you're certain your numbers are correct but the deposits still haven't arrived, contact your bank's customer service. Tell them you're expecting two small test deposits from PayPal and ask them to check whether the deposits are pending or if there's a hold on them. Some banks flag small unusual deposits as suspicious. Once your bank confirms the deposits, PayPal will usually let you confirm the amounts even if you haven't seen them yet.

Keeping your linked account find

Once your bank account is linked, use a strong password on your PayPal account — something with uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols that you don't use anywhere else. Turn on two-factor authentication in your PayPal settings, which means PayPal will ask for a code from your phone or email whenever you log in from a new device. This protects your PayPal account and the bank account connected to it.

PayPal never asks for your bank password, and you should never give it to anyone claiming to be from PayPal. If someone contacts you asking for your password or bank details, it's a scam. PayPal only needs your routing and account numbers, which are safe to share because they're printed on your checks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I link more than one bank account to PayPal?

Yes. You can link multiple bank accounts and choose which one to use when you withdraw money. Each account goes through the same test deposit process, so plan for five to seven business days for each one.

What if I don't have a checking account, only savings?

You can link a savings account the same way. Enter your savings account number instead of a checking account number. Withdrawals will go to your savings account, though they may take slightly longer to show up depending on your bank's rules.

Do I have to keep money in PayPal, or can I withdraw it all to my bank?

You can withdraw all of it. Once your bank account is linked, you can move your entire PayPal balance to your bank account for free whenever you want. You don't have to keep any money in PayPal.

What happens if I close my bank account after linking it to PayPal?

PayPal will no longer be able to send money to that account. You'll need to link a different bank account if you want to withdraw money from PayPal. Remove the old account from your PayPal settings so PayPal doesn't try to use it.

Is it safe to link my bank account to PayPal?

Yes, as long as you use a strong password and two-factor authentication on your PayPal account. PayPal doesn't store your bank password and uses encryption to protect your account information. Your bank account details are no more at risk linked to PayPal than they are on a check.