What you need to do to connect a savings account
To link a savings account to Cash App, open the app, tap the profile icon in the top left corner, select "Linked Banks," and choose "Link a New Bank." Enter your bank's name, then your online banking username and password. Cash App will verify your identity by asking you to confirm two small deposits your bank makes to that account — usually within one to two business days. Once you confirm those amounts, the account is linked and ready to use.
The entire process takes about five minutes of your time, though the verification part waits for your bank to move money. You do not need to leave the app or call your bank. Cash App handles the connection through a service called Plaid, which is a third-party company that securely connects apps to banks.
Key Takeaways
- You will need your online banking login information to link a savings account, and Cash App will ask you to verify two small test deposits your bank sends.
- The linking process itself takes a few minutes, but the verification deposits may take one to two business days to arrive.
- Once linked, you can transfer money from your savings account into Cash App, or from Cash App back to your savings account.
- Cash App uses Plaid, a third-party security service, to connect to your bank — you are not giving Cash App direct access to your bank account.
Why you might link a savings account instead of a checking account
Most people link a checking account to Cash App because that is where they receive paychecks and pay bills. But some people link a savings account instead if they want to keep their spending money separate from their savings, or if their bank charges fees on checking accounts but not savings accounts.
Linking a savings account works the same way as linking a checking account. The main difference is that transfers from your savings account to Cash App may take slightly longer if your bank has daily transfer limits on savings accounts — some banks restrict how many times per day you can move money out of savings. Check your bank's rules before you link, or call and ask.
Step-by-step: linking your account
Step 1: Open Cash App and go to your profile. Tap the profile icon (it looks like a person's silhouette) in the top left corner of the home screen.
Step 2: Find the banking section. Scroll down and tap "Linked Banks." If you have never linked a bank before, you will see a button that says "Link a New Bank."
Step 3: Enter your bank's name. Type the name of your bank. Cash App will show you a list of banks that match what you typed. Tap your bank when you see it.
Step 4: Log in to your bank. Cash App will ask for your online banking username and password. Enter them exactly as you would to log into your bank's website or app. Cash App does not store this information — it passes it to Plaid, which verifies it and then deletes it.
Step 5: Wait for verification deposits. Your bank will send two small deposits (usually less than $1 each) to the savings account you linked. This normally happens within one to two business days. Check your savings account online or through your bank's app to see the amounts.
Step 6: Confirm the deposit amounts. Go back to Cash App and tap "Verify Your Bank Account." Enter the two amounts your bank sent. Once you do, the account is fully linked.
What happens if verification deposits do not arrive
Verification deposits usually arrive within one to two business days, but sometimes they take longer if your bank processes deposits slowly or if there is a weekend in between. Wait at least three business days before assuming something went wrong.
If more than three business days have passed and you still do not see the deposits, check that you entered your bank login information correctly. You can also contact your bank directly to ask if they see any pending deposits from Plaid. If your bank is blocking the deposits for security reasons, you may need to call your bank and tell them to allow them through.
If you cannot get the deposits to go through, Cash App offers an alternative: you can link your account using your bank's routing number and account number instead. Tap "Link a New Bank" again and look for an option that says "Enter Account Details Manually" or similar. You will find your routing number on the bottom left of any check, and your account number on the bottom center.
Moving money between Cash App and your savings account
Once your savings account is linked, you can transfer money in either direction. To move money from your savings account into Cash App, tap the "$" icon at the bottom of the home screen, then tap "Add Cash." Choose the amount and confirm. The money usually arrives within one to three business days.
To send money from Cash App back to your savings account, tap the "$" icon, then tap "Cash Out." Choose your linked bank account, enter the amount, and confirm. This also takes one to three business days. Cash App charges a fee for when ready transfers (usually 1.5 percent of the amount), but standard transfers to your bank account are free.
Security and what Cash App can and cannot do with your account
When you link your savings account, you are giving Cash App permission to see your account balance and move money in and out. You are not giving Cash App access to your online banking password — Plaid handles that securely and deletes it after verification. Your bank account login stays between you and your bank.
Cash App cannot withdraw money without your permission, and it cannot see transactions you made before you linked the account. If you ever want to unlink your savings account, go back to "Linked Banks" and tap the account, then choose "Remove Bank." This stops Cash App from being able to move money, though any transfers already in progress will still complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link more than one savings account to Cash App?
Yes. You can link multiple accounts from the same bank or from different banks. Each one goes through the same verification process. This is useful if you have savings at two different banks and want to move money between them and Cash App.
What if my bank is not showing up when I search for it?
Very small banks or credit unions sometimes do not appear in Cash App's list. Try searching for the parent company or the bank's full legal name. If it still does not show up, use the manual entry option with your routing number and account number instead.
Do I need a Cash App balance to link a savings account?
No. You can link a savings account whether your Cash App balance is zero or full. Linking just means Cash App knows about the account and can move money to and from it when you ask.
How long does a transfer from my savings account to Cash App actually take?
Standard transfers take one to three business days. Weekends and bank holidays do not count as business days, so a transfer you start on Friday might not arrive until Tuesday. Cash App shows you an estimated arrival date when you start the transfer.
What if I accidentally entered the wrong savings account number?
If you realize the mistake before the verification deposits arrive, unlink the account and start over with the correct number. If the deposits already went to the wrong account, contact your bank and ask them to reverse the deposits, then link the correct account in Cash App.