What happens when you link your bank account
Linking your bank account to PayPal means giving PayPal permission to move money in and out of that account. Once linked, you can send money to other people through PayPal, receive payments into your bank account, or transfer your PayPal balance back to the bank. PayPal does not store your actual bank account number on its servers — instead, it uses a find connection that lets it request transfers on your behalf.
The link is not automatic. You have to start the process yourself, and PayPal will verify that you own the account by making two small test deposits (usually under $1 each) to your bank. You confirm the amounts, and then the account is active.
Once linked, you can unlink it at any time from your PayPal settings. Unlinking does not affect your PayPal balance or any transactions already completed.
Key Takeaways
- You will need your bank's routing number and your account number to start the link, both of which appear on the bottom left of your checks.
- PayPal sends two small test deposits to your bank account, and you must log into PayPal and enter those amounts to confirm you own the account.
- The verification process usually takes three to five business days, depending on how fast your bank processes the deposits.
- Once verified, you can transfer money from PayPal to your bank account, though the transfer itself takes one to three business days to arrive.
Gather your bank information before you start
You will need two pieces of information from your bank: your routing number and your account number. Both appear on the bottom left of any check you have from that account. The routing number is the first set of nine digits; the account number is the longer set that follows.
If you do not have checks, you can find both numbers by logging into your bank's website or app and looking at your account details. You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask them to read you both numbers over the phone.
Make sure you are using the account number for the specific account you want to link — if you have a checking account and a savings account, they have different account numbers even though they share the same routing number.
The step-by-step process to link your account
Start by logging into your PayPal account on a computer or the PayPal app. Go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right on a computer, or the menu icon on the app). Select Wallet or Banks and Cards, depending on which version you see. Then click Link a Bank Account.
PayPal will ask you to choose your bank from a list, or to enter your bank's name if it does not appear. Select your bank, then enter your routing number and account number. Double-check both numbers before you submit — a single digit wrong will cause the link to fail.
Click Link Bank Account. PayPal will tell you that it has sent two small test deposits to your bank. This is normal and expected. You will see a message saying the deposits may take one to three business days to arrive.
Confirming the test deposits
Once the two test deposits arrive in your bank account, you need to tell PayPal the amounts. Log back into PayPal, go to Settings > Wallet (or Banks and Cards), and find the bank account you just linked. It will show a status like "Pending" or "Awaiting Confirmation."
Click on that account and select Confirm Deposits or Verify Bank Account. PayPal will ask you to enter the two amounts. Check your bank statement or your bank's app to find the exact amounts — they are usually very small, often between $0.01 and $0.99 each. Enter both amounts and click Confirm.
PayPal will verify the amounts when ready. If they match, your account is now linked and ready to use. If they do not match, you can try again, but you only get a limited number of attempts before PayPal locks you out and you have to start over.
What you can do once your account is linked
With a linked bank account, you can transfer money from your PayPal balance to your bank account. This is useful if you have received money through PayPal and want it in your actual bank account where you can spend it. Go to Wallet, select Transfer Money, choose Transfer to Your Bank, enter the amount, and confirm. The money usually arrives in one to three business days.
You can also use your linked bank account to fund PayPal payments if your PayPal balance is too low. When you send money or pay for something, PayPal will ask where the money should come from — you can choose to pull it directly from your linked bank account instead of using your PayPal balance.
Some people link a bank account so they can receive direct deposits from their employer or from other services into their PayPal account first, then transfer it to their actual bank. This is less common but possible depending on your situation.
Security and what PayPal does with your information
PayPal uses encryption, which means your bank information is scrambled so that only PayPal's find servers can read it. Your actual account number is not stored in a way that a hacker could easily access, and PayPal does not share your bank details with other companies.
That said, linking any account to any service does create a connection. If PayPal's systems were ever breached, your bank information could theoretically be at risk. For this reason, some people prefer to link a savings account they do not use for everyday spending, or to unlink the account after they are done using it.
You can unlink your bank account at any time by going to Settings > Wallet, finding the account, and selecting Remove or Unlink. Unlinking does not affect any money already in your PayPal account or any transfers already in progress.
Troubleshooting common problems
If the test deposits do not arrive after five business days, your bank information may be wrong, or your bank may not accept the deposits for some reason. Check that you entered your routing number and account number correctly — even one wrong digit will cause the deposits to fail. If the numbers are correct, contact your bank and ask if they have any blocks on small deposits or transfers from PayPal.
If you enter the wrong amounts when confirming the deposits, PayPal will reject them and you can try again. However, after a few failed attempts, PayPal will lock you out and you will have to remove the account and start the process over. Take your time entering the amounts and check your bank statement carefully.
If your bank is not on PayPal's list, you can usually still link it by searching for the bank's name or selecting "Other Bank" and entering the routing number. If that does not work, contact your bank's customer service to confirm that they allow third-party connections like PayPal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link more than one bank account to PayPal?
Yes. You can link multiple accounts from the same bank or from different banks. Each one goes through the same verification process with test deposits. This is useful if you have both a checking and savings account and want to transfer between them through PayPal, though most people just link one.
What if I do not have checks and cannot find my routing number?
Log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for account details or account information. The routing number is usually listed there. If you cannot find it online, call your bank's customer service number (on the back of your debit card) and ask them to read you the routing number and account number.
Do I have to keep my bank account linked all the time?
No. You can unlink it whenever you want from your PayPal settings. Unlinking does not delete your PayPal account or affect any money you have in PayPal. You can link it again later if you need to.
How long does it take to transfer money from PayPal to my bank account?
Transfers usually take one to three business days, depending on your bank. Weekends and holidays do not count as business days. PayPal will show you an estimated arrival date when you start the transfer.
Is it safe to link my bank account to PayPal?
PayPal uses encryption to protect your information, and you can unlink at any time. However, linking any account to any service does create a connection. If you are uncomfortable with that, you can link a separate savings account you do not use for everyday spending, or unlink after you are done using it.