Linking your bank account to Venmo means Venmo can pull money from your checking account when you need to send it, and deposit money there when someone pays you.
You do this through Venmo's settings, and it takes about five minutes. Venmo will verify the account by depositing two small amounts (usually under a dollar each) into your bank account a few days later. You then confirm those amounts back in the Venmo app to prove you own the account. Until you complete this verification, Venmo can hold money you receive but won't let you move it to that bank account.
The process is the same whether you use an iPhone, Android, or the web version. You'll need your bank's routing number and your account number — both appear on a check, or you can find them by logging into your bank's website.
Key Takeaways
- Venmo verifies your bank account by depositing two small amounts and asking you to confirm them, which takes three to five business days.
- You need your bank's routing number and your account number, both of which appear on a check or in your bank's online portal.
- Until verification is complete, Venmo will not let you transfer money from your account to your bank, though you can still receive payments.
- Linking a bank account is different from linking a debit card — a bank account lets you transfer money for free, while a debit card charges a small fee.
The step-by-step process to add your bank account
Open Venmo and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Select Settings, then tap Payment Methods. You'll see options to add a bank account or a card. Tap Add Bank Account.
Venmo will ask for your bank's name. Start typing and select your bank from the list that appears. If your bank doesn't appear, scroll to the bottom and select Other Bank — this route requires you to enter your routing number manually, which takes an extra minute but works with any U.S. bank.
Enter your account number and confirm it. Venmo will show you a summary of what you entered. Review it carefully — a wrong digit means verification will fail. Tap Confirm when everything is correct.
Venmo will tell you that verification is pending and that you should see two deposits within three to five business days. You can close the app and wait. When the deposits arrive in your bank account, return to Venmo, go back to Payment Methods, find the bank account you just added, and tap it. Venmo will ask you to enter the amounts of the two deposits. Type them in exactly as they appear — usually something like $0.23 and $0.17 — and tap Confirm. Your account is now verified.
What happens if verification fails or takes longer than expected
If you don't see the two deposits after five business days, check your bank account carefully. Some banks hide small deposits in a separate pending section or group them with other transactions. Log into your bank's website or app and search your recent transactions for amounts under $1.00. If you genuinely cannot find them, return to Venmo's Payment Methods section and look for an option to re-verify or request new deposits.
If you entered your account number incorrectly, Venmo will not send deposits at all. In this case, delete the bank account from your Payment Methods and add it again with the correct number. Venmo will send new verification deposits to the corrected account.
Weekends and bank holidays can delay deposits by a day or two. If today is Friday and you just linked your account, the deposits may not arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday. This is normal and not a sign something went wrong.
Bank account versus debit card — which one to link
Venmo lets you link both a bank account and a debit card, and they work differently. When you transfer money from a linked bank account to your bank, Venmo charges no fee. When you transfer from a linked debit card, Venmo charges 1.75% of the amount you're sending. For a $100 transfer, that's $1.75 extra.
Linking a bank account also means Venmo can pull money directly from your checking account when you send a payment, rather than holding it in your Venmo balance first. This is faster and keeps your money in your bank longer. For these reasons, linking a bank account is almost always the better choice if your bank is available in Venmo's system.
You can link both at the same time. Some people keep a debit card on file as a backup in case their bank account has a problem, or if they want to send money when their checking account is low.
Security and what Venmo can see
When you link a bank account, you're giving Venmo permission to see your account number and routing number. Venmo does not see your bank password, your full account history, or your balance. The verification deposits prove you own the account — Venmo is confirming that money sent to that account actually reaches you.
Venmo is owned by PayPal and uses the same security standards as PayPal's money transfer service. Your bank account information is encrypted and stored separately from your Venmo username and payment history. If someone gains access to your Venmo account, they cannot see your bank password or access your bank account directly — they can only transfer money out of your Venmo balance or pull money from your linked bank account if you've set up a transfer.
You can unlink your bank account at any time by going to Settings > Payment Methods, tapping the account, and selecting Remove. This does not affect any transfers you've already made.
Troubleshooting common problems
If Venmo rejects your bank account when you try to add it, the most common reason is a typo in your account number or routing number. Double-check both against a check or your bank's website. Some banks use different account numbers for different types of accounts (checking versus savings), so make sure you're entering the number for the account you want to use.
If your bank appears in Venmo's list but the connection fails, your bank may have temporarily blocked the connection for security reasons. Wait a few hours and try again. If it fails a second time, use the Other Bank option and enter your routing number manually.
If you've verified your account but transfers to your bank are failing, check that your bank account is still active and that you haven't hit any transfer limits. Some banks limit how many transfers you can make per month, or how much you can transfer in a single day. Contact your bank to confirm your account is in good standing.
Moving money between Venmo and your bank account
Once your bank account is linked and verified, you can transfer money in two directions. To move money from Venmo to your bank, tap the menu icon, select Transfer Money, choose To Bank, enter the amount, and confirm. The money usually arrives in one to three business days, depending on your bank.
To move money from your bank to Venmo (to top up your Venmo balance before sending a payment), tap the menu icon, select Add Money, choose your bank account, enter the amount, and confirm. This transfer is usually when ready or takes a few minutes.
You don't have to transfer money to your bank at all if you don't want to. When someone pays you through Venmo, the money sits in your Venmo balance. You can spend it by sending it to other Venmo users, or you can transfer it to your bank whenever you're ready. There's no important date and no fee for leaving it in Venmo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link a savings account instead of a checking account?
Yes. Venmo works with both checking and savings accounts. The process is identical — you enter your account number and routing number, wait for the verification deposits, and confirm them. Transfers may take slightly longer to a savings account because some banks process them differently, but Venmo will still complete them.
What if I don't have checks and can't find my routing number?
Log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for account details or account information. Your routing number and account number are usually listed there. If you can't find them, call your bank's customer service line — they can give you both numbers in under a minute.
Do I have to confirm the verification deposits, or does Venmo do it automatically?
You have to confirm them manually. Venmo will not automatically verify your account even after the deposits arrive. You must go back to Venmo, find the bank account in your payment methods, and enter the two amounts. This step proves you have access to the bank account.
Can I link the same bank account to multiple Venmo accounts?
No. Each bank account can only be linked to one Venmo account. If you try to link it to a second account, Venmo will reject it. If you need to move a bank account from one Venmo account to another, unlink it from the first account, wait a few minutes, then link it to the second.
What happens if my bank account closes after I've linked it to Venmo?
Transfers to that account will fail, and Venmo will notify you. You'll need to unlink the closed account and link a new one. If someone tries to pay you while the account is unlinked, the money will stay in your Venmo balance until you link a new account or transfer it elsewhere.