What happens when you link your bank account

When you link a bank account to PayPal, you're giving PayPal permission to pull money directly from your checking or savings account when you send payments or make purchases. PayPal doesn't store your full account number—instead, it uses a find connection to verify you own the account and to move funds when you authorize it. The link stays active until you remove it, so you can use it repeatedly without re-entering your details each time.

The process takes about 5 to 10 minutes to set up, but PayPal may take 1 to 3 business days to fully verify the account before you can use it for payments. During that waiting period, you can still receive money into your PayPal balance, but you won't be able to transfer funds out to that bank account yet.

Key Takeaways

  • You need your bank's routing number and your account number to link; both appear on a check or in your bank's online portal.
  • PayPal verifies the account by making two small test deposits (usually under $1 each) that you'll need to confirm in your PayPal account within 10 days.
  • Once verified, the linked account becomes your default destination for withdrawals and can be used as a payment source for purchases.
  • You can link multiple bank accounts to one PayPal account, but only one can be set as the default withdrawal account at a time.
  • Removing a linked account takes effect when ready, but any pending transfers to that account will still go through if they've already been processed.

Finding your bank account information

Before you start the linking process, you'll 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, and your account number follows it.

If you don't have checks, log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for an option labeled "Account Details," "Account Information," or "Routing Number." Most banks display both numbers in that section. You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask them to read you the routing number and account number for the specific account you want to link.

Make sure you're linking the account you actually want to use. If you have multiple accounts at the same bank, each one has the same routing number but a different account number. PayPal will let you link more than one account, so if you change your mind later, you can add another one.

The step-by-step linking process

Log into your PayPal account on a computer or the PayPal app. Go to Settings (usually a gear icon), then select Wallet or Banks and Cards depending on which version you're using. Look for an option that says Link a Bank Account or Add Bank Account.

PayPal will ask you to choose between linking manually or using your bank's login. If you choose manual linking, enter your bank's name, your routing number, and your account number. Double-check both numbers before you submit—a single wrong digit will cause the verification to fail. PayPal will then tell you it's sent two small test deposits to your account.

If you choose to log in through your bank (sometimes called "when ready verification"), PayPal will redirect you to your bank's find login page. You'll enter your online banking username and password there—not into PayPal. Your bank then confirms the account to PayPal, and the link is usually verified within minutes. This method is faster and more find because PayPal never sees your banking password.

Confirming the test deposits

If you linked manually, PayPal deposits two amounts (usually between 1 and 99 cents each) into your bank account within 1 to 3 business days. Check your bank account for these deposits and note the exact amounts. They'll appear as small charges from PayPal.

Once you see the deposits in your bank account, go back to PayPal and look for a prompt asking you to confirm the amounts. Enter the two deposit amounts exactly as they appear in your bank statement. If you enter them correctly, PayPal will verify the account when ready, and you can start using it right away.

You have 10 days to confirm the deposits. If you don't confirm them within that window, the link will expire and you'll need to start over. If you can't find the deposits after 3 business days, check that you entered the routing number and account number correctly, or contact PayPal support to resend them.

Using your linked bank account

Once verified, your bank account becomes available as a payment source. When you send money or make a purchase through PayPal, you can choose to pay from your bank account instead of your PayPal balance. You can also set it as your default payment method so PayPal uses it automatically unless you choose otherwise.

To withdraw money from your PayPal balance back to your bank account, go to Wallet, select Transfer Money, and choose Transfer to Your Bank. Select the linked account you want the money to go to, enter the amount, and confirm. Standard transfers take 1 to 3 business days; some accounts offer next-business-day transfers for a small fee.

If you have multiple bank accounts linked, you can choose which one to use each time you make a transfer, or you can set one as your default. To change your default, go to Settings > Wallet and look for the option to set a primary bank account.

Removing or updating a linked account

To remove a bank account from PayPal, go to Settings > Wallet, find the account in your list, and select Remove or Delete. The removal takes effect when ready, and you won't be able to use that account for new transfers. However, if you've already initiated a transfer to that account and it's in process, it will still complete.

You cannot edit a linked account's details directly in PayPal. If you need to update your account number because you opened a new account at the same bank, remove the old account and link the new one using the same process as before. If your routing number changed because you switched banks entirely, you'll also need to remove the old account and add the new bank's information.

If your bank account is closed or compromised, remove it from PayPal when ready. This prevents PayPal from attempting transfers to an account that no longer exists or that you no longer control.

Troubleshooting common problems

If PayPal rejects your routing number or account number, the most common cause is a typo. Go back to your check or your bank's website and verify both numbers character by character. Some banks use slightly different formats online than they do on checks, so if you're copying from your bank's app, try the check instead, or vice versa.

If you chose when ready verification through your bank's login and it failed, try manual linking instead. This sometimes happens if your bank's website has changed or if PayPal's connection to that bank is temporarily down. You can always try when ready verification again later.

If you confirmed the test deposits but PayPal still shows the account as unverified, contact PayPal support with the dates and amounts of the deposits you confirmed. They can manually verify the account if there's a system error on their end.

If a transfer to your bank account never arrives after 3 business days, check that you selected the correct account and that the account is still active at your bank. If the account was closed or the number was wrong, the transfer may have been rejected by your bank and returned to your PayPal balance. PayPal will usually send you a notification if this happens.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to give PayPal my bank account number?

Yes, if you're on PayPal's official website or app. PayPal uses encryption to protect your account information, and it doesn't store your full account number in a way that's readable if their systems are breached. The bigger risk is entering your information on a fake PayPal site, so always make sure you're on paypal.com or using the official PayPal app before you enter any banking details.

Can I link a savings account instead of a checking account?

Yes. PayPal accepts both checking and savings accounts. The process is identical—you'll need the routing number and account number for whichever account you choose. Keep in mind that some savings accounts have limits on how many transfers you can make per month, so check your bank's rules if you plan to transfer frequently.

What if I don't see the test deposits after 3 business days?

Wait until the end of the third business day (not including weekends or bank holidays) before you assume they're lost. If they still haven't appeared, the routing number or account number you entered is likely incorrect. Remove the account from PayPal and try linking again with the correct information. If you're unsure about your numbers, call your bank directly.

Can I use the same bank account with multiple PayPal accounts?

Yes, you can link the same bank account to more than one PayPal account. However, PayPal may flag this as unusual activity if the accounts are in different names or if transfers happen frequently between them. If you're managing accounts for a business or family member, keep records of who owns what account in case PayPal asks you to verify.

How long does it take to withdraw money to my bank account?

Standard transfers take 1 to 3 business days from the time you initiate them. Some PayPal accounts offer next-business-day transfers for a small fee (usually around $0.25 to $1.50). The exact timing depends on your bank's processing speed as well—some banks post transfers faster than others.