You can remove a bank account from PayPal in your account settings, and it takes about two minutes

To remove a bank account from PayPal, log into your account on a computer or the mobile app, go to your Wallet, find the bank account you want to remove, and select the option to delete it. PayPal will ask you to confirm — once you do, the account is disconnected from your PayPal wallet. You can add it back later if you change your mind.

The process is straightforward because PayPal doesn't lock you into keeping a bank account linked. You might remove one because you're closing that bank account, switching to a different bank, or straightforward don't want PayPal accessing that particular account anymore. Whatever your reason, you stay in control of what's connected to your wallet.

Key Takeaways

  • Removing a bank account from PayPal takes about two minutes and happens entirely in your account settings.
  • You can remove a bank account whether or not money is currently pending to or from it.
  • Removing a bank account does not close your PayPal account or affect any completed transactions.
  • If you remove your only bank account, you can still receive money in PayPal — you just won't be able to transfer it out until you add another one.

Steps to remove a bank account on desktop

Open PayPal in a web browser and log in with your email and password. Once you're in your account, look for the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner, or click on your name in the top right. From there, select Wallet.

In your Wallet, you'll see a list of all payment methods linked to your account — credit cards, debit cards, and bank accounts. Find the bank account you want to remove and click on it to open its details. Look for a Delete or Remove button, usually near the bottom of the account details. Click it, and PayPal will ask you to confirm that you want to remove this account. Click Yes or Confirm, and it's done.

Steps to remove a bank account on the PayPal mobile app

Open the PayPal app and log in. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right of the screen, then tap Wallet. You'll see your linked payment methods listed.

Tap the bank account you want to remove. On the account details screen, scroll down and tap Remove or Delete. PayPal will ask you to confirm — tap Yes or Confirm, and the account is removed from your wallet.

What happens after you remove a bank account

Once you remove a bank account, PayPal stops showing it as an option when you're sending money or transferring funds. If that was your only linked bank account, you won't be able to move money out of your PayPal balance until you add a different one. You can still receive money into your PayPal account — it just sits there until you link a new bank account to transfer it out.

Removing a bank account does not affect any transactions that already happened. If you sent money from that account to PayPal in the past, or received a transfer to it, those records stay in your transaction history. The account is straightforward no longer connected to your wallet going forward.

If you need to remove a bank account that has a pending transfer

Sometimes you might want to remove a bank account while money is in the process of moving to or from it. PayPal usually lets you remove the account anyway — the pending transfer will still go through because it's already in the system. However, if the transfer hasn't started yet, removing the account might cancel it.

Before you remove a bank account with a pending transfer, check your Activity or Transaction History to see the status. If the transfer shows as "pending" or "processing," contact PayPal support through the app or website to ask whether removing the account will affect it. This takes a few minutes and saves you from accidentally canceling a transfer you meant to keep.

Adding a bank account back if you change your mind

Removing a bank account is not permanent. If you change your mind, you can add the same account back to your PayPal wallet at any time. Go to your Wallet, select Link a Bank Account, and enter the routing number and account number again. PayPal will verify the account with two small deposits (usually within one to two business days), and then it's linked again.

You don't lose anything by removing an account — you're just disconnecting it from PayPal temporarily. If you're switching banks, you can remove the old account and add the new one whenever you're ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does removing a bank account close my PayPal account?

No. Removing a bank account only disconnects that one payment method from your wallet. Your PayPal account stays open, and all your transaction history remains. You can still send and receive money through other linked payment methods.

Can I remove a bank account if I have money pending?

Usually yes, but it depends on whether the transfer has already started processing. If it's still showing as "pending," removing the account might cancel it. Check your transaction history first, and contact PayPal support if you're unsure whether the transfer will go through.

What if I remove my only bank account?

You can still receive money into your PayPal balance, but you won't be able to transfer it out until you link a new bank account. You can add a different bank account whenever you're ready, and the transfer process takes one to two business days.

Will PayPal charge me a fee to remove a bank account?

No. Removing a bank account is free. PayPal doesn't charge you for disconnecting or reconnecting payment methods.

Can I remove a bank account that's set as my primary payment method?

Yes. You can remove any bank account, including the one marked as primary. If you remove your primary account, PayPal will ask you to choose a new primary payment method from your remaining linked accounts before the removal is complete.