You can remove a bank account from PayPal in about two minutes through your account settings
To unlink a bank account, log into PayPal on a computer or phone, go to your Wallet, find the bank account you want to remove, and select the option to delete or unlink it. PayPal will ask you to confirm. Once you confirm, the account is no longer connected to your PayPal wallet — you cannot send money to it or receive money from it through PayPal anymore.
The process is the same whether you linked the account to send money, receive deposits, or both. You do not need to contact PayPal support unless something goes wrong during the removal.
Key Takeaways
- You can unlink a bank account through PayPal's Wallet section on either the website or the mobile app in under five minutes.
- PayPal will ask you to confirm the removal before the account is actually deleted from your wallet.
- Removing a bank account does not close your PayPal account or affect any other payment methods you have linked.
- If you have a pending transfer to or from that bank account, you may need to wait for it to complete before unlinking.
- You can re-link the same bank account later if you change your mind.
Step-by-step removal on the PayPal website
Open PayPal in a web browser and log in with your email and password. Once you are logged in, look for the Wallet option in the menu — on most versions it appears near the top of the page or in a sidebar.
Click on Wallet. You will see a list of all the payment methods connected to your account: credit cards, debit cards, and bank accounts. Find the bank account you want to remove and click on it. A details panel will open showing the account number (usually masked, like the last four digits), the bank name, and account type.
Look for a menu icon (three dots or a gear symbol) or a link that says Remove, Delete, or Unlink. Click it. PayPal will show a confirmation message asking "Are you sure you want to remove this bank account?" Click Yes or Confirm. The account is now removed from your wallet.
Removing a bank account on the PayPal mobile app
Open the PayPal app and tap the menu icon (usually three horizontal lines) at the bottom or top of the screen. Tap Wallet. You will see your linked payment methods listed.
Tap the bank account you want to remove. A details screen will appear. Tap the menu icon (three dots) in the top right corner or look for a Remove button. Tap it, then confirm when PayPal asks you to verify the removal.
The steps are nearly identical on iPhone and Android, though the exact location of buttons may differ slightly depending on your phone's operating system.
What happens after you unlink a bank account
Once the account is removed, PayPal can no longer access it. You cannot send money from that account through PayPal, and PayPal cannot deposit money into it. If you had set that account as your default for transfers, PayPal will ask you to choose a new default the next time you try to move money.
Your PayPal account itself remains open and active. Any other payment methods you have linked — other bank accounts, credit cards, or debit cards — stay connected and work normally. Removing one bank account does not affect them.
If you want to use that same bank account with PayPal again in the future, you can re-link it by going back to Wallet and adding a new payment method. You will need to verify the account again, which usually takes one to two business days.
When you might need to wait before unlinking
If you have a pending transfer — money that is on its way to or from that bank account — you may not be able to unlink it when ready. PayPal will show an error message saying the account cannot be removed while a transfer is in progress.
Wait for the transfer to complete. This usually takes one to three business days depending on your bank. Once the transfer has finished, you can unlink the account without any issues.
If you see an error message that does not mention a pending transfer, or if the account still will not unlink after a transfer completes, contact PayPal support through the Help Center in your account settings.
Reasons people unlink bank accounts
You might remove a bank account because you closed that account at your bank, switched to a different bank, or straightforward do not want PayPal connected to that account anymore. Some people unlink accounts when they are concerned about security or want to reduce the number of places their banking information is stored.
You might also unlink an account if you are no longer using PayPal regularly and want to clean up your wallet. Removing unused payment methods is a reasonable security practice — the fewer places your bank details are stored, the fewer places a breach could expose them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will unlinking a bank account close my PayPal account?
No. Removing a bank account only disconnects that one payment method. Your PayPal account stays open and active. You can still use any other payment methods you have linked, and you can still receive money through PayPal.
Can I unlink a bank account if I have a pending transfer?
Usually not until the transfer completes. PayPal will show an error message if you try. Wait one to three business days for the transfer to finish, then try unlinking again.
What if I accidentally unlinked the wrong bank account?
You can re-link it when ready by going to Wallet and adding a new payment method. You will need to enter the account and routing numbers again, and PayPal will verify the account, which takes one to two business days.
Does PayPal keep my bank account information after I unlink it?
PayPal does not retain your full bank account details after you unlink. However, they may keep records for their own compliance and fraud prevention purposes. If you want more information about what data PayPal stores, check their privacy policy or contact their support team.
Can I unlink a bank account if it is set as my default payment method?
Yes, but PayPal will ask you to choose a new default before the removal is complete. Select a different payment method from your wallet, then finish unlinking the original account.