You can unlink a bank account from PayPal in three steps through your account settings
Log into PayPal on a web browser (not the app), go to Wallet, find the bank account you want to remove, and select Remove. PayPal will ask you to confirm. The account disappears from your wallet when ready, though any pending transfers may still process. You cannot undo this action through the interface — if you need the account back, you will have to add it again and go through verification.
The process is the same whether you linked the account for sending money, receiving deposits, or as a backup payment method. PayPal does not charge a fee to unlink. If you are removing the account because you are closing the bank account itself, do this before the bank closes it — PayPal may flag the account as invalid and lock your wallet temporarily while it investigates.
Key Takeaways
- Unlinking happens in your Wallet settings on the PayPal website, not in the mobile app.
- The account is removed when ready, but any transfers already in progress will still complete.
- You cannot reverse an unlink through PayPal — you have to add the account again if you change your mind.
- If you are closing the bank account, unlink it from PayPal before the bank closes it to avoid a temporary wallet freeze.
- Unlinking a bank account does not close your PayPal account or affect your transaction history.
Step-by-step: removing a linked bank account
Open PayPal in a web browser and sign in. The mobile app does not have the full Wallet menu, so you need the desktop version or a mobile browser.
Click your name or profile icon in the top right corner, then select Account Settings. On the left menu, click Wallet. You will see a list of all linked payment methods — bank accounts, debit cards, and credit cards.
Find the bank account you want to remove. Click the three dots or menu icon next to it, then select Remove. PayPal will show a confirmation message asking if you are sure. Click Remove again. The account is now gone from your wallet.
What happens to pending transfers when you unlink
If you have a transfer in progress — money moving from PayPal to that bank account, or from the account to PayPal — it will still complete even after you unlink. PayPal has already sent the instruction to your bank. Unlinking only stops new transfers from being initiated.
If you unlink an account and then realize you need it again, you will have to add it back. PayPal will ask you to verify it again, which usually means confirming two small deposits (typically under $1 each) that the bank sends to your account. This takes two to three business days.
Why you might need to unlink a bank account
The most common reason is that you are closing the bank account or switching banks. Leaving an old account linked can cause problems — if PayPal tries to send money to a closed account, the transfer bounces and your wallet may be temporarily locked while PayPal investigates the failed transaction.
You might also unlink because you no longer use that account, or because you want to remove a joint account after a relationship ends. Some people unlink as a security step if they think their PayPal account has been compromised, though the better move is to change your PayPal password and check for unauthorized transactions first.
Unlinking versus removing a payment method
Unlinking a bank account and removing a payment method mean the same thing in PayPal. The terminology varies depending on which page you are on, but the result is identical — the account is no longer connected to your PayPal wallet and cannot be used for transfers.
This is different from closing your PayPal account entirely. Unlinking just removes one bank account. Your PayPal account stays open, your transaction history remains, and you can still use other payment methods or add new ones.
If you cannot find the unlink option
Make sure you are on the PayPal website, not the app. The app does not show the full Wallet menu. If you are on the website and the Remove button is not visible, try refreshing the page or clearing your browser cache.
If the account is still not showing up, it may already be unlinked. Check your email for any recent PayPal notifications about account changes. If you see the account but the Remove option is grayed out, contact PayPal support — this usually means there is a pending transaction or dispute involving that account.
What happens after you unlink
Once the account is removed, you cannot use it to send or receive money through PayPal. If someone tries to send you money and PayPal defaults to that account, the transfer will fail and they will be notified to choose a different method.
Your PayPal transaction history does not change. Any past transfers to or from that account will still show in your activity log with the account details as they were at the time of the transaction. Unlinking only affects future transactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I unlink a bank account if I have a pending transfer?
Yes, but the pending transfer will still go through. PayPal has already sent the instruction to your bank. Unlinking only stops new transfers from being started. If you want to cancel a transfer that has not yet left your PayPal account, do that before unlinking.
Will unlinking a bank account close my PayPal account?
No. Unlinking removes one payment method from your wallet. Your PayPal account stays open, your balance remains, and your transaction history is unchanged. You can still use other linked cards or bank accounts.
What if I unlink the wrong account by mistake?
You will need to add it back. Go to Wallet, click Link a bank account, enter the account details, and verify it. Verification takes two to three business days. You cannot undo an unlink when ready.
Do I need to unlink before closing my bank account?
Yes. If your bank closes the account while it is still linked to PayPal, the next time PayPal tries to use it, the transfer will fail and your wallet may be locked temporarily. Unlinking first prevents this problem.
Can I unlink a bank account from the PayPal app?
No. The mobile app does not have the full Wallet menu. You need to use a web browser on your phone or computer. Open PayPal.com, sign in, and follow the steps in the Wallet section.