You can delete your Acorns account through the app or website, but you need to withdraw your money first

Acorns does not let you delete an account that still holds cash or invested funds. Before you can close the account, you must withdraw everything to a linked bank account. Once your balance is zero, the deletion process takes a few minutes in the app settings. After you request deletion, Acorns typically closes the account within 30 days, though the exact timeline depends on whether there are any pending transactions or tax documents they need to send you.

The steps are straightforward, but the order matters. If you try to delete before withdrawing, the system will stop you and ask you to empty the account first. This guide walks you through both parts in the right sequence.

Key Takeaways

  • You must withdraw all money from your Acorns account to a bank account before deletion is possible.
  • Withdrawal to a linked bank account usually takes three to five business days, so plan accordingly if you need the account closed by a specific date.
  • The deletion request itself happens in the app or website settings under Account or Profile, and takes just a few clicks.
  • After you request deletion, Acorns has up to 30 days to fully close the account and stop charging any fees.
  • If you have pending tax documents (like a 1099 for investment gains), Acorns may delay closure until those are issued or sent to you.

Step 1: Withdraw all your money to a bank account

Open the Acorns app or go to acorns.com and log in. Look for the menu icon (usually three horizontal lines) or tap your profile picture. Navigate to the section labeled "Accounts" or "Wallet" — the exact name varies slightly between the app and website, but it is the section showing your current balance.

Tap or click on the account you want to close. You will see your total balance and an option to withdraw. Select "Withdraw" or "Transfer Out." Acorns will ask you to confirm the amount (it should be your full balance) and the bank account where the money should go. The bank account must already be linked to your Acorns account. If it is not linked yet, you will need to add it first by providing your routing number and account number.

Confirm the withdrawal. Acorns will show you a confirmation screen with the expected arrival date, usually three to five business days. The money goes to your bank account, not to a card or external wallet. Once the withdrawal is submitted, you cannot cancel it, so double-check the amount and destination before confirming.

Step 2: Wait for the withdrawal to clear

After you request the withdrawal, Acorns processes it on the next business day. The money then travels through the banking system to your linked account, which typically takes two to four additional business days. During this time, your Acorns balance will show as zero or pending, depending on whether the transfer has left Acorns' system yet.

Do not request account deletion until the withdrawal has fully arrived in your bank account. If you delete the account while a transfer is in progress, the transaction may fail or be delayed, and you could lose track of the money. Check your bank account to confirm the deposit arrived before moving to the next step.

Step 3: Request account deletion in the app or website

Once your balance is zero and the withdrawal has cleared, open the Acorns app or website again. Go to your profile or account settings — this is usually found by tapping the menu icon or your profile picture. Look for a section called "Settings," "Account Settings," or "Preferences."

Scroll down to find an option labeled "Close Account," "Delete Account," or "Deactivate Account." Tap or click it. Acorns will ask you to confirm that you want to close the account and may ask why you are leaving (this is optional feedback). Read any warnings or final notices, then confirm the deletion request.

The app or website will show a confirmation message saying your account closure request has been submitted. Take a screenshot of this confirmation for your records, though you should also receive an email confirmation within a few minutes.

What happens after you request deletion

Acorns has up to 30 days to fully close your account after you submit the deletion request. During this period, the account is no longer active — you cannot log in, make new investments, or use any Acorns features. However, Acorns may still send you important documents, such as tax forms (1099-INT for interest earned, or 1099-B for investment gains and losses).

If you earned money through interest or investment gains during the time you held the account, Acorns is required by law to issue a tax form. These forms are typically sent in January for the previous calendar year, but if you close your account before then, Acorns will mail the form to the address on file. This is why closure can take the full 30 days — Acorns needs time to finalize your tax records.

You will not be charged any fees after deletion is requested, even if the account remains technically open for a few days while Acorns processes the closure. If you see a charge after requesting deletion, contact Acorns support when ready.

If you want to keep your investments but stop using Acorns

Deleting your account means selling all your investments and withdrawing the cash. If you want to keep your money invested but straightforward stop using Acorns, you have another option: transfer your investments to a different brokerage account instead of withdrawing to cash.

Acorns supports ACAT transfers (Automated Customer Account Transfer), which move your investments to another brokerage without forcing you to sell. To start an ACAT transfer, contact the brokerage where you want to move your money — they will handle most of the paperwork. Acorns charges a $50 transfer fee, which is deducted from your account during the process. The transfer usually takes five to seven business days.

After the transfer completes, your Acorns account will be empty and you can then request deletion if you want. This route is useful if you want to consolidate accounts or move to a brokerage with lower fees, but it costs money and takes longer than a straightforward withdrawal.

Common reasons deletion gets delayed

If your account closure takes longer than expected, one of these issues is usually the cause. Pending tax documents are the most common reason — if you earned interest or investment gains, Acorns must issue a 1099 form, and they cannot fully close the account until that form is generated and sent. This typically happens in January but can occur at other times if you close your account mid-year.

A second reason is a pending or failed withdrawal. If your bank rejected the transfer for any reason (wrong account number, account closed, insufficient routing information), the money stays in your Acorns account and blocks deletion. Check your email for any notifications from Acorns about a failed transfer, and contact support to resubmit the withdrawal to a corrected account.

Finally, if you have an active Acorns Spend debit card or other linked service, closure may be delayed until those are also deactivated. The Spend card must be closed separately before the main investment account can be deleted. Log into your account and look for any active cards or services, and close those first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my Acorns account if I have pending transactions?

Pending transactions must settle before you can withdraw your full balance. If you see a pending deposit or investment, wait for it to complete (usually one to three business days), then withdraw. You cannot delete the account until the balance is zero.

What happens to my tax documents after I delete my account?

Acorns will mail any required tax forms to the address on file, even after deletion. If you earned interest or investment gains, you will receive a 1099 form in January of the following year. Make sure your address is current before you close the account.

Can I reopen my Acorns account after deleting it?

Yes, you can create a new Acorns account at any time using the same email address or a different one. However, you will start fresh with no history or investments. The old account data is retained for tax and legal purposes but is not accessible to you.

Will Acorns charge me a fee to delete my account?

Acorns does not charge a deletion fee. However, if you have an active Acorns Spend debit card or a paid subscription (like Acorns Gold), those fees may continue until you cancel them separately. Cancel any subscriptions before requesting account deletion.

How do I know if my account has been fully deleted?

After 30 days, you should no longer be able to log in with your email and password. If you can still access the account after 30 days, contact Acorns support. You should also stop receiving any emails from Acorns (except tax documents if applicable).