The steps to remove Plaid access
You can disconnect Plaid from your bank account in two places: through the app or website that uses Plaid, or directly through your bank's settings. The fastest route is usually the app itself — most apps that connect through Plaid have a settings menu where you can revoke access in one or two clicks. If you disconnect there, Plaid loses permission to see your account and pull data, but the connection may reappear if you log back into that app later.
To fully sever the connection so it does not reactivate, you also need to remove Plaid's access from your bank's side. This step varies by bank, but most let you manage connected apps in their online banking portal or mobile app under a section called "Connected Apps," "Third-Party Access," or "Authorized Applications." Once you revoke access there, even if you reinstall the app that uses Plaid, it will have to ask your permission to reconnect.
The entire process takes about five minutes and requires no phone call or paperwork. You keep your bank account open and active — you are only removing one app's permission to view it.
Key Takeaways
- Disconnect Plaid first through the app or website that uses it, usually found in account settings or security settings.
- Then remove Plaid's access from your bank's online portal under "Connected Apps" or "Third-Party Access" to prevent it from reactivating.
- Different banks use different names for this menu, so search your bank's help center for "connected applications" or "authorized third parties" if you cannot find it.
- Disconnecting Plaid does not close your bank account or affect your direct deposits, automatic payments, or other banking services.
Disconnect through the app or website first
Open the app or website that connected to your bank through Plaid — this might be a budgeting app, investment platform, loan service, or payroll tool. Look for a settings menu, usually marked with a gear icon or found under "Account," "Profile," or "Security." Inside settings, search for a section called "Connected Accounts," "Bank Connections," "Linked Banks," or "Plaid."
Once you find it, you should see your bank listed with an option to "Disconnect," "Remove," "Unlink," or "Revoke Access." Click that button. The app will ask you to confirm — select yes. At this point, the app can no longer see your bank account or pull any data from it. However, the connection still exists on your bank's end, so the app could theoretically ask you to reconnect the next time you log in.
If you cannot find this menu in the app, check the website version of the same service. Some apps hide connection settings on the web portal rather than in the mobile app. You can also search the app's help center for "disconnect bank" or "unlink account" — most services have a support article walking through the exact steps for their platform.
Remove Plaid access from your bank's portal
Log into your bank's website or mobile app using your normal username and password. Navigate to your account settings — this is usually found by clicking your name or profile icon in the top right corner, or by selecting "Settings" from a menu. Look for a section with a name like "Connected Apps," "Third-Party Access," "Authorized Applications," "App Permissions," or "Security."
Inside that section, you should see a list of apps and services that have permission to access your account. Plaid itself may be listed, or you may see the name of the specific app you were using (for example, "Mint," "YNAB," or "Chime"). Click on Plaid or the app name and select "Remove," "Revoke," or "Disconnect." Confirm the action. Your bank will immediately stop allowing that service to access your account.
If you cannot locate this menu, call your bank's customer service line or use their chat feature and ask: "How do I remove third-party app access to my account?" or "Where do I manage connected applications?" Every major bank offers this feature, though the exact location and name vary. A representative can walk you through it in under a minute.
What happens after you disconnect
Once you have removed Plaid access from both the app and your bank, the connection is fully severed. The app will no longer be able to see your account balance, transaction history, or any other banking information. If the app relied on real-time data from your bank — like a budgeting app that tracks spending — it will stop updating and may show a message that your account is disconnected.
Your bank account itself remains completely unaffected. Your direct deposits will still arrive, automatic bill payments will still process, and your debit card will still work. Disconnecting Plaid does not close your account, freeze your funds, or trigger any security lockdown. It only removes one app's permission to view your data.
If you want to use that app again in the future, you can reconnect it by logging back in and following the original linking process. Your bank will ask you to authorize Plaid again, and you will go through the same permission screen you saw the first time.
Disconnect without using the app
If you have already deleted the app or forgotten which service you used to connect Plaid, you can still remove access directly from your bank. Log into your bank's portal, find the "Connected Apps" or "Third-Party Access" section, and look for any unfamiliar services listed there. If you see Plaid or an app you no longer use, revoke its access.
You can also contact your bank and ask them to remove all third-party access to your account. Provide them with the name of any apps you remember using, and they can remove those connections for you. This is especially useful if you are concerned about an unauthorized connection or cannot remember which apps you linked.
Troubleshooting if disconnect does not work
If you revoked access but the app still appears to have your account information, clear your browser cache and cookies, then log back into your bank's portal to confirm the connection is actually gone. Sometimes the app is showing cached data from before you disconnected, not live data from your bank.
If the app keeps asking you to reconnect every time you log in, that is normal — it means the connection was successfully removed and the app is trying to re-establish it. Simply do not authorize it again. If you see an error message saying "Plaid connection failed" or "Unable to connect," that usually means the disconnection worked and the app is just reporting that it cannot reach your bank anymore.
If you believe Plaid or an app has unauthorized access to your account, contact your bank immediately. Provide them with the app name and the date you first noticed the connection. Your bank can investigate and remove access on their end, and they may also flag the account for fraud monitoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will disconnecting Plaid affect my credit score?
No. Plaid only reads your account information — it does not report to credit bureaus, make payments, or take any action on your account. Disconnecting it has no impact on your credit score or credit history.
Can I disconnect Plaid from one app but keep it connected to another?
Yes. Each app that uses Plaid has its own separate connection. You can disconnect one app while keeping Plaid active for another. Simply go into each app's settings and disconnect them individually. You can also revoke access to specific apps from your bank's "Connected Apps" menu without removing all third-party access.
What if my bank does not have a "Connected Apps" section?
Smaller banks or credit unions may not have a visible third-party access menu in their online portal. Call their customer service line and ask them to remove Plaid or the specific app's access to your account. They can do this manually in their system, and it takes just a few minutes.
Do I need to change my bank password after disconnecting Plaid?
No. Plaid uses a secure connection method that does not require your password — you authorize it through your bank's own login screen. Disconnecting Plaid does not put your password at risk, so you do not need to change it. However, if you are concerned about security or suspect unauthorized access, changing your password is always a safe step.
Will I lose my data if I disconnect Plaid?
The app that used Plaid may lose access to live updates from your bank, but your bank account data itself is not deleted. Any historical data the app stored before you disconnected will remain in that app. Your bank's records are completely unaffected.