Disconnect your bank account in Plaid's settings, then check the apps you linked it through
Removing a bank account from Plaid happens in two places: first in Plaid itself, then in each app where you connected it. Plaid is the service that sits between your bank and apps like budgeting tools, tax software, or investment platforms — it does not hold your money or process payments, it just passes information back and forth. When you disconnect, Plaid stops sharing your account data with those apps, but you may need to remove the connection from each app's side as well to fully sever the link.
The process takes about five minutes and does not affect your actual bank account. Your money stays where it is, and your bank login credentials remain unchanged.
Key Takeaways
- Log into Plaid's website or the app where you originally linked your bank account and look for account settings or connected accounts.
- Find the bank account you want to remove and select the option to disconnect, unlink, or delete — the exact wording varies by app.
- After disconnecting from Plaid, go into each app you linked it to (your budgeting app, tax software, etc.) and remove the connection there too.
- Disconnecting does not delete your transaction history in those apps, but they will stop receiving new updates from your bank.
- If you cannot find the disconnect option, contact the app's support team — some apps bury the option in privacy or security settings.
Disconnect through Plaid's website or mobile app
Go to Plaid's website at plaid.com and sign in with the email and password you used when you first set up the connection. If you do not remember your password, use the "Forgot password" link on the login page.
Once logged in, look for a section called "Connected Apps," "Accounts," "Linked Accounts," or "Settings" — the exact label depends on which version of Plaid you are using. Click into that section and you will see a list of all the apps you have connected through Plaid, along with the bank accounts linked to each one.
Find the bank account you want to remove. Next to it, you should see a button or menu option that says "Disconnect," "Unlink," "Remove," or sometimes a three-dot menu icon. Click that option and confirm when Plaid asks you to verify the removal. Plaid will then stop sharing that account's data with the apps it was connected to.
Remove the connection from each app separately
Disconnecting from Plaid stops the data flow, but some apps keep the connection active on their end. To fully remove the link, go into each app where you used Plaid to connect your bank account — this might be your budgeting app, tax software, investment platform, or loan application tool.
In each app, find the settings or account section, usually labeled "Accounts," "Connected Accounts," "Linked Banks," "Security," or "Privacy." Look for the bank account you connected through Plaid and select the option to remove, disconnect, or delete it. The wording varies by app, but the action is the same.
Some apps will show you when the connection was last updated and may ask you to confirm the removal. After you confirm, that app will no longer receive updates from your bank account, and you may lose access to features that relied on that data — for example, a budgeting app will stop tracking new transactions from that account.
What happens to your data after you disconnect
Your transaction history in each app usually stays in place after you disconnect. If you used a budgeting app to track spending from that account, the past transactions remain visible, but the app will not pull in any new transactions. This means your spending history is preserved, but the account will appear inactive or outdated.
Your actual bank account is completely unaffected. The money stays in the bank, your login credentials do not change, and you can still use your debit card, checks, or online banking as normal. Disconnecting from Plaid only stops third-party apps from seeing your account information.
If you cannot find the disconnect option
Some apps hide the disconnect option in less obvious places. Check your account settings, privacy settings, security settings, or data permissions — different apps organize these differently. You might also see it under a label like "Third-Party Access," "Connected Services," or "App Permissions."
If you still cannot find it, contact the app's support team directly. Provide them with the name of your bank and the email address you used to set up the connection. They can either walk you through the steps or remove the connection on your end. Response time varies — some support teams answer within hours, others within a few business days.
Reconnecting later if you change your mind
If you disconnect and later decide you want to link that bank account again, you can do so through Plaid or the app itself. The process is the same as the first time: you will enter your bank login credentials (or use your bank's own login screen), and Plaid will ask you to confirm which accounts and data you want to share. You will not lose any historical data from before the disconnection — it will still be there in the apps where you kept it.
Some apps may ask you to re-authorize Plaid's access even if you have used it before, especially if your bank updated its security settings or if Plaid changed its permissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will disconnecting from Plaid delete my transaction history?
No. Your past transactions remain in the apps where you linked your account. The app will simply stop pulling new transactions from your bank after you disconnect. You can still view and search your old data.
Do I have to disconnect from Plaid and from each app, or just one?
Disconnecting from Plaid stops the data flow, but disconnecting from each app ensures the connection is fully removed on both ends. For a complete removal, do both. If you only disconnect from Plaid, some apps may still show the account as connected and may attempt to re-sync if you log back into Plaid.
What if my bank is not showing up in Plaid's list of connected accounts?
Some banks take longer to appear in Plaid's system after you first connect them, or they may appear under a different name than you expect. Check the app where you originally linked the account — it may show the connection even if Plaid's website does not. If you still cannot find it, contact Plaid support or the app's support team.
Can I disconnect just one app without disconnecting the entire bank account?
Yes. In Plaid's settings, you can usually choose which apps have access to which accounts. You can remove access for one app while keeping the connection active for others. Check the permissions or app-by-app settings in Plaid to do this.
Will disconnecting affect my credit score or banking services?
No. Disconnecting from Plaid has no impact on your credit score, bank account status, or any banking services. It only stops third-party apps from viewing your account information.