Disconnect your bank account from Plaid in three steps
To disconnect your bank account from Plaid, you need to revoke Plaid's access in two places: first in your bank's settings, then in the app or service that uses Plaid. Plaid itself does not hold your account information—it is a bridge between your bank and other apps. Removing the connection means telling your bank to stop letting Plaid pass your data through, and telling the app to stop requesting it.
The exact steps depend on which bank you use and which app connected through Plaid. Most banks let you manage third-party access through their online portal or mobile app, usually under "Connected Apps," "Authorized Services," or "Security Settings." Once you disconnect there, the app loses access immediately.
Key Takeaways
- Plaid is a middleman that connects your bank to other apps—disconnecting means revoking access at your bank first, then in the app itself.
- Most banks show connected apps in their security or settings menu, where you can revoke Plaid's permission with one click or tap.
- Disconnecting at your bank stops the data flow right away; the app may still show Plaid as connected until you also remove it there.
- If you cannot find the connected apps menu at your bank, contact their customer service and ask for help revoking third-party access.
Disconnect Plaid at your bank first
Start by logging into your bank's website or app and finding the section that shows which apps or services have permission to access your account. The name varies by bank—look for "Connected Apps," "Authorized Applications," "Third-Party Access," "Security Settings," or "App Permissions." Some banks bury this under "Account Settings" or "Privacy."
Once you find the list, look for Plaid or the name of the app you connected (for example, Mint, YNAB, or Venmo). Select it and choose "Revoke," "Disconnect," "Remove," or "Deny Access." Your bank will ask you to confirm. After you confirm, Plaid can no longer see your account or pull data from it.
If your bank's app or website does not show a connected apps menu, call their customer service line. Tell them you want to revoke third-party access for Plaid or the specific app you used. They can do it for you over the phone or walk you through the steps in their system.
Remove the connection in the app that uses Plaid
After you disconnect at your bank, go to the app or website that originally connected through Plaid—this might be a budgeting app, investment app, or payment service. Log in and look for settings related to connected accounts or linked banks. The menu is often called "Accounts," "Linked Accounts," "Bank Connections," or "Settings."
Find your bank account in the list and select "Remove," "Unlink," or "Disconnect." The app will confirm the removal. Some apps ask why you are disconnecting; you can skip that or leave a note. After you confirm, the app can no longer pull data from your bank account through Plaid.
Disconnecting at your bank is the step that actually stops data flow. Removing it from the app is a cleanup step that prevents confusion later—if you do only one, do the bank step first.
What happens after you disconnect
Once you revoke access at your bank, Plaid stops receiving new data from your account immediately. The app may still show your account as connected for a few hours or even a day while it processes the change, but it cannot pull fresh information. Any data the app already downloaded before you disconnected stays in the app unless you delete it manually.
If you reconnect the same app to your bank later, you will have to go through the login process again. Your bank will ask you to authorize Plaid a second time. The app will not remember your old data—it starts fresh.
If you cannot find the connected apps menu
Not all banks display third-party access in an obvious place. If you have searched your bank's settings and cannot find it, contact their customer service. Have your account number ready and tell them you want to revoke access for Plaid or the specific app you used. Most banks can do this in a few minutes.
If your bank uses a smaller or regional platform, the menu might be labeled differently or hidden deeper in settings. A customer service representative can tell you exactly where to look or handle the revocation for you. Do not assume the option does not exist—it usually does, just in an unexpected location.
Reconnecting later if you change your mind
If you disconnect Plaid and later decide you want to use the app again, you can reconnect it. Go back to the app, select "Link Bank Account" or "Add Account," and choose your bank. You will log in with your bank credentials again, and your bank will ask you to authorize Plaid a second time. The process is the same as the first time you connected.
Your old data in the app does not come back automatically. If you need historical information, you may have to download it from your bank separately or re-sync the app after reconnecting.
Why you might want to disconnect
Common reasons to disconnect Plaid include switching to a different budgeting or banking app, no longer using the service you connected it for, or wanting to reduce the number of apps that can access your bank account. Some people disconnect because they are concerned about data privacy or want to limit how many third parties have permission to see their transactions.
Disconnecting does not affect your bank account itself—your money stays where it is, and your account continues to work normally. You can still use your debit card, write checks, and make transfers. You just lose the ability for that particular app to see your balance and transaction history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does disconnecting Plaid delete my data from the app?
No. Disconnecting stops the app from pulling new data from your bank, but any information it already downloaded stays in the app. If you want to erase that data, you need to delete your account in the app or contact the app's support team and ask them to delete your data.
Will disconnecting affect my bank account or my money?
No. Disconnecting Plaid only stops the app from accessing your account information. Your bank account, your money, and your ability to use your debit card or make transfers are not affected at all.
What if I disconnect at my bank but forget to disconnect in the app?
The app will stop receiving data from your bank, but it may still show your account as connected. The next time you open the app, it will likely show an error message saying the connection failed. You can then remove the account from the app's settings to clean up the display.
Can I disconnect Plaid from just one app while keeping it connected to another?
Yes. Each app that uses Plaid has its own connection to your bank. You can disconnect one app while keeping Plaid connected to others. Just remove the account from the specific app you want to stop using, and the others will continue to work.
How long does it take for the disconnection to take effect?
Disconnecting at your bank takes effect immediately—Plaid stops receiving data right away. The app may take a few hours to recognize the disconnection and show an error, but the data flow stops as soon as you revoke access at your bank.