Disconnect Plaid from your bank account in three steps
To disconnect your bank account from Plaid, you need to remove the connection both in the app or service you're using (like a budgeting app or investment platform) and in your bank's own security settings. Plaid itself doesn't hold your login — it's a bridge between your bank and other apps — so disconnecting means cutting the link at both ends. The process takes about five minutes and requires no call to your bank.
Start by finding the app or service that uses Plaid to access your bank account. Open its settings, look for "Connected Accounts" or "Linked Banks," find your bank in the list, and select the option to disconnect or remove. Then log into your bank's website or mobile app, go to its security or connected apps section, and revoke Plaid's access there as well. Doing both steps ensures Plaid can't pull data anymore and removes your credentials from Plaid's servers.
Key Takeaways
- You must disconnect Plaid in two places: the app that uses it and your bank's own security settings.
- The app-side disconnection stops Plaid from pulling new data; the bank-side revocation removes your stored login information.
- Most banks list connected apps under "Security," "Connected Services," or "Authorized Apps" in their online banking menu.
- Disconnecting does not affect your bank account itself — only the third-party app's access to it.
Remove Plaid from the app or service using it
Open the app or website that you connected to your bank through Plaid. This might be a budgeting tool like Mint or YNAB, an investment app, a tax software, or a loan marketplace. Look for a settings menu, usually marked with a gear icon or labeled "Settings," "Account," or "Preferences."
Inside settings, find the section for linked accounts or connected banks. The exact name varies — some apps call it "Linked Accounts," others say "Connected Banks" or "Financial Institutions." Once you find it, you should see your bank listed. Tap or click on it, and you'll see an option to disconnect, remove, or unlink. Select that option. The app will ask you to confirm; confirm the disconnection.
After you disconnect, the app will no longer be able to see your bank transactions or account balance. If you later want to reconnect, you'll have to go through the Plaid login process again. But for now, Plaid's access through that particular app is gone.
Revoke Plaid access in your bank's security settings
Log into your bank's website or mobile app using your regular username and password. Navigate to the security section. Different banks name this differently — look for "Security," "Privacy," "Connected Apps," "Authorized Applications," "Third-Party Access," or "App Permissions." Some banks bury it under "Settings" or "Account Management."
Once you're in the right section, you should see a list of apps or services that have permission to access your account. Plaid may appear by name, or it may be listed under the name of the app you were using (for example, "Mint via Plaid" or "YNAB via Plaid"). Select Plaid or the app-Plaid combination, and choose the option to revoke, remove, or deny access.
Your bank will ask you to confirm. After you do, Plaid will no longer have your login credentials stored, and it cannot access your account even if you tried to reconnect through an app. This is the step that actually removes your password from Plaid's system.
Where to find the security section at major banks
| Bank | Where to find connected apps |
|---|---|
| Chase | Settings > Security > Connected Apps & Websites |
| Bank of America | Settings > Security & Access > Connected Apps |
| Wells Fargo | Settings > Security > Authorized Apps |
| Citibank | Settings > Security > Third-Party Access |
| Capital One | Settings > Security > Connected Apps |
| Ally Bank | Settings > Security > Connected Applications |
| Fidelity | Account Settings > Security > Authorized Apps |
If your bank is not listed here, log into your online banking and look for a settings or security menu. Most banks follow a similar structure. If you cannot find the section, call your bank's customer service line — they can walk you through it or revoke Plaid access on your behalf.
What happens after you disconnect
Once you've disconnected Plaid in both places, the app or service will stop updating your account information. If you were using Plaid to track spending, sync transactions, or check your balance, that feature will stop working. You'll need to check your bank account directly through your bank's app or website instead.
Your bank account itself is not affected. Your money is still there, your account is still active, and you can still use your debit card and online banking normally. Disconnecting Plaid only removes one app's ability to see your account — it doesn't close anything or change your banking relationship.
If you want to reconnect Plaid to a different app later, or reconnect to the same app, you can do so at any time. You'll go through the Plaid login process again, and your bank will ask you to authorize the connection again. There's no waiting period or penalty for disconnecting and reconnecting.
If you can't find Plaid in your bank's security settings
Some banks don't show third-party apps in their security menu, or they list them under a different name. If you've looked through your bank's settings and don't see Plaid or the app you were using, try these steps.
First, check whether you're looking in the right account. If you have multiple accounts at the same bank (checking, savings, credit card), Plaid access might be tied to only one of them. Second, log out of your bank's app completely and log back in — sometimes the security menu doesn't load properly on the first try. Third, try the bank's website instead of the mobile app, or vice versa — the two sometimes show different menus.
If you still can't find it, call your bank's customer service number on the back of your debit card or on your bank statement. Tell them you want to revoke access for Plaid or for the specific app you were using. They can do it for you immediately and confirm that it's been removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will disconnecting Plaid affect my credit score?
No. Plaid only reads your account information — it doesn't report to credit bureaus or change anything about your credit. Disconnecting it has no effect on your credit score or credit history.
Can I disconnect Plaid from one app but keep it connected to another?
Yes. If you're using Plaid with multiple apps, you can disconnect it from one app while keeping it active with another. Disconnect from the first app's settings, but don't revoke access in your bank's security menu. The connection to your other app will continue working.
What if I disconnect Plaid but the app still shows my account?
This usually means you disconnected from the app but didn't revoke access in your bank's security settings. Go back to your bank's connected apps menu and remove Plaid there. It may take a few minutes for the app to stop showing your data after you revoke bank-side access.
Do I need to change my bank password after disconnecting Plaid?
You don't have to, but you can if you want extra security. Plaid stores an encrypted version of your login, and revoking access deletes it. Changing your password is optional and won't improve security after you've revoked access — but some people do it for peace of mind.
Can I disconnect Plaid if I've forgotten which app I used it with?
Yes. Go directly to your bank's security settings and revoke Plaid access there. You don't need to know which app used it — revoking at the bank level cuts off all Plaid connections to that account. Then check your phone and computer for any apps you think might have used Plaid and disconnect from their settings too.