Disconnect your bank account in Plaid's settings, then check the apps you connected it through
Removing your bank account from Plaid happens in two places: first in Plaid itself, then in each app where you authorized the connection. Plaid is the middleman between your bank and apps like budgeting software, investment platforms, or loan services — it doesn't hold your account information, it just passes data back and forth. When you disconnect in Plaid, the connection stops, but some apps may still have cached data or separate permissions you granted them.
Checking both sides makes sure the link is fully severed. If you only disconnect from one app but leave Plaid active, that app could theoretically reconnect later. If you only remove from Plaid but don't check the apps, those apps still have permission to access your bank data if Plaid is ever reactivated. Doing both steps takes about ten minutes total and closes the door completely.
Key Takeaways
- Log into your Plaid account directly at plaid.com or through the app that connected you, find your bank account under "Accounts" or "Connected Accounts," and remove it.
- After removing from Plaid, go into each app you connected the account to and revoke Plaid's permission in that app's settings or account linking section.
- Removing the connection stops new data from flowing, but does not delete historical data the app already downloaded before you disconnected.
- If you cannot find Plaid settings in an app, look for "Connected Accounts," "Linked Accounts," or "Account Permissions" in that app's settings menu.
- Some apps let you disconnect through their own interface without logging into Plaid separately, but checking Plaid directly ensures the removal is complete.
Remove the account from Plaid directly
Go to plaid.com and log in with the email and password you used when you first connected your bank. If you don't remember your Plaid password, use the "Forgot password" link on the login page. Once logged in, look for a section called "Accounts," "Connected Accounts," or "My Accounts" — the exact label varies depending on whether you're using Plaid's website or mobile app.
Find the bank account you want to remove from the list. Next to it, you should see a menu icon (three dots or a gear) or a "Remove" button. Click it and confirm that you want to disconnect. Plaid will ask you to verify this is what you want — this is the moment the connection actually breaks. After you confirm, that account no longer syncs data to Plaid.
If you cannot log into Plaid directly because you don't have a standalone Plaid account, that's normal — many people only access Plaid through the apps they connected it to. In that case, skip to the next section and disconnect from each app instead. You can still remove the connection completely without ever logging into Plaid's own website.
Disconnect from each app you authorized
Open the app where you linked your bank account — this might be a budgeting app like Mint or YNAB, an investment app, a loan service, or tax software. Go to that app's settings or account menu and look for a section labeled "Connected Accounts," "Linked Accounts," "Account Permissions," or "Third-Party Access." The exact name depends on the app, but it's usually in the main settings menu or under a profile icon.
Find Plaid in the list of connected services. You should see an option to "Disconnect," "Remove," "Revoke," or "Unlink." Click it. Some apps will ask you to confirm; others will disconnect immediately. After this step, that app can no longer pull data from your bank account through Plaid.
Repeat this process for every app you connected your bank to. If you connected the same bank account to five different apps, you need to disconnect it from all five. Removing it from Plaid alone does not automatically remove it from each app — you have to do both. Keep a list as you go so you don't forget which apps still need to be disconnected.
What happens to your data after you disconnect
Once you remove the connection, no new data flows from your bank to Plaid or to the apps. However, data the app already downloaded before you disconnected usually stays in that app. For example, if you disconnect a budgeting app, your historical transactions that the app already stored will still be there — the app just won't see new transactions going forward.
If you want the app to delete your historical data as well, check that app's privacy or data settings. Some apps have a "Delete my data" or "Clear account history" option separate from the disconnection itself. Others require you to contact their support team to request deletion. This is especially important if you're concerned about data privacy — disconnecting stops future data collection, but deletion removes what's already been stored.
If you cannot find the disconnect option
Some apps bury the account linking settings or label them differently than you'd expect. Try searching within the app for "Plaid," "bank," "connected," or "linked." If the app has a help or support section, search there for "disconnect bank" or "remove account." You can also try scrolling through the entire settings menu — sometimes the option is there but not prominently labeled.
If you still cannot find it, contact the app's support team directly. Tell them you want to disconnect your bank account that was linked through Plaid. They can either walk you through their specific interface or disconnect it on your behalf. This is especially common with older apps or financial services that don't have a self-service disconnect button. Most support teams respond within one business day.
Reconnecting later if you change your mind
If you disconnect and later decide you want to link your bank account again, you can. The process is the same as the first time: go into the app, find the account linking section, and authorize Plaid to connect to your bank. You'll log into your bank's website to verify, and the connection will be live again.
There's no penalty or waiting period for reconnecting. Your bank account history with that app may or may not be restored depending on how the app stores data — some apps keep historical records even after disconnection, while others start fresh. If historical data matters to you, ask the app's support team before you disconnect whether your transaction history will be preserved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does removing my account from Plaid affect my actual bank account?
No. Plaid only reads data from your bank — it cannot move money, change passwords, or modify your account. Disconnecting Plaid simply stops the data flow. Your bank account itself is completely unaffected.
Will the app still work after I disconnect Plaid?
The app will still work, but it won't see new data from your bank. For example, a budgeting app will keep your old transactions but won't download new ones. You can still use the app's other features normally.
What if I only disconnect from the app but not from Plaid itself?
Disconnecting from the app is usually enough to stop the data flow. However, disconnecting from Plaid directly as well ensures the connection is fully removed on both ends and is the safest approach if you want to be thorough.
Can I disconnect one bank account but keep another connected through Plaid?
Yes. If you connected multiple bank accounts through Plaid, you can remove just one and leave the others active. Go into Plaid or the app and remove only the account you want to disconnect.
How do I know if my bank account is still connected to Plaid?
Log into your Plaid account and check the "Accounts" section — if your bank is listed there, it's still connected. You can also check each app's account linking settings to see if Plaid is still authorized there.