Disconnect your bank account from Plaid in your app settings, not through your bank
To unlink your bank account from Plaid, you go into the app or service that connected to Plaid in the first place — not into your bank's website or Plaid itself. The steps differ depending on which app you used (Venmo, a budgeting app, a loan service, or something else), but the principle is the same: find the connected accounts section, locate Plaid, and remove it. Your bank account itself stays open and unchanged. Plaid only loses permission to see your account information going forward.
Plaid is a middleman service. When you linked your bank account to an app, you gave that app permission to use Plaid to read your account data. Unlinking means you're taking away that permission. The connection lives in the app's settings, not in Plaid's system or your bank's system, so that's where you disconnect it.
Key Takeaways
- Unlinking happens in the app or service you originally connected to Plaid, not in Plaid itself or your bank's website.
- The exact steps vary by app, but you're looking for a "connected accounts," "linked accounts," or "app permissions" section in settings.
- Unlinking removes the app's permission to access your account data but does not close your bank account or affect your banking relationship.
- After you unlink, the app can no longer see your account balance, transaction history, or other financial information.
- If you can't find the unlink option in an app, contact that app's customer support — they can remove the connection on their end.
Find the connected accounts section in your app
Open the app or service where you originally linked your bank account. Look for a settings menu, usually marked with a gear icon or found under your profile or account name. Inside settings, search for words like "connected accounts," "linked accounts," "app permissions," "integrations," or "financial connections." Different apps use different names, but they all point to the same place: a list of outside services that have access to your account.
If you're using a budgeting app like Mint or YNAB, this section is often under "Accounts" or "Settings." If you're using a payment app like Venmo or Square Cash, it's usually under "Settings" or "Payment Methods." If you're using a loan or credit app, look under "Account" or "Connected Services." Spend a minute scanning the settings menu — the option is usually visible once you know what to look for.
Select Plaid and choose disconnect or remove
Once you find the connected accounts list, look for an entry that says "Plaid" or the name of your bank (sometimes the app shows your bank's name instead of Plaid's). Click or tap on it. You should see options to disconnect, remove, unlink, or revoke access — the wording changes by app, but the action is the same.
Some apps show a confirmation message asking if you're sure you want to disconnect. Confirm that you do. The process is usually instant. After you confirm, Plaid no longer has permission to access that account through that app, and the app can no longer pull your account data.
What happens after you unlink
Once you unlink, the app loses access to your account information immediately. If the app relied on Plaid to show your balance, recent transactions, or account status, those features will stop working. You may see an error message or a prompt to reconnect the next time you open the app.
Your bank account itself is unaffected. Your money is still there, your account is still active, and your bank has no record of the disconnection. Plaid is simply no longer allowed to pass information between your bank and that particular app. If you want to use the app again in the future, you can reconnect by linking your bank account a second time.
If the app doesn't show an unlink option
Some apps hide the unlink option or don't make it obvious. If you've looked through settings and can't find it, contact the app's customer support team. Explain that you want to disconnect your bank account, and they can remove the Plaid connection from their end. You can usually reach support through an in-app help menu, email, or a contact form on the app's website.
Provide the app with your account email or username so they can locate your account quickly. They should be able to disconnect Plaid within a few minutes to a few hours. Once they confirm it's done, Plaid will no longer have access through that app.
Unlinking is different from revoking access through your bank
Some banks let you revoke app permissions directly from your bank's website or app. If you log into your bank and see a section called "connected apps," "third-party access," or "app permissions," you may see Plaid or the app listed there. Revoking access from your bank's side also disconnects Plaid, and it's another way to achieve the same result.
However, the easiest route is still to unlink through the app itself. Doing it from the app's settings ensures the app knows the connection is gone and won't try to reconnect automatically. If you unlink from your bank's side but the app still tries to use Plaid, you may see repeated connection errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does unlinking Plaid close my bank account?
No. Unlinking only removes the app's permission to access your account through Plaid. Your bank account remains open and active. Your money is unaffected, and your banking relationship with your bank is unchanged.
Can I reconnect my bank account to the same app later?
Yes. If you unlink and then want to use the app again, you can go through the linking process a second time. You'll enter your bank login credentials again, and the app will regain access to your account data.
Will the app still work after I unlink?
The app will still work, but any features that depend on reading your bank account data will stop working. You may see error messages or be prompted to reconnect. Other features of the app, like sending money or paying bills, may still function depending on how the app is built.
How long does it take for Plaid to stop having access?
The disconnection is usually instant. Once you confirm the unlink in the app's settings, Plaid loses permission immediately. If you're concerned, wait a few minutes and then check the app's connected accounts list again — Plaid should no longer appear.
What if I unlink by mistake?
You can reconnect anytime by going back to the app's settings and linking your bank account again. The process is the same as the first time you connected. There's no penalty or waiting period for relinking.