Mobile check deposit works through the Bank of America mobile app on your phone

Bank of America's mobile check deposit feature lets you photograph the front and back of a check using your phone and submit it through the Bank of America mobile app. The check is processed without you visiting a branch or ATM. You need the app installed, a camera on your phone, and an active Bank of America checking or savings account.

The deposit appears in your account as pending within minutes of submission, though the funds typically become available within one to two business days. Some checks clear faster depending on the amount and the bank that issued the check.

You can deposit checks 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the app. There is no limit on the number of checks you deposit per day, but Bank of America does set a maximum amount per check and per day—these limits vary by account type and your account history.

Key Takeaways

  • Download the Bank of America mobile app, sign in, and navigate to Deposit Checks under the Transfers tab to start a mobile deposit.
  • Photograph both the front and back of the check in good lighting, making sure all four corners and all text are visible and in focus.
  • The app will tell you immediately if the image quality is too poor or if the check information cannot be read, and you can retake the photo.
  • Once submitted, the deposit shows as pending in your account within minutes, and funds usually clear within one to two business days.
  • After deposit, you must either destroy the check or write "VOID" across it in large letters—do not deposit the same check again through another method.

Step-by-step process for submitting a check through the app

Open the Bank of America mobile app and sign in with your username and password. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner, then select Transfers. Look for the option labeled Deposit Checks and tap it.

Select the account where you want the check deposited. The app will ask you to photograph the front of the check first. Hold the check flat under good lighting—natural light works best—and position your phone so the entire front of the check is visible in the frame, including all four corners. Take the photo. The app will show you a preview and ask whether the image is clear and readable. If text is blurry or corners are cut off, tap Retake and try again.

After the front is accepted, photograph the back of the check the same way. The back must show the endorsement area (where you sign). Once both images are submitted, the app displays the check amount and the routing and account numbers it detected. Review these details for accuracy. If anything looks wrong, you can cancel and start over.

Tap Confirm to submit the deposit. The app will show a confirmation number and the date the deposit was submitted. A receipt is generated immediately and can be saved or emailed to yourself.

What happens after you submit the deposit

Within minutes of submission, the deposit appears in your account as pending. Your available balance does not change yet—the funds are held until the check clears. You can see the pending deposit in your transaction history and in your account balance view.

The check clears and funds become available within one to two business days in most cases. Checks drawn on other Bank of America accounts sometimes clear the same day. Checks from smaller banks or credit unions may take longer. If you deposit a check after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, it is treated as submitted the next business day.

Bank of America sends you a notification when the deposit clears and the funds are available. You can check the status of any pending deposit by opening the app, going to Transfers, and selecting Deposit Checks—your recent deposits are listed there with their current status.

Image quality requirements and common rejection reasons

The app requires clear, in-focus images of both sides of the check. The entire check must fit in the frame, including all four corners. Text must be readable—if the app cannot read the routing number, account number, or check amount, it will reject the image and ask you to retake it.

Lighting matters. Shadows, glare, or photos taken in dim light often fail. Angle your phone so light hits the check evenly and does not reflect off the surface. If you are having trouble, move to a brighter location or try natural daylight near a window.

Do not fold, crease, or bend the check before photographing it. Damaged checks can be rejected. If the check is torn or has significant wear, the app may not be able to read it. In that case, you will need to deposit it in person at a branch or ATM.

The app will also reject checks that are post-dated (dated in the future), checks that appear to be duplicates of a recent deposit, or checks with amounts that exceed your daily or per-check limit. If a check is rejected, the app tells you why and gives you the option to try again or contact Bank of America.

Daily and per-check deposit limits

Bank of America sets limits on how much you can deposit through mobile check deposit in a single day and on the amount of any individual check. These limits vary based on your account type, your account history, and how long you have been a customer.

New accounts typically have lower limits than established accounts. As your account history builds, your limits may increase. You can view your current limits by opening the Bank of America app, going to Transfers, and selecting Deposit Checks—your available limit for today is displayed before you take any photos.

If you reach your limit, you can still deposit checks in person at a branch, at an ATM, or by mail. Contacting Bank of America directly can sometimes result in a temporary limit increase if you have a legitimate need.

What to do with the check after you deposit it

Once the deposit is submitted and confirmed, you must not deposit the same check again through any other method—not at an ATM, not at a branch, and not through another bank's mobile deposit. Depositing the same check twice is check fraud and can result in overdraft fees, account closure, or legal action.

After submission, write "VOID" in large letters across the front of the check using a pen. This makes it impossible to deposit the check again by accident. Alternatively, you can shred or destroy the check entirely. Do not keep the original check in your wallet or files where it might be deposited later by mistake.

Troubleshooting common problems

If the app says your image is too blurry or unreadable, make sure you are in good lighting and hold your phone steady while taking the photo. Tap Retake and try again. If the problem persists, move to a brighter location or try a different angle.

If the app rejects the check because it cannot read the amount or routing number, the check itself may be damaged or the print may be faint. Try photographing it again in different lighting. If it still fails, deposit the check in person at a branch or ATM.

If your deposit shows as pending but does not clear after three business days, contact Bank of America through the app or by phone. Delays can happen if the check is from a small bank, if there is a discrepancy in the check information, or if the issuing bank is experiencing problems.

If you receive an error message saying you have reached your daily limit, you have hit the maximum amount Bank of America allows you to deposit in a 24-hour period. Wait until the next day to deposit more checks, or deposit the check in person at a branch or ATM.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit a check that is made out to someone else?

No. The check must be made out to you or to you and another person whose name is on the account. If the check is made out to someone else, that person must endorse it to you, and you must deposit it into an account in their name or in both your names. Bank of America will reject checks that do not match the account holder's name.

What if I accidentally submit the same check twice?

Contact Bank of America immediately through the app or by phone. The bank can see both deposits in the system and can reverse one of them before the funds clear. If both deposits clear, you will have an overdraft or excess funds in your account that you will need to resolve with the bank.

Do I need to endorse the check before I photograph it?

Yes. Sign the back of the check in the endorsement area before you take the photo. The app needs to see your signature on the back of the check. Write your name and account number below your signature for extra security.

Can I deposit a check that is more than 180 days old?

Bank of America will not process checks that are older than 180 days from the date written on the check. The app may reject it, or the bank may reject it after submission. If you have an old check, contact the person or business that issued it and ask for a replacement.

What happens if the check bounces after I deposit it?

If the check bounces (the issuing bank does not have sufficient funds), Bank of America will reverse the deposit from your account and charge you a returned-check fee. You will lose the funds and owe the fee. Contact the person who wrote the check and ask them to reissue it or provide payment another way.