Open the app, find Mobile Check Deposit, and photograph both sides of the check

Bank of America's mobile check deposit feature lets you photograph the front and back of a check and send it to your account without visiting a branch. The process takes about two minutes. Open the Bank of America app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right, scroll down to "Deposit a Check," and select "Mobile Check Deposit." You'll be asked to photograph the front of the check, then the back. Hold the check flat, make sure all four corners and the entire text are visible in the frame, and tap the camera button. Repeat for the back side.

The app will show you a preview of both images. Check that the MICR line (the numbers at the bottom of the check) is clearly readable and that no part of the check is cut off. If either image is blurry or incomplete, retake it. Once both images look good, tap "Continue."

Key Takeaways

  • Mobile check deposit requires you to photograph both the front and back of the check, and both images must show all four corners and be in focus.
  • The check must be drawn on a U.S. bank, made out to you or your business, and not already deposited elsewhere.
  • Funds typically appear in your account within one business day, though some checks take longer depending on the amount and the check's origin.
  • Once you photograph and submit a check, do not deposit it again at an ATM or branch, and do not cash it — doing so can result in overdraft fees or fraud holds.

Verify the check amount and account before you submit

After the app shows you the preview images, it will display the check amount and ask you to confirm it matches the written amount on the check. Read both the numbers and the words on the check itself to make sure they match what the app shows. If the amount is wrong, cancel and retake the photographs — the app may have misread the MICR line or the amount field.

Next, the app will ask which account you want to deposit the check into. If you have multiple accounts at Bank of America, select the correct one. Once you confirm the account, you cannot change it, so double-check before you proceed.

Submit the deposit and understand the hold timeline

Tap "Submit" to send the check images to Bank of America. You'll see a confirmation screen with a reference number. Write this number down or take a screenshot — you'll need it if you have questions about the deposit later.

The funds typically appear in your account within one business day. However, the actual timeline depends on when the check was issued, the amount, and the bank it was drawn on. Checks for $5,000 or more may take longer to clear. Bank of America may also place a temporary hold on the funds if the check is from an unfamiliar bank or if your account is new. You can check the status of your deposit by opening the app, going to the menu, and selecting "Deposit a Check" again — it will show you a history of recent deposits and their status.

What happens after you submit — do not deposit the check again

Once you submit the check through the app, Bank of America has a copy of it. You must not deposit the same check at an ATM, at a branch, or anywhere else. You must also not cash it. Depositing or cashing the same check twice is called check fraud, even if you do it by accident. Bank of America will catch it, and you will face overdraft fees, a hold on your account, or closure of your account.

The safest practice is to write "Deposited via mobile" on the back of the check with a pen, then keep it in a safe place for at least 30 days. After 30 days, you can shred it or throw it away. Do not leave blank checks lying around, and do not give the check to anyone else.

Checks that the app will not accept

Mobile check deposit has limits. The check must be drawn on a U.S. bank — foreign checks, traveler's checks, and checks from credit unions outside the U.S. cannot be deposited this way. The check must be made out to you or to your business name as it appears on your account. If the check is made out to someone else, even a spouse or family member, you cannot deposit it through the app.

The check must not be post-dated (dated in the future) or stale-dated (more than six months old). If either is true, the bank will reject it. The check must also not have been altered, and the signature must be present. If you have any doubt about whether a check meets these rules, call Bank of America at the number on the back of your debit card or visit a branch.

Troubleshooting blurry images and rejected deposits

If the app says your images are blurry or incomplete, the camera did not capture the entire check or the lighting was poor. Try again in a well-lit area, away from windows or bright overhead lights that can create glare. Hold the check flat on a dark surface (a table or desk works well) and keep your phone steady as you take the photo. Make sure the entire check, including all four corners, is visible in the frame before you tap the button.

If the app rejects the deposit after you submit it, Bank of America will send you a notification explaining why. Common reasons include the MICR line being unreadable, the amount not matching the written amount, or the check being damaged or altered. If this happens, contact Bank of America to ask whether you can resubmit the check or whether you need to deposit it in person at a branch.

Daily and monthly deposit limits

Bank of America sets limits on how much you can deposit through mobile check deposit in a single day and in a calendar month. These limits vary depending on your account type and history. Most personal checking accounts can deposit up to $2,500 per day and $5,000 per month, but some accounts have higher or lower limits. You can find your specific limit by opening the app, going to the menu, and selecting "Deposit a Check" — the limit will be displayed before you take any photos.

If you need to deposit a check larger than your daily limit, you can split it across multiple days, or you can deposit it at an ATM or branch instead. Some Bank of America ATMs accept check deposits, and all branches do.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for the money to show up in my account?

Funds typically appear within one business day. However, Bank of America may place a temporary hold on the funds for up to five business days if the check is large, from an unfamiliar bank, or if your account is new. You can check the status of your deposit in the app by going to the menu and selecting "Deposit a Check."

Can I deposit a check made out to someone else?

No. The check must be made out to you or to your business name as it appears on your account. If the check is made out to someone else, you cannot deposit it through the mobile app. You would need to ask the person to deposit it themselves, or you could visit a branch and ask whether they can accept a third-party check.

What if I accidentally deposit the same check twice?

Bank of America's systems will detect the duplicate and reject the second deposit. However, if you somehow manage to deposit it twice before the bank catches it, you will owe the money back. You may also face overdraft fees or account closure. Once you submit a check through the app, do not deposit it anywhere else.

Can I deposit a check that is post-dated or older than six months?

No. The check must be dated within the current date and up to six months in the past. Post-dated checks (dated in the future) and stale-dated checks (more than six months old) will be rejected by the app or by the bank after submission. If you have an old or future-dated check, contact the person who wrote it and ask for a new one.

What should I do with the check after I deposit it through the app?

Write "Deposited via mobile" on the back of the check with a pen and keep it in a safe place for at least 30 days. After 30 days, you can shred it or throw it away. Do not deposit it again, do not cash it, and do not give it to anyone else.