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

Bank of America lets you deposit checks using the mobile app without visiting a branch. You photograph the front and back of the check, the app reads the amount, and the funds appear in your account within one to two business days. You need a Bank of America checking or savings account, the mobile app installed on your phone, and a check made out to you.

The process takes about two minutes. You don't mail the check or hand it to anyone. After you deposit it through the app, you should write "deposited" on the check and keep it for your records for at least 30 days, in case the bank needs to verify the image later.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Bank of America mobile app, tap Deposit, and photograph both sides of the check in good lighting.
  • The app shows you the amount it read from the check—review it before you confirm, because the bank will process what you submit.
  • Funds typically post within one to two business days, though some deposits may take longer depending on the check amount and your account history.
  • You can deposit up to $2,500 per check and up to $5,000 per day through mobile deposit, though these limits may vary by account type.
  • Write "deposited" on the check after submission and keep it for 30 days in case Bank of America needs to confirm the image quality.

Step-by-step process for depositing a check on your phone

Start by opening the Bank of America mobile app and signing in. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right, then select "Deposit a Check" or look for a deposit option in the main menu. The app will ask which account you want to deposit into—select the checking or savings account where you want the money to go.

Position the check on a flat surface in good natural light. Take a photo of the front of the check, making sure all four corners and the entire check are visible in the frame. The app will show you a preview. If the image is blurry or cut off, retake it. Then photograph the back of the check the same way. Review both images before you tap "Submit" or "Confirm"—the bank will process exactly what you send.

The app will display the amount it read from the check. Look at this number carefully. If it's wrong, you can edit it before you submit. Once you confirm, the deposit is sent to the bank. You'll see a confirmation message with a reference number. Take a screenshot or note this number in case you need to contact the bank about the deposit later.

When the money shows up in your account

Bank of America typically posts mobile check deposits within one to two business days. The exact timing depends on when you submit the deposit and what day of the week it is. A check deposited on a Friday evening may not post until Monday or Tuesday. A check deposited on a Tuesday morning usually posts by Wednesday or Thursday.

Some deposits take longer. If the check amount is unusually large, if your account is new, or if the bank needs to verify the image quality, the hold may extend to three to five business days. You can check the status of your deposit in the app by going to your transaction history and looking for the pending deposit.

Once the deposit posts, the money is yours to use. If you need the funds urgently, calling a Bank of America branch and asking about expedited processing may help, though the bank cannot may provide a faster timeline.

Deposit limits and what happens if you exceed them

Bank of America allows up to $2,500 per check through mobile deposit and up to $5,000 per calendar day. These limits apply to the total of all checks you deposit in a single day, not per transaction. If you try to deposit a check for $3,000, the app will reject it and tell you the amount exceeds the per-check limit.

If you need to deposit a check larger than $2,500, you have two options: visit a Bank of America branch in person and hand the check to a teller, or contact the bank to ask if they can temporarily raise your mobile deposit limit. Some accounts with longer histories or higher balances may be may be able to access for higher limits, but the bank decides this on a case-by-case basis.

If you deposit multiple checks in one day and reach the $5,000 daily limit, any additional checks you try to deposit will be rejected until the next calendar day. The app will tell you how much of your daily limit remains before you submit each deposit.

What to do if the photo is blurry or the app rejects the check

If the image is too blurry, too dark, or cut off at the edges, the app will either reject it immediately or flag it for manual review. If it rejects the deposit right away, retake the photo in better lighting. Make sure the entire check—all four corners and every line of text—is visible and in focus. Avoid shadows and glare from windows or overhead lights.

If the app accepts the deposit but the bank later rejects it because the image quality is poor, you'll receive a notification in the app or by email. The bank will tell you to resubmit the check or bring it to a branch. At that point, you can take a new photo and deposit it again, or visit a teller. The original deposit will be reversed if the bank cannot read it.

If the check itself is damaged—torn, written on, or with ink smudged across the numbers—the bank may reject it even if the photo is clear. In that case, contact the person or business that issued the check and ask for a replacement.

Security and what happens if something goes wrong

Bank of America encrypts the images you send through the app, and the bank deletes them from their servers after a set period. Your phone connection to the app is also encrypted. However, you are responsible for keeping your phone secure. If someone gains access to your phone and your Bank of America app, they could deposit checks into your account without your permission.

After you deposit a check, write "deposited" across the front in pen and keep the physical check for at least 30 days. If the bank needs to verify that the deposit was legitimate or if there's a dispute about the amount, you'll have the original check to show. Do not destroy the check until you're certain the deposit has posted and cleared.

If you notice a deposit in your account that you did not make, contact Bank of America immediately. Call the number on the back of your debit card or visit a branch. The bank can investigate and reverse fraudulent deposits. If someone deposited a check in your name without permission, that is check fraud, and the bank may file a report with law enforcement.

Alternatives if mobile deposit is not working or not available

If the app keeps rejecting your check or if your account does not have mobile deposit turned on, you can deposit the check in person at any Bank of America branch. Walk up to a teller, hand them the check, and tell them which account to deposit it into. The teller will process it immediately, and the funds will post within one to two business days just as they would through the app.

You can also mail the check to Bank of America. Write your account number on the back of the check and mail it to the address on your statement or the back of your debit card. Mailed checks take longer—usually five to seven business days—because the mail itself adds time. Use this method only if you cannot visit a branch or use the app.

Some Bank of America ATMs also accept check deposits. Look for an ATM with a check deposit slot. Insert the check, follow the on-screen prompts, and the machine will scan it and deposit it into your account. Timing is the same as mobile deposit: one to two business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit a check made out to someone else?

No. Bank of America will reject a check that is not made out to you or to you and another person whose name is on the account. If you receive a check made out to someone else, that person must deposit it themselves or sign the back and add "pay to the order of [your name]" before you can deposit it in your account.

What if the check is post-dated or very old?

Bank of America will accept a post-dated check (one dated in the future) through mobile deposit, but the bank will not process it until the date on the check arrives. An old check—one dated more than six months ago—may be rejected by the bank because it is considered stale. Contact the issuer and ask for a replacement if the check is older than six months.

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

No. You do not need to sign the back of the check before you deposit it through the app. Bank of America's mobile deposit system does not require an endorsement. However, after you submit the deposit, you should write "deposited" on the back for your records.

What happens if I accidentally deposit the same check twice?

If you deposit the same check twice—once through the app and once in person, or twice through the app—the bank will catch the duplicate and reject the second deposit. The check number and amount will match, and the system will flag it. You'll receive a notification that the second deposit was rejected. The money will only be added to your account once.

Can I deposit a check if I'm not the account holder?

No. Only the account holder or an authorized user on the account can use mobile deposit. If you are not on the account, you cannot deposit checks through the app. The account holder must add you as an authorized user first, or you can deposit the check in person at a branch with the account holder present.