The three ways to move money into Discover
You can deposit money into a Discover savings account through ACH transfer from another bank, wire transfer, or mobile check deposit. ACH is the slowest but free; wire transfer is fastest but costs money; mobile check deposit is free and takes one to two business days. Which one you use depends on how quickly you need the money there and whether you have a check to deposit.
Discover does not have physical branches, so you cannot walk in and hand over cash or a check to a teller. All deposits happen remotely through your phone, computer, or another bank's ATM network.
Key Takeaways
- ACH transfers from another bank are free and take three to five business days, making them the cheapest option for routine deposits.
- Mobile check deposit through the Discover app is free, takes one to two business days, and works for checks up to $50,000 per day.
- Wire transfers arrive the same day but cost $15 to $20 and are best used only when you need money immediately.
- You can deposit cash at an ATM in the Discover network, then transfer it to your savings account, though this adds an extra step.
ACH transfer from another bank account
An ACH transfer is a free electronic move of money from your checking or savings account at another bank into your Discover account. This is the most common way people deposit money. Log into your Discover account online or through the app, go to Transfer Money, select the bank you want to transfer from, enter the amount, and confirm. Discover will ask you to verify the transfer by logging into your other bank's account or by confirming small deposits that appear in that account within a few days.
The transfer itself takes three to five business days. If you initiate it on a Friday evening, the money will not arrive until Wednesday or Thursday of the following week. Weekends and federal holidays do not count as business days. There is no fee for ACH transfers in either direction.
If you are setting up a transfer from a bank for the first time, Discover may require you to verify the account before the money moves. This verification usually happens through one of two methods: you log into the other bank's website while still in the Discover app, or Discover deposits two small amounts (usually under $1 each) into that account, and you report the exact amounts back to Discover. The second method takes a few extra days.
Mobile check deposit through the app
If you have a paper check, you can deposit it without visiting a bank branch. Open the Discover app, tap Deposit Check, take photos of the front and back of the check, enter the amount, and confirm. The check must be made out to you, and you must sign the back before you photograph it. Discover will tell you when the deposit is complete and when the funds will be available.
Mobile check deposits are free and typically clear within one to two business days. Discover limits mobile check deposits to $50,000 per day and $100,000 per month, though these limits may vary. Once you have deposited a check through the app, do not deposit it again at another bank or ATM — depositing the same check twice is check fraud and can result in overdraft fees, account closure, or criminal charges.
Keep the original check for at least 30 days after you deposit it. If Discover needs to verify the deposit or if there is a problem, they may ask you to produce it.
Wire transfer for same-day deposits
A wire transfer moves money from another bank into your Discover account on the same business day. Wire transfers cost $15 to $20 depending on whether the money is coming from inside or outside the United States. You initiate a wire transfer through your other bank, not through Discover. You will need Discover's wire routing number, your account number, and your name exactly as it appears on your Discover account.
Wire transfers are irreversible once sent, so confirm all account details before you initiate the transfer. If you send money to the wrong account, you cannot get it back through the bank — you would have to contact the account holder directly and ask them to return it. Wire transfers are best used only when you need money in your account the same day and cannot wait for an ACH transfer.
Depositing cash at an ATM
Discover is part of the Allpoint ATM network, which includes thousands of ATMs at grocery stores, pharmacies, and convenience stores. You can deposit cash at any Allpoint ATM using your Discover debit card. The cash deposit goes into your Discover checking account, not your savings account. After the deposit clears (usually within one business day), you can transfer the money from checking to savings using an internal transfer, which is free and instant.
Not all ATMs accept cash deposits — only those in the Allpoint network do. Use the Allpoint ATM locator on the Discover website or app to find a participating ATM near you. There is no fee for cash deposits at Allpoint ATMs.
Setting up automatic recurring deposits
If you want money to move into your Discover savings account on a regular schedule, you can set up an automatic transfer. Log into your Discover account, go to Transfer Money, and select Set Up Recurring Transfer. Choose the bank account you want to transfer from, the amount, and how often (weekly, biweekly, monthly, or on a specific date). Discover will process the transfer automatically on the schedule you set.
Automatic transfers use ACH, so they take three to five business days to complete. You can change or cancel a recurring transfer at any time through your account settings. There is no fee for setting up or maintaining automatic transfers.
What to do if a deposit does not arrive
If you initiated an ACH transfer and it has been more than five business days, log into your Discover account and check the transfer status. Discover shows whether the transfer is pending, completed, or failed. If it failed, Discover will tell you why — common reasons include a typo in the account number, the account being closed, or insufficient funds at the sending bank.
If a mobile check deposit shows as pending after two business days, contact Discover through the app or by phone. Bring the check itself and the confirmation number from the deposit. If a wire transfer does not arrive the same day, contact your sending bank first — the delay is usually on their end, not Discover's.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit cash directly into my Discover savings account?
No, you cannot deposit cash directly into savings. You can deposit cash at an Allpoint ATM using your Discover debit card, which puts it in your checking account. Then transfer it to savings for free using an internal transfer, which takes seconds.
How long does it take for money to show up after I transfer it?
ACH transfers take three to five business days. Mobile check deposits take one to two business days. Wire transfers arrive the same business day. Cash deposits at ATMs clear within one business day.
Is there a limit to how much I can deposit?
ACH transfers and wire transfers have no daily limit. Mobile check deposits are capped at $50,000 per day and $100,000 per month. Cash deposits at ATMs may have limits depending on the ATM — check the screen when you start the transaction.
What happens if I deposit the same check twice?
Depositing the same check at two different places is check fraud. Discover will likely reverse the second deposit, charge you an overdraft fee if your account goes negative, and may close your account. Keep the original check for 30 days after deposit to prove you only deposited it once if there is a dispute.
Can I transfer money from my Discover savings to another bank?
Yes, you can initiate an ACH transfer out of your Discover savings account to another bank for free. It takes three to five business days. You can also set up automatic recurring transfers out if you want money to move on a schedule.