The three ways to move money into Discover
You can deposit 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 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, works for most personal checks, and clears in one to two business days.
- Wire transfers arrive the same day or next business day but cost between $10 and $25, depending on whether you initiate from Discover or another bank.
- You will need your Discover account number and routing number to receive money from another bank, or your mobile app to deposit a check yourself.
ACH transfer: free but takes three to five days
An ACH transfer moves money electronically from your checking or savings account at another bank into your Discover account. It is free and requires no special equipment, but it is the slowest method. Most ACH transfers take three to five business days to complete, though some banks process them faster.
To receive an ACH transfer, log into your Discover account online or through the app and find your account number and routing number (Discover's routing number is 011000015). Give these to whoever is sending you the money—a friend, employer, or another account holder. They initiate the transfer from their own bank's website or app, and the money appears in your Discover account once their bank and Discover have processed it.
If you are sending money to yourself from another bank you own, log into that bank's website, select "send money" or "transfer," and enter your Discover account details. The process is the same from the receiving end: you wait for the transfer to clear.
Mobile check deposit: free and takes one to two days
The Discover mobile app lets you deposit a check by taking photos of the front and back with your phone. This method is free, works for most personal and business checks, and usually clears within one to two business days.
Open the Discover app, navigate to the deposit or check deposit section, and follow the prompts to photograph both sides of the check. The app will show you what it reads from the check—the amount, routing number, and account number—so you can verify it is correct before you submit. Once you submit, Discover sends the check image to their processing center. Do not deposit the physical check again; most banks ask you to hold it for a few days and then destroy it.
Mobile check deposit has limits. Discover usually caps deposits at $2,500 per check and $5,000 per day, though these limits can vary. If you are depositing a check larger than the limit, you will need to use wire transfer or split it across multiple days.
Wire transfer: fastest but costs $10 to $25
A wire transfer moves money electronically and arrives the same day or the next business day, making it the fastest option. The trade-off is cost: wire transfers typically cost between $10 and $25, depending on whether you initiate the transfer from Discover or from another bank.
To receive a wire transfer into your Discover account, you will need to provide the sender with your account number, Discover's routing number (011000015), and your full name as it appears on the account. The sender initiates the wire from their bank, and Discover receives and deposits the funds within hours or by the next business day.
If you are sending money to yourself from another bank, log into that bank's website, select wire transfer, and enter your Discover account details. Your bank will charge you a fee (usually $15 to $25) and may require you to call or visit in person to authorize the transfer, depending on their security policies.
What happens after you deposit: when the money is available
The money shows up in your account immediately for display purposes, but it is not available to withdraw or transfer until it has cleared. For ACH transfers, clearing takes three to five business days. For mobile check deposits, it usually takes one to two business days. For wire transfers, it typically clears the same day or next business day.
During the clearing period, Discover is verifying that the money actually left the sending account and that there are no fraud flags or errors. If something goes wrong—the sending account does not have enough money, the routing number is wrong, or the check bounces—Discover will reverse the deposit and notify you.
Depositing cash: you will need another bank
Discover does not accept cash deposits directly. If you have cash and want to move it into your Discover account, you will need to deposit it into a checking or savings account at another bank first, then transfer it to Discover using ACH or wire transfer.
Many banks let you deposit cash at ATMs or branches without holding an account there, though policies vary. Some credit unions and regional banks offer this service to non-members for a small fee. Once the cash is in another account, use ACH (free, three to five days) or wire transfer (faster, costs money) to move it to Discover.
Troubleshooting: what to do if a deposit does not arrive
If you sent money to your Discover account and it has not arrived within the expected timeframe, first check that you used the correct account number and routing number. A single digit wrong will send the money to the wrong account or cause the transfer to fail and bounce back.
For ACH transfers, wait the full five business days before contacting Discover. Weekends and holidays do not count as business days, so a transfer initiated on Friday may not arrive until Wednesday. If five business days have passed, log into your Discover account and contact customer service through the app or by phone. Have the sending bank's name, the date you initiated the transfer, and the amount ready.
For mobile check deposits, check the app to see if Discover rejected the image—this usually means the photo was blurry, the check was damaged, or the amount was illegible. Retake the photos and resubmit. If the deposit shows as processed but the money has not appeared after two business days, contact Discover.
For wire transfers, contact Discover immediately if the money does not arrive within one business day. Wire transfers are harder to reverse, so speed matters. Have your confirmation number from the sending bank ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit cash directly into Discover?
No. Discover has no branches or ATMs that accept cash deposits. You must deposit cash into another bank account first, then transfer it to Discover using ACH or wire transfer.
How long does a mobile check deposit take to clear?
Most mobile check deposits clear within one to two business days. Discover shows the deposit in your account right away, but you cannot withdraw or transfer the money until it has cleared. Weekends and holidays do not count as business days.
What is Discover's routing number?
Discover's routing number is 011000015. You will need this number if someone is sending you money via ACH transfer or wire transfer.
Is there a limit on how much I can deposit?
Mobile check deposits are limited to $2,500 per check and $5,000 per day. ACH and wire transfers have higher limits, but Discover may flag unusually large deposits for fraud review. Contact Discover if you need to deposit more than these amounts.
What if I deposit a check and then spend the money before it clears?
If the check bounces after you have already withdrawn the money, your account will go negative and Discover will charge you an overdraft fee. The check may bounce if the sending account does not have enough money, the account is closed, or the check is fraudulent. Always wait for the deposit to clear before spending the money.