The main ways to deposit money into Discover
Discover offers three primary deposit methods: ACH transfers from another bank account, wire transfers, and mobile check deposit. ACH is the slowest but free. Wire transfer is the 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 in the account and whether you have a check to deposit.
You cannot deposit cash directly at a Discover branch because Discover is an online bank with no physical locations. If you need to deposit cash, you will need to move it through another bank first — deposit the cash at your primary bank, then transfer it to Discover using ACH.
All three methods require you to be logged into your Discover account or using the Discover mobile app. You will need the routing and account number for the account you are transferring from (for ACH), or the sender's bank details (for wire), or simply a check and a camera (for mobile deposit).
Key Takeaways
- ACH transfers from another bank are free and take one to three business days, making them the cheapest option for most deposits.
- Mobile check deposit through the Discover app is free, requires only a photo of the front and back of the check, and clears in one to two business days.
- Wire transfers arrive the same day or next business day but cost money and require you to provide your bank details to the sender.
- Discover has no physical branches, so you cannot deposit cash directly; you must move cash through another bank first.
- All deposits must be initiated through your Discover online account or mobile app.
ACH transfers: the free standard route
An ACH transfer is an electronic movement of money from one bank account to another through the automated clearing house network. It is free, but it is also the slowest deposit method. Most ACH transfers take one to three business days to complete, depending on when you initiate the transfer and your sending bank's processing schedule.
To set up an ACH transfer into Discover, log into your Discover account online or open the mobile app. Look for the "Transfer" or "Move Money" section. You will be asked to enter the routing number and account number of the bank account you are sending money from. Discover's routing number is 011000015 if you are receiving a transfer from an employer or another source. Once you provide the sending account details, you can enter the amount and choose a date for the transfer to begin processing.
The first ACH transfer from a new external account may take longer — sometimes up to five business days — because Discover verifies the account ownership. After that, subsequent transfers from the same account usually process faster. If you are transferring from your own account at another bank, the process is straightforward. If you are receiving a transfer from someone else's account, they will need to initiate it from their bank, not from Discover.
Mobile check deposit: photograph and submit
Mobile check deposit lets you photograph the front and back of a paper check and submit it through the Discover mobile app without visiting a bank. It is free and takes one to two business days to clear. This is the fastest free option if you have a check to deposit.
Open the Discover mobile app and navigate to the deposit section. Select "Mobile Check Deposit" and follow the prompts to photograph the front of the check, then the back. The app will show you a preview of both images. Make sure the entire check is visible, the image is in focus, and all text is readable. Once you confirm the images are clear, enter the check amount and submit.
Discover will send you a confirmation that the deposit was received. The funds typically appear in your account within one to two business days. Some checks clear faster depending on the issuing bank. You should not deposit the physical check anywhere else after submitting it through mobile deposit — write "DEPOSITED" on the back and keep it for your records for at least 30 days in case Discover needs to verify it.
Wire transfers: same-day arrival at a cost
A wire transfer is an electronic payment that moves money directly from one bank to another, usually within hours or by the next business day. Wire transfers cost money — Discover charges a fee for incoming wires, which varies but is typically between $0 and $15 depending on your account type and the sending bank's fees. Wire transfers are useful when you need money to arrive urgently.
To receive a wire transfer into your Discover account, you will need to provide your bank details to the person or organization sending the money. Log into Discover and find your account's wire transfer instructions, which include Discover's routing number (011000015), your account number, and your full name as it appears on the account. Give this information to the sender, and they will initiate the wire from their bank.
Wire transfers typically arrive the same business day if sent before your bank's cutoff time (usually 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. Eastern time). If sent after the cutoff, the wire will arrive the next business day. Once the wire arrives, the funds are immediately available in your Discover account. Unlike ACH transfers, there is no waiting period.
Setting up external accounts for transfers
Before you can transfer money from another bank into Discover, you need to link that external account to your Discover profile. This is called account verification. Log into your Discover account, go to the transfer section, and select "Add External Account." Enter the routing number and account number of the bank account you want to link.
Discover will verify the account by sending two small deposits (usually under $1 each) to the external account. You will need to log into that external bank account, find the two deposits, and return to Discover to confirm the amounts. This process typically takes one to two business days. Once verified, you can transfer money from that account to Discover anytime without repeating the verification.
You can link multiple external accounts to your Discover profile. Each one must be verified separately before you can transfer from it. If you remove an external account link, you will need to verify it again if you want to use it in the future.
Timing and when deposits actually post
The time it takes for a deposit to show in your account depends on the method and the day you initiate it. ACH transfers initiated on a weekday usually post within one to three business days. Transfers initiated on a weekend or holiday may not begin processing until the next business day. Wire transfers sent before the cutoff arrive the same day; those sent after arrive the next business day. Mobile check deposits typically clear within one to two business days.
Business days are Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. If you initiate a transfer on Friday afternoon, it may not start processing until Monday. If Monday is a federal holiday, processing may not begin until Tuesday. Discover's processing cutoff times vary by transfer type, so check your account for the exact cutoff if timing is critical.
Even after a deposit posts to your account, there may be a brief hold on the funds depending on the deposit method and the amount. Discover typically releases holds within one business day, but larger deposits may take longer. You can see any holds in your account details.
What to do if a deposit does not arrive
If you initiated a deposit and it has not arrived within the expected timeframe, first check that you entered the correct account and routing numbers. A single digit wrong will cause the transfer to fail or go to the wrong account. Log into your Discover account and review the transfer history to confirm the details you submitted.
For ACH transfers, contact your sending bank to confirm they processed the transfer. Sometimes the sending bank delays or rejects a transfer due to insufficient funds, account restrictions, or fraud checks. If your sending bank shows the transfer was sent, contact Discover's customer service with the transfer date, amount, and sending bank details. Discover can trace the transfer and determine where it is in the system.
For wire transfers, contact Discover immediately if the wire does not arrive within one business day of sending. Wire transfers can occasionally be misdirected if account numbers were entered incorrectly. Discover can work with the sending bank to locate and redirect the wire. For mobile check deposits, if the deposit does not post within two business days, contact Discover with the check number and amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit cash into my Discover account?
No, Discover has no physical branches where you can deposit cash. If you have cash, deposit it at your primary bank first, then transfer it to Discover using ACH. This takes one to three business days total.
What is Discover's routing number?
Discover's routing number is 011000015. Use this number when setting up transfers into your Discover account from another bank, or when providing wire transfer instructions to someone sending you money.
How much money can I deposit at once?
Discover does not publish a single-transaction limit for deposits. However, very large transfers may trigger fraud reviews and take longer to process. If you are depositing more than $10,000, contact Discover in advance to avoid delays.
Do I need to verify my identity to make a deposit?
You must be logged into your Discover account to initiate any deposit, which requires your username and password. For the first transfer from a new external account, Discover verifies the account by sending two small test deposits that you must confirm. This is a security measure, not an identity verification.
Can someone else deposit money into my Discover account?
Yes. They can initiate an ACH transfer from their bank using your Discover routing number (011000015) and your account number, or they can send a wire transfer using your full account details. You cannot deposit checks on behalf of someone else using mobile deposit.