The three ways to deposit into Discover
Discover offers three methods to move money into your savings account: 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.
You cannot walk into a Discover branch and hand over cash or a check because Discover has no physical branches. All deposits happen online, through the app, or by mail. This matters because it shapes which method works for your situation.
Before you start any deposit, you will need your Discover savings account number and routing number. You can find both in the Discover app under Account Details, or by logging into your online account and looking at the account information section.
Key Takeaways
- ACH transfers from another bank are free and take three to five business days, making them the cheapest option for money you do not need immediately.
- Wire transfers arrive the same day or next business day but cost between $10 and $15, depending on whether you initiate from Discover or from your other bank.
- Mobile check deposit through the Discover app is free, takes one to two business days, and works for checks up to $50,000.
- You will need your Discover account number and routing number (01012014) to set up transfers from another bank.
- Mailing a check to Discover is an option but takes seven to ten business days and offers no tracking until the check clears.
ACH transfer: free but slower
An ACH transfer moves money electronically from your bank account at another institution directly into your Discover savings account. It is free and requires no special equipment, but it takes three to five business days. Use this method when you have time and want to avoid fees.
To set up an ACH transfer, log into your Discover account online or open the app. Go to the Transfers section and select "Transfer from another bank." Discover will ask you to enter the routing number and account number of the bank you are transferring from. You will also need to verify that you own the account at the other bank — Discover typically does this by making two small deposits (under $1 each) into that account, which you then confirm in your Discover account. This verification takes one to two business days.
Once verified, you can initiate transfers of any amount. The money will arrive in your Discover account three to five business days after you submit the transfer request. Discover counts business days only — weekends and federal holidays do not count toward the timeline.
Wire transfer: fast but with a fee
A wire transfer moves money the same day or next business day, but Discover charges $10 for incoming wires. If you initiate the wire from your other bank instead of from Discover, your other bank may also charge a fee (typically $15 to $25). Wire transfers are best when you need money in your account urgently and the fee is worth the speed.
To receive a wire into your Discover savings account, you will need to provide the sender with your account number, Discover's routing number (01012014), and your full name as it appears on the account. The sender initiates the wire from their own bank. Once the wire is sent, Discover typically receives and posts it the same business day if sent before 2 p.m. Eastern Time. Wires sent after 2 p.m. or on weekends arrive the next business day.
Wire transfers are permanent once sent — you cannot cancel or reverse them. Make sure the account number and routing number are correct before the sender submits the wire. If information is wrong, the wire may be rejected or sent to the wrong account, and recovery can take weeks.
Mobile check deposit: free and straightforward
If you have a paper check, you can deposit it using the Discover mobile app without visiting a bank or mailing anything. Open the app, go to Deposits, and select "Mobile Check Deposit." Take a photo of the front and back of the check, and the app will read the amount and routing information automatically. The check must be made out to you and endorsed on the back (sign your name on the back).
Discover accepts checks up to $50,000 per deposit and up to $100,000 per calendar month. The deposit is free and takes one to two business days to clear. Once you submit the photos, you will see a confirmation number. Keep the physical check for at least 30 days in case Discover needs to verify it, then destroy it (shred or burn it) so it cannot be deposited twice.
Mobile check deposit sometimes fails if the check image is blurry, the lighting is poor, or the check is damaged. If your deposit is rejected, the app will tell you why. You can try again with better photos, or you can mail the check to Discover instead.
Mailing a check: slowest option
You can mail a paper check directly to Discover. Write your account number on the back of the check and mail it to the address Discover provides in your account settings (the address changes based on your state). Mailed checks take seven to ten business days to arrive and clear, and you have no way to track the check until it posts to your account.
Use this method only if you cannot use mobile deposit (for example, if the check is damaged or the app is not working) and you do not need the money quickly. Once you mail the check, there is no way to cancel it if you change your mind — you have to wait for it to arrive and then request a reversal, which takes additional time.
What to do if your deposit fails or is rejected
ACH transfers can be rejected if the account number or routing number is wrong, if the account is closed, or if the sending bank suspects fraud. Discover will notify you by email or in the app, usually within one business day. You can then correct the information and try again, or contact Discover support to ask whether the transfer can be resubmitted to the same bank.
Wire transfers that are rejected are returned to the sending bank, not to your Discover account. The sender will see the rejection and can resubmit with corrected information. This process takes an additional one to two business days.
Mobile check deposits are rejected if the image is unreadable, the check is post-dated (dated in the future), or the check amount exceeds the monthly limit. The app will tell you the reason. Resubmit with clearer photos or wait until the next calendar month if you have hit the $100,000 monthly limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit cash into my Discover savings account?
No. Discover has no physical locations and does not accept cash deposits. If you have cash, you must first deposit it into a checking account at another bank (one with branches or ATMs), then transfer the money from that account to Discover using ACH or wire transfer.
How long does it take money to show up after I submit an ACH transfer?
Three to five business days. Discover counts only weekdays and excludes federal holidays. If you submit a transfer on Friday, it will not arrive until Wednesday or Thursday of the following week at the earliest.
What is Discover's routing number?
Discover's routing number is 01012014. You will need this when setting up transfers from another bank or when someone sends you a wire transfer. Do not confuse this with your account number — they are different.
Can I deposit a check that is made out to someone else?
No. The check must be made out to you, the account holder. If a check is made out to another person, they must deposit it into their own account, or they can sign it over to you (third-party check), though many banks no longer accept third-party checks.
What happens if I deposit the same check twice by accident?
Discover's system is designed to catch duplicate deposits and will reject the second one. If a duplicate somehow posts, Discover will reverse it once you report it. Keep the physical check for 30 days so you can prove you deposited it if there is a dispute.