The fastest way out is a transfer to your linked bank account, which usually lands in one to three business days

SoFi lets you move money out of your savings account in three ways: transfer to a linked external bank account, withdraw cash at an ATM, or request a check. The transfer method is the most common and takes the longest—one to three business days depending on your bank. ATM withdrawals are instant but limited to what the network allows per transaction. Checks take five to ten business days to clear after you mail or deposit them.

You do not need to call SoFi or submit a form to move money. The transfer happens through your SoFi app or online account, and you control when it goes out. There are no withdrawal limits on how much you can move in a single transfer, though your external bank may have its own deposit caps.

Key Takeaways

  • Transfers to a linked bank account are free and typically arrive within one to three business days, making them the standard way to access your money.
  • ATM withdrawals through the Allpoint network are instant but capped at your bank's per-transaction limit, usually $500 to $1,000.
  • You can request a check from SoFi, which takes five to ten business days to clear after you deposit it at your bank.
  • SoFi does not charge fees for withdrawals, transfers, or checks, though your external bank may charge deposit fees if you exceed their limits.

How to transfer money to your linked bank account

Open the SoFi app or log into your online account and navigate to your savings account. Select the option to transfer funds or move money (the exact label varies by app version). Choose "transfer to external account" and select the bank account you want the money to go to. If you have not linked an account yet, you will need to add one—SoFi will ask for your routing number and account number, which you can find on a check or by logging into your bank's website.

Enter the amount you want to move and confirm the transfer. SoFi will show you the expected arrival date, which is typically one to three business days. The money leaves your SoFi account immediately, but your external bank controls when it actually appears in your account. Weekends and holidays can add time—a transfer initiated on Friday may not land until Tuesday.

If you are moving a large amount, your external bank may place a temporary hold while they verify the deposit. This is normal and does not mean the transfer failed. Contact your bank if the money does not arrive within the stated timeframe.

Withdrawing cash at an ATM

SoFi offers ATM access through the Allpoint network, which includes over 55,000 ATMs worldwide. You can use your SoFi debit card (if you have one) or request a cash withdrawal through the app at participating ATMs. Each transaction is limited by the ATM's per-withdrawal cap, which is usually $500 to $1,000 depending on the machine and your account history.

To withdraw cash, insert your debit card at an Allpoint ATM, enter your PIN, and select the withdrawal amount. The money comes out instantly. If you do not have a debit card or prefer not to use one, some SoFi accounts allow you to initiate a withdrawal through the app and pick up cash at certain locations, though this option is less common and depends on your account type.

There are no SoFi fees for ATM withdrawals, but the ATM operator may charge a fee—typically $2 to $3. Your account will show this as a separate charge. If you withdraw frequently, transfers to your linked bank account are cheaper over time.

Requesting a check from SoFi

You can request that SoFi mail you a check drawn on your savings account. Open the app, go to your account settings, and look for the option to request a check or order checks. Enter the amount and your mailing address. SoFi will mail the check to you, which typically takes five to seven business days. Once you receive it, you deposit it at your bank, and it takes another three to five business days to clear.

This method is slowest and is useful mainly if you need to pay someone who does not accept electronic transfers or if you want a paper record. There is no fee from SoFi, but your bank may charge a deposit fee if you exceed their check-deposit limit in a single day.

What happens if your transfer is delayed or fails

If a transfer does not arrive within the stated timeframe, first check that you entered the correct account number and routing number. A single digit wrong will send the money to the wrong account, and recovering it requires contacting both SoFi and the receiving bank. SoFi can see where the transfer went and may be able to recall it, but this process takes several days.

If the account details were correct and the money still has not arrived, contact SoFi's support team through the app or by phone. They can check the transfer status on their end and confirm whether the money left SoFi's system. If it did, your external bank is holding it for some reason—usually a verification hold or a mismatch between the account name and the name on your SoFi account. Your bank can tell you why and how long the hold will last.

SoFi does not charge a fee to retry a failed transfer. If the original transfer was rejected, you can initiate a new one immediately.

Limits and restrictions on withdrawals

SoFi does not impose a limit on how much you can transfer out of your savings account in a single transaction or per day. However, your external bank may have deposit limits—some banks cap daily deposits at $10,000 or $25,000. If you are moving a very large amount, check your bank's policy first or split the transfer across multiple days.

ATM withdrawals are capped by the machine, not by SoFi. Most Allpoint ATMs allow $500 to $1,000 per transaction, though some allow up to $2,000. If you need more cash than a single ATM withdrawal allows, you can make multiple withdrawals or use a transfer to your bank and then withdraw from there.

SoFi savings accounts are subject to federal regulations that once limited withdrawals to six per month, but those rules were suspended in 2020 and have not been reinstated. You can withdraw as often as you want without penalty.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it really take for money to show up after I transfer it?

SoFi's part takes a few hours—the money leaves your SoFi account the same day. Your external bank controls the rest. Most banks show the deposit within one to three business days, but some take longer. Transfers initiated on Friday or before a holiday may not land until the following Tuesday or Wednesday.

Can I withdraw money if I have a pending deposit or hold on my account?

Yes. Holds and pending deposits do not block withdrawals. You can move money out even if your account is waiting for a check to clear or if SoFi has placed a temporary hold on a recent deposit. The hold only affects whether you can spend that specific money, not your ability to access other funds.

What if I enter the wrong account number when I set up a transfer?

The money will go to whatever account matches that number and routing number. If it goes to the wrong bank or the wrong person, contact SoFi immediately. They can attempt to recall the transfer, but success depends on whether the receiving bank has already processed it. This process can take several days, and there is no may provide the money will come back.

Are there fees for transferring money out of SoFi?

SoFi does not charge fees for transfers, ATM withdrawals, or checks. Your external bank may charge a deposit fee if you exceed their daily or monthly deposit limit, and ATM operators may charge a small fee ($2 to $3) for using their machine. These are not SoFi fees.

Can I set up automatic transfers out of my SoFi savings account?

Yes. In the app, you can schedule recurring transfers to your linked bank account on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis. This is useful if you want to move money to another account regularly without having to initiate each transfer manually.