The basic steps to withdraw from Acorns
To transfer money from Acorns to your bank account, log into the Acorns app or website, go to the Withdraw section, enter the amount you want to move, and confirm the transfer to the bank account you linked during signup. The money typically arrives in two to three business days. You can withdraw any amount up to your full balance at any time — there is no minimum withdrawal and no fee for the transfer itself.
Acorns holds your money in an investment account, so the speed of your withdrawal depends on whether your investments need to be sold first. If you have cash sitting in your Acorns account (from dividends, round-ups that haven't been invested yet, or money you deposited), that cash moves fastest. If your balance is entirely in stocks or funds, Acorns sells enough to cover your withdrawal, which can add a day or two to the process.
The bank account you withdraw to must be the same one you linked to Acorns when you opened your account. You cannot change the linked account or withdraw to a different bank without updating your account information first.
Key Takeaways
- Withdrawals from Acorns take two to three business days to reach your bank account, longer if your balance is invested in stocks or funds that need to be sold first.
- You can withdraw any amount, including your full balance, with no minimum or withdrawal fee charged by Acorns.
- The money goes only to the bank account you originally linked to Acorns; you must update your account settings if you want to use a different bank.
- Acorns may report the withdrawal as a taxable event if you have gains in your investments, so keep records for tax time.
How to update your linked bank account before withdrawing
If you want to withdraw to a different bank account than the one you originally linked, you need to update your account information in Acorns first. Open the app, go to Settings, select Banking or Payment Method, and follow the prompts to add or change your linked account. Acorns will verify the new account by sending two small test deposits (usually under $1 each) to that bank, which you then confirm in the Acorns app.
This verification process takes one to two business days. Once confirmed, you can withdraw to that account. If you try to withdraw before the new account is verified, the transfer will fail and your money stays in Acorns.
If you have multiple Acorns accounts (for example, a personal account and a separate investment account), each one has its own linked bank account. You cannot move money between your Acorns accounts directly — you have to withdraw from one to your bank, then deposit into the other if needed.
What happens to your investments when you withdraw
When you request a withdrawal, Acorns sells whatever portion of your investments is necessary to cover the amount you are moving out. If you have $500 in your account and you withdraw $200, Acorns sells $200 worth of your stocks or funds and sends the cash to your bank. The remaining $300 stays invested.
This sale can trigger a taxable event. If you have gains (the value of your investments went up since you bought them), you owe tax on those gains in the year you sell. Acorns does not withhold taxes from your withdrawal, so you may owe money at tax time. Keep records of what you withdrew and when — Acorns sends you a year-end tax document (Form 1099) that reports your sales and gains.
If you have losses (your investments went down in value), selling at a loss can offset other gains you have, which may lower your tax bill. This is another reason to keep withdrawal records.
Timing: how long withdrawals actually take
Acorns processes withdrawal requests during business hours, Monday through Friday. If you request a withdrawal on a Friday afternoon or over the weekend, processing does not start until Monday. Once processing starts, the money typically reaches your bank in two to three business days after that.
The exact timeline depends on your bank. Some banks credit transfers the same day they receive them; others take an additional business day. If you withdraw on a Monday morning and your bank is fast, you might see the money by Wednesday. If you withdraw on a Friday afternoon, it could be the following Wednesday or Thursday before the money lands.
Acorns does not hold your money or delay transfers. The delay is either in Acorns' processing time or in your bank's deposit time. If money does not arrive within five business days of your withdrawal request, contact Acorns support with your withdrawal confirmation number.
Partial withdrawals and keeping your account open
You do not have to close your Acorns account to withdraw money. You can take out part of your balance and leave the rest invested. Many people withdraw money for a specific expense — a car repair, a medical bill, a down payment — and keep their Acorns account running to continue investing.
If you withdraw your entire balance, your account stays open and active. You can deposit new money or let round-ups accumulate again. There is no penalty for emptying your account or for leaving it empty for a while.
If you do want to close your account permanently, you must withdraw all your money first. Acorns does not let you delete an account that still holds a balance. Once your account is empty, you can request account closure in Settings.
What to do if your withdrawal fails or gets stuck
A withdrawal can fail if your linked bank account is closed, if the account information is wrong, or if your bank rejects the transfer for fraud protection reasons. When this happens, Acorns returns the money to your Acorns account, usually within one to two business days. You will see a notification in the app explaining why the transfer failed.
If your bank rejected the transfer, contact your bank directly to ask why. Banks sometimes flag transfers from investment apps as suspicious. Your bank may need you to confirm the transfer is legitimate before it will accept the next one. Once you have cleared it with your bank, you can request the withdrawal again in Acorns.
If you requested a withdrawal and do not see it arrive in your bank account after five business days, and Acorns shows the withdrawal as processed, contact your bank's customer service. Provide them with the withdrawal date and amount. Your bank can trace the transfer and tell you where it is stuck. Acorns support can also help — they have a record of every withdrawal they sent.
Fees and costs of withdrawing
Acorns does not charge a fee to withdraw money from your account. The transfer itself is free. However, your bank may charge a fee if you make too many transfers in a month — some banks limit free transfers and charge for extras, though this is less common now. Check your bank's account terms if you plan to withdraw frequently.
The only cost of withdrawing is the tax you may owe on investment gains, which is not a fee but a tax obligation. Acorns also charges a monthly subscription fee (usually $1 to $5 depending on your plan) to keep your account open, whether you withdraw or not. If you close your account, you stop paying the subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withdraw money from Acorns on weekends or holidays?
You can request a withdrawal anytime through the app, but Acorns only processes withdrawals during business hours on weekdays. A request made on Saturday or Sunday will not process until Monday. Requests made on federal holidays are processed the next business day.
What if I withdraw money and then want to invest it again?
Once money is in your bank account, you can deposit it back into Acorns anytime. Open the Acorns app, go to Deposit, and transfer from your linked bank account. The deposit takes one to two business days to show up in your Acorns account, and then you can invest it. There is no limit on how many times you can withdraw and redeposit.
Do I have to pay taxes on money I withdraw from Acorns?
You only owe tax on investment gains, not on the money itself. If you withdraw $500 and $100 of that is profit from your investments going up in value, you owe tax on the $100 gain. Acorns sends you a tax form at year-end showing your gains and losses. Consult a tax professional if you are unsure whether your withdrawal triggered a taxable event.
Can I withdraw to a different bank account than the one I linked?
No, not without updating your account first. You must add the new bank account in Acorns settings and verify it with the test deposits. Once verified, future withdrawals go to that account. The process takes one to two business days.
What happens if I request a withdrawal but change my mind?
If you cancel the withdrawal before Acorns processes it, the money stays in your account. Once processing has started, you cannot cancel. Contact Acorns support immediately if you need to stop a withdrawal — they may be able to halt it if it has not yet been sent to your bank.