What you need to do to connect your bank account
To add a bank account to Cash App, open the app, tap the profile icon in the top-left corner, select "Linked Bank Accounts," and then tap "Link a Bank Account." You'll enter your bank's name, your account number, and your routing number. Cash App will then send two small deposits to your bank account—usually within one to two business days—and you'll confirm the amounts in the app to verify ownership. Once verified, your bank account is connected and you can transfer money between Cash App and your bank.
The entire process typically takes three to five business days from start to finish, though the verification step can happen faster if your bank processes deposits quickly. You need your bank account number and routing number ready before you start, which you can find on a check, your bank's website, or by calling your bank's customer service line.
Key Takeaways
- Cash App verifies your bank account by sending two small test deposits that you must confirm in the app within 30 days.
- You need your account number and routing number, which appear on checks or are available through your bank's online portal.
- The verification process usually takes one to two business days for the deposits to arrive, then a few minutes to confirm them in the app.
- Once linked, you can transfer money from Cash App to your bank account at no cost, though transfers take one to three business days to complete.
- Cash App stores your bank information encrypted and does not share it with third parties without your permission.
Finding your account and routing numbers
Your account number is the unique identifier for your specific checking or savings account at your bank. Your routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your bank itself. Both appear on the bottom left of any check you have from that account—the routing number comes first, then your account number.
If you don't have checks, log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for account details or account information. Most banks display both numbers there. You can also call your bank's customer service number (usually on the back of your debit card) and ask them to provide both numbers over the phone.
Make sure you're providing the numbers for the account you actually want to link. If you have multiple accounts at the same bank, each one has its own account number but they share the same routing number.
How the verification deposits work
After you enter your account and routing numbers, Cash App sends two deposits to your bank account. These are real money—usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each—and they appear as deposits from Cash App or Square Cash. Your bank will process them like any other deposit, which normally takes one to two business days depending on your bank's processing schedule.
Once the deposits land in your account, you'll see them when you check your bank balance or statement. Go back into Cash App, tap your profile icon, select "Linked Bank Accounts," find the account you're verifying, and enter the exact amounts of both deposits. Cash App will confirm the amounts match and mark your account as verified.
You have 30 days to confirm the deposits. If you don't confirm them within that window, you'll need to start the linking process over. After verification is complete, Cash App will not send any more test deposits to that account.
What happens if verification fails or takes too long
If the deposits don't arrive within two business days, check that you entered your account and routing numbers correctly in the app. A single digit wrong will cause the deposits to fail or go to the wrong account. Go back into Cash App and double-check the numbers against your check or your bank's website.
If the numbers are correct but the deposits still haven't arrived after three business days, contact your bank's customer service. Ask them to search for deposits from Cash App or Square Cash. Sometimes deposits get held or delayed by the bank's fraud detection system, especially if your account is new or you've never received transfers from Cash App before. Your bank can release a held deposit or tell you why it was rejected.
If your bank rejects the deposits, you may need to contact Cash App support through the app. Tap your profile icon, scroll down to "Cash Support," and describe the problem. Cash App support can see what happened on their end and may be able to resend the deposits or help you troubleshoot.
Transferring money between Cash App and your bank
Once your bank account is verified, you can move money in both directions. To transfer money from Cash App to your bank, tap the "Cash" tab at the bottom of the screen, then tap the up arrow icon (labeled "Cash Out"). Select the amount you want to transfer, choose your linked bank account as the destination, and confirm the transfer.
Standard transfers take one to three business days to appear in your bank account. Cash App also offers an instant transfer option for a small fee—usually $0.25 to $1.50 depending on the amount—which deposits the money within minutes. The fee is deducted from the amount you transfer, so if you send $100 with instant transfer, your bank receives slightly less.
To transfer money from your bank into Cash App, tap the down arrow icon (labeled "Cash In"), select your linked bank account, enter the amount, and confirm. This also takes one to three business days. You can only transfer money from your bank to Cash App if you have a Cash App debit card or if you're receiving a payment from someone else in the app.
Security and what Cash App does with your information
Cash App encrypts your bank account information, meaning it's scrambled in a way that makes it unreadable to anyone who doesn't have the decryption key. Your account and routing numbers are not stored in plain text on Cash App's servers, and Cash App does not share them with merchants, other users, or third-party services without your explicit permission.
Cash App is owned by Block (formerly Square) and is regulated by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The company is required to follow federal banking security standards and to notify you if there is a data breach affecting your account information. If you believe your linked bank account has been compromised, you can unlink it immediately by tapping your profile icon, selecting "Linked Bank Accounts," and removing the account.
If someone gains unauthorized access to your Cash App account, they could potentially transfer money out of your linked bank account. To protect yourself, use a strong, unique password for Cash App, enable two-factor authentication (available in your profile settings), and review your linked accounts regularly to make sure only the accounts you recognize are connected.
Removing or replacing a linked bank account
If you want to stop using a linked bank account or replace it with a different one, tap your profile icon, select "Linked Bank Accounts," find the account you want to remove, and tap the trash icon or "Remove." The account will be unlinked immediately, and you won't be able to transfer money to or from that account anymore.
You can link multiple bank accounts to the same Cash App account. Each one goes through the same verification process with the two test deposits. If you want to link a second account, follow the same steps as the first time—tap "Link a Bank Account" and enter the new account's details.
If you're replacing an account because your bank closed it or you switched banks, unlink the old account first, then link the new one. This prevents confusion and ensures your transfers go to the right place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link a savings account instead of a checking account?
Yes, Cash App accepts both checking and savings accounts. The process is the same—you enter your account number and routing number, and Cash App sends two verification deposits. Some savings accounts have limits on how many transfers you can make per month, so check your bank's rules before linking a savings account for frequent transfers.
What if I enter the wrong account number by mistake?
The verification deposits will go to the wrong account or be rejected by the bank. You'll see that the deposits didn't arrive in your Cash App account after two business days. Start the linking process over with the correct account number. If the deposits went to someone else's account by mistake, contact your bank immediately—they can help trace the deposits and return them to Cash App.
Do I have to keep my bank account linked to use Cash App?
No. You can use Cash App to send and receive money from other Cash App users without linking a bank account. However, you need a linked bank account or a Cash App debit card to transfer money out of your Cash App balance and into a traditional bank account.
How long does it take to transfer money from my bank to Cash App?
Transfers from your bank to Cash App take one to three business days, the same as transfers going the other direction. The exact timing depends on your bank's processing schedule and whether the transfer happens on a weekend or holiday. Weekday transfers usually complete faster than weekend ones.
What if Cash App won't let me link my bank account?
Cash App may block linking if your account is new, if you've had fraud or chargebacks on your account before, or if your bank doesn't support the verification process. Try contacting Cash App support through the app to ask why the link was blocked. Your bank can also tell you if they're rejecting the connection for security reasons.