What you need before you start
To add a bank account to Cash App, you need the app installed on your phone, an active Cash App account, and your actual bank routing number and account number. Cash App will ask for these two pieces of information and nothing else—not your PIN, not your password, not your Social Security number. If someone claiming to help you set up Cash App asks for any of those, stop and close the conversation.
Your routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your bank. Your account number is the unique identifier for your specific account at that bank. Both appear on the bottom left of any check you have from that account. If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or app, call the bank's customer service line, or visit a branch in person and ask for both numbers.
Cash App works with most U.S. banks, credit unions, and online banks. If your bank is very small or very new, it may not be in Cash App's system yet. The app will tell you during setup if your bank cannot be connected.
Key Takeaways
- You need your bank's routing number and your account number, both of which appear on a check or are available from your bank directly.
- Open Cash App, tap the profile icon, select Banking, and choose Link a Bank Account to start the connection process.
- Cash App will verify your account by depositing two small amounts into your bank account, which you then confirm in the app within 10 days.
- Once verified, you can send money to your bank account (called a transfer or cash out) and receive direct deposits from employers or other sources.
- Never share your bank password, PIN, or Social Security number with Cash App—the app only needs your routing and account numbers.
The step-by-step process to link your bank
Open Cash App and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. From there, select Banking, then Link a Bank Account. Cash App will ask you to enter your bank's name or routing number. Type your routing number if you have it; if not, type your bank's name and select it from the list that appears.
Next, enter your account number. Cash App will show you both numbers before you confirm, so double-check them. If either is wrong, the verification will fail and you will have to start over. Once you confirm, Cash App will tell you that it is sending two small test deposits to your bank account—usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each.
These deposits arrive within one to two business days. You do not need to do anything with the money; it stays in your account. What matters is that you see them and can confirm the amounts in Cash App. This is how Cash App verifies that you actually own the account.
Confirming the test deposits
Once the two deposits land in your bank account, go back to Cash App and tap the Banking section again. Select the account you just linked. Cash App will ask you to enter the amounts of the two test deposits. Type them in exactly as they appear—if one was $0.23 and the other was $0.17, enter those numbers in the order Cash App shows.
You have up to 10 days to confirm these amounts. If you wait longer, the verification expires and you will have to link the account again from the start. After you enter the amounts correctly, Cash App will confirm that your bank account is now linked and ready to use.
If you cannot find the test deposits in your bank account after two business days, check your bank's spam or pending folder. Some banks flag small deposits as suspicious. If they are not there after three business days, contact your bank's customer service to ask whether the deposits were rejected. You may need to link the account again.
What you can do once your bank is linked
A linked bank account lets you move money in two directions. You can transfer money from Cash App to your bank account (called a cash out), and you can set up direct deposits so that money from your employer or other sources lands in Cash App first and then moves to your bank.
To cash out, open Cash App, tap the Money tab at the bottom, and select Cash Out. Choose the amount and confirm. Standard transfers take one to three business days and are free. Instant transfers are available immediately but cost between $0.50 and $1.75 depending on the amount. The app will show you the fee before you confirm.
To receive direct deposits, you will need to give your employer or the paying organization your Cash App routing number and account number. These are different from your bank's numbers. Cash App generates its own routing number for this purpose. You can find both numbers in the Banking section under your linked account.
What happens if verification fails
If you enter the wrong test deposit amounts three times, Cash App will lock you out of that linking attempt. You will have to remove the account and start over. To remove it, go to Banking, select the account, and tap Remove Account. Then wait a few minutes before trying to link again.
If your bank rejects the test deposits, Cash App will show an error message. This usually means your routing or account number was entered incorrectly. Check both numbers against your check or your bank's records, remove the account, and try again with the correct information.
Some banks take longer than two business days to process small deposits. If you do not see them after three business days, contact your bank and ask whether they arrived. If your bank confirms they did, check your account statement carefully—they may be listed under a different name or category. Once you find them, enter the amounts in Cash App.
Security and what not to do
Cash App will never ask you for your bank password, your PIN, your Social Security number, or any other credential beyond your routing and account numbers. If you see a message asking for these, it is a scam. Close Cash App immediately and contact Cash App support through the app itself.
Do not share your Cash App login credentials with anyone, even if they say they are from Cash App or your bank. Cash App support will never ask you to log in on their behalf or to share your password. If someone contacts you claiming to help you link your bank, hang up or close the message and contact Cash App directly through the app.
Once your bank account is linked, anyone with access to your Cash App account can transfer money to your bank. Use a strong, unique password for Cash App and enable two-factor authentication if the app offers it. This adds an extra layer of protection if someone tries to log in as you.
Removing or changing your linked bank account
If you want to unlink your bank account, go to Banking, select the account, and tap Remove Account. The account will be disconnected immediately. Any pending transfers will be cancelled. You can link a different account anytime by following the same process from the start.
If you change banks or close your current account, you should remove the old account from Cash App and link your new one. Transfers to a closed account will fail and the money will bounce back to Cash App, which may take several business days to return to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to link a bank account to Cash App?
The test deposits arrive within one to two business days. Once you confirm the amounts, your account is linked immediately. The entire process usually takes two to five business days from start to finish, depending on how quickly your bank processes the test deposits.
Can I link multiple bank accounts to Cash App?
Cash App allows you to link one bank account at a time. If you want to switch to a different account, you must remove the current one and link the new one. You cannot have two bank accounts active in the same Cash App account simultaneously.
What if I enter my routing number wrong?
If your routing number is incorrect, the test deposits will be rejected by the bank and Cash App will show an error. Remove the account and try again with the correct routing number. You can find the correct number on a check, your bank's website, or by calling your bank.
Do the test deposits stay in my bank account?
Yes. The two small deposits are yours to keep. Cash App does not withdraw them after verification. They typically total less than $2, so most people leave them in their account or spend them normally.
Can I link a savings account instead of a checking account?
Yes. Cash App works with both checking and savings accounts as long as you have the correct routing and account numbers for whichever account you choose. The process is identical regardless of account type.