The fastest way to change your linked bank account
Open the Wallet app on your iPhone, tap the Apple Cash card, then tap the three dots in the top right corner and select Card Settings. Scroll down to Linked Bank Account and tap Change Bank Account. You'll enter your new bank's routing and account numbers, and Apple will verify the account with two small deposits—usually within one to three business days. Once verified, your new account becomes active for transfers and top-ups.
The process works the same whether you're switching banks entirely or adding a second account to fund your Apple Cash. Your existing Apple Cash balance stays in your Wallet and doesn't move; only future money in and out uses the new bank account. If you're removing your old account because you closed that bank, you can delete it from the same Card Settings menu once the new one is verified.
Key Takeaways
- You change your linked bank account through Wallet app settings, not through your bank or Apple's website.
- Apple verifies new accounts with two small test deposits that arrive within one to three business days.
- Your existing Apple Cash balance stays put; only new transfers use the newly linked account.
- You can keep multiple bank accounts linked to Apple Cash and choose which one to use for each transfer.
- Removing an old account is safe once the new one is verified, and doesn't affect money already in your Apple Cash.
Why you might need to change your linked account
The most common reason is switching banks—you closed an old account and opened a new one, so the old routing and account numbers no longer work. Apple Cash won't let you transfer money to a closed account, and any attempt to top up from that account will fail. Changing the link is faster than troubleshooting failed transfers.
You might also change accounts if you want to move Apple Cash funding to a different account at the same bank (say, from checking to savings), or if you opened a new account at your current bank and want to use that one instead. Some people link multiple accounts and switch between them depending on which one has available funds.
Step-by-step: entering your new bank details
After you tap Change Bank Account, you'll see a form asking for your bank's routing number and your account number. The routing number is a nine-digit code specific to your bank; you can find it on a check, in your bank's app, or by calling the bank's customer service line. The account number is the one tied to the specific checking or savings account you want to link.
Enter both numbers carefully—a typo in either one will cause verification to fail. Apple will show you the last four digits of the account number once you've entered it, so you can double-check before confirming. After you submit, Apple sends two deposits (usually under $1 each) to that account within one to three business days. You'll see them in your bank's transaction history.
Once the deposits arrive, go back to Card Settings and tap Verify Bank Account. You'll enter the exact amounts of those two deposits—Apple needs to confirm you have access to the account. After you enter them correctly, the account is verified and active immediately.
What happens if verification fails
If you enter the wrong amounts when verifying, Apple will tell you and let you try again. You have multiple attempts, so a single mistake doesn't lock you out. If you can't find the deposits in your bank account after three business days, the account information you entered was likely wrong—a typo in the routing number or account number, or an account that doesn't exist.
If that happens, go back to Card Settings, tap Change Bank Account again, and re-enter the information. Double-check the routing number against your bank's official website or app, not a search result. If you're still having trouble, contact your bank's customer service to confirm your routing number and account number are correct before trying again in Apple Wallet.
In rare cases, your bank may block the verification deposits as suspicious activity. If you don't see them after four business days, call your bank and ask whether they flagged transactions from Apple. You may need to approve the deposits or whitelist Apple as a trusted sender before trying again.
Removing your old bank account safely
Once your new account is verified and active, you can delete the old one. Go to Card Settings, scroll to Linked Bank Account, and tap Edit. You'll see all linked accounts; tap the red minus sign next to the old one and confirm the deletion. The old account is removed from Apple Cash immediately.
It's safe to delete an old account as soon as the new one is verified, because Apple Cash doesn't store money in your bank account—it stores it in your Wallet. Deleting the link just prevents future transfers to or from that account. Any money already in your Apple Cash balance stays there and isn't affected.
If you closed the bank account itself, you must change the linked account before the bank closes it, or you won't be able to remove it from Apple Cash. If you're past that point, contact Apple Support and explain that the linked account no longer exists; they can remove it for you.
Keeping multiple accounts linked
Apple Cash lets you link more than one bank account at the same time. This is useful if you have checking and savings at the same bank and want to fund Apple Cash from whichever has money available, or if you have accounts at two different banks. Each account appears in your Card Settings under Linked Bank Account.
When you transfer money from your bank to Apple Cash, you choose which linked account to pull from. When you transfer money out of Apple Cash to your bank, Apple sends it to whichever account you select. You can change which account is your default, or simply pick a different one each time you make a transfer.
If you're linking a second account, follow the same verification process: enter the routing and account numbers, wait for the two test deposits, then enter their amounts to verify. Once verified, both accounts are active and you can switch between them whenever you need to.
Timing and what to expect during the change
The entire process typically takes three to five business days from start to finish. Entering your new account information is instant, but the verification deposits take one to three business days to arrive. Once they're in your bank account, verification itself is instant—you enter the amounts and the account is active right away.
During the waiting period, your old linked account still works if you need to transfer money. You don't have to wait for verification to complete before using Apple Cash; you just can't use the new account until it's verified. If you need to move money urgently, use the old account while the new one is being verified.
After verification is complete, you can delete the old account whenever you're ready. There's no deadline—you can keep both linked for as long as you want, or remove the old one immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my linked account if I have a pending transfer?
Yes. Pending transfers use the account that was linked when you initiated the transfer, so changing your linked account now won't affect a transfer that's already in progress. Once the pending transfer completes, future transfers will use your new linked account.
What if I don't see the verification deposits after three days?
Check your bank account's transaction history carefully—they're usually under $1 and easy to miss. If you genuinely don't see them after four business days, the account information you entered was incorrect. Contact your bank to confirm your routing number and account number, then try linking the account again in Apple Wallet.
Do I lose my Apple Cash balance if I change my bank account?
No. Your Apple Cash balance lives in your Wallet, not in your bank account. Changing which bank account is linked only affects where money comes from when you top up, and where it goes when you transfer out. Your existing balance is unaffected.
Can I link a savings account instead of checking?
Yes. Apple Cash works with both checking and savings accounts. Enter the routing number for your bank and the account number for whichever account you want to use. Transfers may take slightly longer from savings accounts because some banks process them differently, but the linking process is the same.
What happens to my old account if I close it at the bank?
You should remove it from Apple Cash before the bank closes it. If the bank closes the account while it's still linked, you won't be able to delete it from Card Settings. Contact Apple Support and they can remove the dead link for you, but it's easier to delete it yourself while the account still exists.