What confirming your bank account means and why PayPal requires it
Confirming your bank account on PayPal means proving to PayPal that you own the account you linked. PayPal does this by sending two small deposits (usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each) to your bank account, then asking you to tell PayPal the exact amounts. Once you enter those amounts correctly, your account moves from "linked" to "confirmed," and you unlock the full range of PayPal features.
PayPal requires this step because it protects both you and them. A confirmed account means you can withdraw money to that bank account, send larger peer-to-peer transfers, and use PayPal for online shopping with fewer restrictions. Without confirmation, PayPal limits how much you can send and receive, and you cannot withdraw funds at all.
The confirmation process takes a few days to a week because the deposits have to travel through the banking system. You cannot speed this up, but you can start it immediately after linking your account.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal sends two small test deposits to your bank account; you log into PayPal and enter the exact amounts to confirm ownership.
- The deposits usually arrive within three to five business days, though timing depends on your bank's processing speed.
- Once confirmed, you can withdraw money to that account and send larger transfers without PayPal's sending limits.
- If deposits do not arrive after a week, contact your bank first to check if they are pending or blocked; PayPal can resend them if your bank lost them.
How to link your bank account before confirmation begins
Before PayPal can send test deposits, you need to link your bank account. Open PayPal on a web browser or the mobile app, go to your Wallet or Account Settings, and select "Link a Bank Account." PayPal will ask for your routing number and account number—both appear on the bottom left of a check, or you can find them by logging into your bank's website.
Enter your account type (checking or savings), your full name as it appears on the account, and confirm the routing and account numbers twice. PayPal will then tell you that your account is linked but not yet confirmed, and it will show you a status message saying the test deposits are on the way.
Do not close this screen or navigate away immediately. Write down or screenshot the confirmation number PayPal shows you, because you may need it if something goes wrong. Your bank account is now in PayPal's system, and the two test deposits should leave PayPal's bank within one business day.
When the test deposits arrive and how to find them
The two deposits usually show up in your bank account within three to five business days. The exact timing depends on your bank's processing speed and whether you linked your account on a weekend or holiday. Check your bank account online or through your bank's mobile app—do not wait for a paper statement, because confirmation cannot wait that long.
The deposits will appear as small transactions from PayPal or a PayPal-related company name. Look for amounts like $0.05 and $0.17, or $0.01 and $0.02—the exact amounts vary. Your bank may label them as "PayPal" or "PYPL" in the transaction description. If you have set up alerts on your bank account, you may receive a notification when they post.
If more than a week has passed and you do not see the deposits, log into your bank account and search the transaction history for "PayPal" or "PYPL." Sometimes deposits post but do not show up in the main balance view immediately. If you still cannot find them after checking thoroughly, contact your bank's customer service and ask whether the deposits were blocked or rejected. Some banks flag small transfers as suspicious and hold them.
Entering the deposit amounts to confirm your account
Once you see the two deposits in your bank account, go back to PayPal. On the web, click your name or profile icon in the top right, select Account Settings, then go to Wallet or Bank Accounts. You should see your linked account with a button or link that says "Confirm" or "Verify Bank Account." On the mobile app, go to your profile, tap Wallet, find your bank account, and look for a confirmation prompt.
PayPal will ask you to enter the two deposit amounts in the exact order they appear. If the deposits were $0.05 and $0.17, enter them in that order—do not guess or round. You have a limited number of attempts (usually three) before PayPal locks you out temporarily. If you enter the amounts wrong, wait 24 hours and try again.
After you enter both amounts correctly, PayPal will confirm your account immediately. You will see a message saying your bank account is now verified or confirmed. The two test deposits will stay in your bank account—PayPal does not pull them back out.
What to do if the test deposits never arrive
If a week has passed and you still do not see the deposits, the problem is usually on your bank's side, not PayPal's. Start by calling your bank's customer service line and asking whether deposits from PayPal were received or blocked. Give them the date range when you linked the account and ask them to search for any pending or rejected transactions from PayPal or PYPL.
Some banks block small transfers automatically as a fraud prevention measure, especially if you have never received money from PayPal before. If your bank blocked the deposits, ask them to allow PayPal transfers going forward. Then go back to PayPal and request that the test deposits be sent again. PayPal can resend them, and this time your bank should accept them.
If your bank says they never received the deposits at all, log into PayPal and check that you entered your routing and account numbers correctly. A single digit wrong will send the deposits to the wrong account. If you made a mistake, delete the linked account and link it again with the correct information. PayPal will send new test deposits.
What you can do once your account is confirmed
A confirmed bank account unlocks several features. You can now withdraw money from your PayPal balance to that bank account—transfers usually take one to three business days. You can send larger peer-to-peer transfers to other PayPal users without hitting PayPal's sending limits. You can also use PayPal for online shopping and receive payments if you sell items or offer services.
If you want to add a second bank account later, you will need to confirm that one too. PayPal will send new test deposits to the second account, and you will repeat the same confirmation process. You can have multiple confirmed bank accounts linked to one PayPal account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I confirm my account without a bank account?
No. PayPal requires a confirmed bank account to withdraw money or send large transfers. If you do not have a bank account, you can link a debit card instead, but this has lower limits and does not unlock all PayPal features. A bank account is the most reliable way to use PayPal fully.
What if I entered the deposit amounts wrong and now I am locked out?
PayPal temporarily locks you out after three incorrect attempts. Wait 24 hours, then try again. If you cannot remember the exact amounts, log into your bank account and look at the two PayPal deposits again. Write down the amounts before you enter them into PayPal.
Do the test deposits stay in my bank account?
Yes. Once you confirm your account, the two small deposits are yours to keep. PayPal does not withdraw them. You can spend them or leave them there—they are just regular deposits to your account.
How long does confirmation usually take?
The deposits usually arrive within three to five business days. Once they arrive, confirmation is instant—you enter the amounts and PayPal confirms your account right away. The entire process typically takes one to two weeks from start to finish.
What if my bank account information changes?
If you close the bank account or switch banks, you need to link your new account to PayPal and confirm it the same way. You can delete the old account from PayPal anytime. If you want to keep using the old account, do not delete it—just link the new one alongside it.