Connect your bank account in three steps
To link a bank account to PayPal, you log into your account, go to Wallet, select Link a bank account, enter your routing number and account number, and confirm two small deposits PayPal sends to your bank within one to two business days. Once you confirm those amounts, the account is active and you can send money, receive payments, and transfer funds between PayPal and your bank.
The entire process takes about five minutes to start, but you cannot use the bank account for transfers until you verify the deposits—which means waiting for them to land and then entering the amounts PayPal shows you in the app or website.
Key Takeaways
- You need your bank's routing number and your account number to link; both appear on a check or in your bank's app.
- PayPal sends two small deposits (usually under $1 each) to verify the account is yours; you must confirm the amounts to complete the link.
- Verification takes one to two business days after you enter your account details, then another one to two days for the deposits to arrive.
- Once linked, you can transfer money from PayPal to your bank account, receive direct deposits, and use your bank account as a payment source.
- If you link a debit card instead of a bank account, transfers happen faster but you lose some fraud protections that come with ACH transfers.
What information you need before you start
Gather your bank account details before you open PayPal. You will need your routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies your bank) and your account number (the unique number for your specific account). Both appear on the bottom left of any check you have, or you can find them in your bank's mobile app under account details or settings.
Have your login credentials ready too. If you have not used PayPal in a while, you may need to reset your password or verify your identity with a code sent to your email or phone. Some banks also require you to confirm the link from their side—usually through a notification in their app or a call to their fraud line—so keep your phone nearby.
The step-by-step process to add your bank account
Step 1: Log in and navigate to Wallet. Open PayPal on the web or in the app, sign in with your email and password, and tap or click Wallet at the top of the page. On mobile, it may appear as a menu icon or tab at the bottom.
Step 2: Select Link a bank account. Look for a button or link that says Link a bank account, Add bank account, or Connect bank. The exact wording varies by device and app version, but it will be in the Wallet section.
Step 3: Enter your account details. PayPal will ask for your routing number and account number. Type them carefully—a single digit wrong will cause verification to fail. You may also see a field for account type (checking or savings); select the correct one.
Step 4: Confirm your information. Review what you entered. PayPal will show you the last four digits of your account number and the name of your bank. If anything is wrong, go back and correct it before you proceed.
Step 5: Wait for verification deposits. PayPal sends two small deposits (usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each) to your bank account within one to two business days. Check your bank account online or in your app for these deposits. Write down the exact amounts.
Step 6: Confirm the deposit amounts in PayPal. Once the deposits arrive, go back to your PayPal Wallet, find the bank account you just linked, and look for a prompt to verify the deposits. Enter the two amounts you saw in your bank account. PayPal will confirm the link is complete, and you can now use that account to send and receive money.
How long the whole process takes
The initial setup—entering your account number and routing number—takes about five minutes. However, you cannot move money until PayPal's verification deposits arrive and you confirm them. That verification step typically takes three to four business days total: one to two days for PayPal to send the deposits, and another one to two days for your bank to post them.
If you are in a hurry to move money, you can link a debit card instead, which is instant. However, debit card transfers have lower fraud protections than ACH transfers from a linked bank account, and some PayPal features (like direct deposit of your paycheck) require a bank account, not a debit card.
Weekends and bank holidays add time. If you submit your account details on a Friday evening, the deposits may not arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday, pushing verification into the following week.
What happens if verification fails
If the amounts you enter do not match what PayPal sent, the link will not complete. PayPal will tell you the verification failed and give you the option to try again. Check your bank account statement carefully—sometimes deposits post under a different name or description than you expect, or they may appear in a separate pending section.
If you cannot find the deposits after three business days, contact your bank's customer service and ask whether the deposits from PayPal arrived. Provide them with the date range you submitted your account. If your bank says the deposits never arrived, go back to PayPal and try linking the account again. You may have entered a digit wrong, or your bank may have rejected the deposits for a security reason.
If you try three times and the deposits still do not arrive, PayPal's customer service can investigate. You can reach them through the Help Center in your account or by calling the number on the back of your PayPal debit card if you have one.
Using your linked bank account after verification
Once your bank account is verified, you can use it in several ways. You can transfer money from PayPal to your bank account (which takes one to three business days), use your bank account as a payment source when someone sends you a PayPal request, or set up direct deposit so your employer or a government agency pays you directly into your PayPal account, which then transfers to your bank.
You can also link multiple bank accounts to one PayPal account. If you have a checking account and a savings account, you can verify both and choose which one to transfer to each time. However, PayPal will send verification deposits to each account separately, so you will need to confirm both.
If you want to remove a bank account later, go to Wallet, find the account, and select Remove or Unlink. You can do this anytime, and it does not affect your PayPal balance or other linked payment methods.
Security and fraud protection for linked accounts
Linking a bank account through PayPal's verification process is safer than entering your account number on an unfamiliar website. PayPal uses the two-deposit method specifically to confirm you own the account—a scammer would not be able to complete the link without access to your actual bank account.
Once linked, transfers from PayPal to your bank use the ACH system, which has built-in fraud protections. If someone transfers money out of your PayPal account without your permission, you can dispute the transaction with PayPal, and they will investigate. If PayPal finds the transfer was unauthorized, they will return the money to your account.
Keep your PayPal password strong and enable two-factor authentication (a code sent to your phone or email when you log in from a new device). This prevents someone from linking a different bank account to your PayPal without your knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a savings account instead of a checking account?
Yes. When PayPal asks for your account type, select Savings if that is what you have. The verification process is identical. However, some banks limit how many transfers you can make from a savings account per month, so check your bank's rules before you set up regular transfers.
What if I do not have checks and cannot find my routing number?
Log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for account details, account information, or settings. Your routing number and account number are usually listed there. You can also call your bank's customer service line (the number is on the back of your debit card) and ask them to provide both numbers.
Do I have to wait for the verification deposits if I link a debit card instead?
Yes, but differently. Debit cards do not require PayPal to send deposits—they are verified instantly. However, debit card transfers to your bank account take longer (up to five business days) and have lower fraud protection than ACH transfers from a linked bank account.
What if PayPal sends the deposits but my bank rejects them?
This can happen if your bank flags small deposits as suspicious or if your account has restrictions. Contact your bank and ask why the deposits were rejected. Once you resolve it with your bank, you can try linking the account again in PayPal. The verification deposits are free and will not cost you anything.
Can someone else link my bank account to their PayPal?
No. They would need your routing number, account number, and access to your bank account to confirm the verification deposits. If someone tries to link your account without permission, the deposits will go to your bank, and you will see them. Do not confirm the amounts in PayPal if you did not authorize the link, and contact PayPal's fraud team immediately.