Connect your bank account in three steps

To link your bank account to PayPal, you log into your PayPal 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 live and you can send money, receive payments, and withdraw funds.

The whole process takes about five minutes to start, but the account won't be fully active until you verify the deposits—usually three to five business days after you link it. Until then, you can still use PayPal with a debit or credit card, but you won't be able to move money directly from your bank.

Key Takeaways

  • PayPal sends two small test deposits (usually under $1 each) to verify your bank account is real and belongs to you.
  • You must confirm the exact amounts of those deposits in your PayPal account before the link is complete.
  • The entire verification process takes three to five business days, not including weekends or holidays.
  • Once linked, you can transfer money from PayPal to your bank account, which typically arrives within one to three business days.
  • If you enter your routing or account number wrong, the deposits will fail and you'll need to start over with the correct numbers.

What information you need before you start

Have your bank account details ready. You'll need your routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies your bank) and your account number (the number printed on your checks or visible in your online banking). Both appear on the bottom left of a paper check, or you can find them by logging into your bank's website or app.

Make sure the name on your PayPal account matches the name on your bank account exactly. If your bank account is under "James Robert Smith" but your PayPal is under "Jim Smith," the verification will fail. You can update your PayPal name before linking if needed.

You'll also need access to the email address or phone number associated with your PayPal account, because PayPal will send you a notification when the test deposits arrive.

The step-by-step process

Step 1: Log in and navigate to Wallet. Go to PayPal.com, log into your account, and click Wallet in the top menu. On mobile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and select Wallet.

Step 2: Select Link a bank account. In your Wallet, look for the option to add a bank account. The exact wording varies slightly depending on whether you're on desktop or mobile, but it will say something like Link a bank account or Add bank account. Click or tap it.

Step 3: Enter your bank details. PayPal will ask for your routing number and account number. Enter both carefully—a single digit wrong means the deposits won't go through. Some users can also connect by signing into their bank directly through PayPal's secure portal, which auto-fills the numbers and is faster if your bank is supported.

Step 4: Wait for the test deposits. PayPal sends two small deposits (usually $0.01 to $0.99 each) to your bank account within one to two business days. Check your bank account online or in your app to see the amounts. They'll appear as deposits from PayPal with a reference code.

Step 5: Confirm the amounts in PayPal. Once you see the deposits in your bank account, go back to PayPal and enter the exact amounts of both deposits. PayPal will verify them, and your account will be fully linked.

What happens if the deposits don't arrive

If you don't see the test deposits after five business days, the routing or account number you entered was likely wrong. Log back into PayPal, go to your bank account settings, and check what you entered. Compare it to your actual bank details—even a transposed digit will cause the deposits to fail.

If the numbers are correct, contact your bank directly. Ask whether PayPal deposits are being blocked or filtered. Some banks flag small deposits from unfamiliar sources as suspicious, or they may have restrictions on receiving ACH transfers from certain companies. Your bank can tell you whether the deposits were rejected and why.

Once you've fixed the issue, you can unlink the failed account in PayPal and start the process again with the correct information.

Moving money from PayPal to your bank

Once your bank account is linked and verified, you can transfer money from your PayPal balance to your bank. Go to Wallet, select your bank account, and choose Transfer to bank. Enter the amount and confirm. The money typically arrives within one to three business days, depending on your bank.

PayPal does not charge a fee for standard transfers to your bank account. However, if you choose an instant transfer (available in some regions), PayPal charges a small percentage of the amount you're moving—usually 1% with a minimum fee of $0.25.

You can only transfer money that's actually in your PayPal balance. If you receive a payment via PayPal and it's still pending (not yet cleared), you won't be able to transfer it until the hold lifts, which is usually one to three business days.

Security and what to watch for

Never share your routing number or account number with anyone except PayPal through its official website or app. Scammers sometimes pose as PayPal support and ask for these details via email or text—PayPal will never ask for them that way.

If you see unauthorized transactions in your bank account after linking it to PayPal, contact your bank immediately. Your bank has fraud protection rules that may cover unauthorized ACH transfers, though the timeline for investigation and refund varies by bank.

Review your PayPal transaction history regularly. If you spot a transfer you didn't make, report it to PayPal through the Resolution Center within 180 days. PayPal's Buyer Protection and Seller Protection do not cover transfers to your own bank account, but your bank's fraud department can still investigate.

Unlinking or changing your bank account

If you want to remove a bank account from PayPal, go to Wallet, find the account, and select Remove or Unlink. You can link a different bank account at any time. There's no waiting period or penalty for switching banks.

If you've closed the bank account that's linked to PayPal, unlink it from PayPal before the account closure is final. If PayPal tries to process a transfer to a closed account, the money will be returned to your PayPal balance, but it may take several days.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to link a bank account to PayPal?

The initial link takes about five minutes, but full verification takes three to five business days because PayPal must send and receive the test deposits. You can use PayPal with a debit or credit card during this time, but you can't transfer money to or from your bank until verification is complete.

Can I link multiple bank accounts to PayPal?

Yes. You can link more than one bank account to a single PayPal account. Each one must go through the verification process separately. You can choose which account to transfer to when you withdraw money.

What if my bank account name doesn't match my PayPal name exactly?

The names must match for verification to succeed. If they don't, update your PayPal name first, or contact your bank to confirm what name is on file. Some banks list accounts under a shortened version of a name, which can cause a mismatch.

Do I need a checking account, or can I link a savings account?

You can link either a checking or savings account. PayPal works with both. Make sure you have the correct routing number for the account type you're linking—some banks use different routing numbers for checking and savings.

What if I entered the wrong routing number and the deposits failed?

Unlink the failed account in PayPal and start over with the correct routing number. The test deposits that failed will not be refunded, but they're typically less than $1 combined. You'll need to wait for new deposits to arrive before you can verify the corrected account.