How to remove a bank account from PayPal
You can remove a bank account from PayPal in your account settings in about two minutes. Go to your PayPal account, select Wallet, find the bank account you want to remove, and click the delete or remove option next to it. PayPal will ask you to confirm; once you do, the account is disconnected and PayPal can no longer pull money from it or send money to it.
The account removal is immediate on PayPal's end. However, if you have a pending transfer to that bank account, it will still go through — PayPal cannot cancel a transfer that has already left their system. If you have an active subscription or automatic payment set to that bank account, you will need to update or cancel that separately, or PayPal will try to charge an alternate payment method on file.
Key Takeaways
- Removing a bank account from PayPal takes two minutes and happens instantly, but pending transfers will still complete.
- If you have automatic payments or subscriptions tied to that bank account, you must update or cancel them separately or PayPal will charge another payment method.
- You can add the same bank account back later if you change your mind, but you will need to verify it again.
- Removing a bank account does not affect your PayPal balance or your ability to send and receive money through other methods.
Steps to remove a bank account on the PayPal website
Log into your PayPal account on a computer or mobile browser. Click Wallet in the left menu (on mobile, tap the menu icon first, then Wallet). You will see a list of all payment methods linked to your account — credit cards, debit cards, and bank accounts.
Find the bank account you want to remove. It will show the bank name and the last four digits of the account number. Click or tap the three dots or menu icon next to it, then select Remove or Delete. PayPal will ask you to confirm the removal. Click Yes, remove it or the equivalent button. The account is now disconnected.
Steps to remove a bank account in the PayPal app
Open the PayPal app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right. Tap Wallet. Scroll to find the bank account you want to remove and tap it to open the details.
Tap the menu icon (three dots) in the top right corner of the account details screen. Select Remove or Delete this account. Confirm the removal when prompted. The account will be removed from your wallet immediately.
What happens to pending transfers when you remove a bank account
If you have already initiated a transfer to that bank account and it has left PayPal's system, the transfer will complete even after you remove the account. PayPal cannot recall money that has been sent to your bank. This typically takes one to three business days depending on your bank.
If you remove a bank account and then try to send money to it, PayPal will not let you — the account is no longer linked. If you need to send money to that account again, you will have to add it back and verify it, which takes a few minutes.
Updating automatic payments before you remove a bank account
Before you remove a bank account, check whether any subscriptions, recurring payments, or bills are set to charge that account. If they are, you have two options: cancel the subscription or payment, or update it to charge a different payment method on file.
To find active subscriptions, go to Settings (gear icon), then Payments, then Manage automatic payments. You will see a list of all merchants and services that charge your PayPal account on a regular basis. Click each one to see which payment method it uses. If it is set to the bank account you are removing, click Update payment method and choose a different card or bank account, or click Cancel to stop the subscription.
If you remove a bank account without updating automatic payments, PayPal will attempt to charge another payment method on file. If no other method is available, the payment will fail and the merchant may charge you a late fee or suspend your service.
Adding the same bank account back later
You can add a bank account back to PayPal at any time, even if you just removed it. However, you will need to verify it again. PayPal will send two small deposits (usually under $1 each) to the account within one to two business days. You will then need to log into PayPal and enter the amounts of those deposits to confirm you own the account.
This verification process takes a few days. If you need to use that bank account for transfers right away, consider keeping it linked and simply not using it, or adding a different payment method instead.
Why you might want to remove a bank account
Common reasons to remove a bank account include closing the account at your bank, switching to a different bank, reducing the number of linked accounts for security reasons, or preventing accidental charges to an old account you no longer use.
Removing an account does not affect your PayPal balance. Money in your PayPal account stays there; you are only disconnecting the link between PayPal and that specific bank account. You can still send and receive money through PayPal using other payment methods or by keeping a balance in your PayPal wallet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will removing a bank account affect my PayPal balance?
No. Your PayPal balance is separate from your linked bank accounts. Removing a bank account only disconnects the link; it does not touch any money in your PayPal wallet. You can still use that balance to send money or make purchases.
What if I remove a bank account by mistake?
You can add it back immediately by going to Wallet and selecting Add a bank account. You will need to verify it again with the two small deposits PayPal sends, which takes one to two business days. Until then, you cannot transfer money to or from that account.
Can I remove a bank account if I have a pending transfer to it?
Yes, you can remove it, but the pending transfer will still go through. PayPal cannot stop a transfer once it has left their system. The money will arrive in your bank account within one to three business days.
Do I need to remove a bank account before closing my bank account?
You do not have to, but it is a good idea. If you close your bank account and forget to remove it from PayPal, any future transfers or automatic payments to that account will fail. Removing it first prevents confusion and failed charges.
Can someone else remove my bank account from PayPal?
Only you can remove a bank account from your PayPal account. If someone else has access to your PayPal login, they could remove it, which is why you should use a strong, unique password and enable two-factor authentication on your account.