How to Link Your Bank Account to Your PayPal Account

Written by Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: November 12, 2023

Linking your bank account to your PayPal account allows you to send money online from your bank, just like using a debit card or writing a check. And if someone sends you money through PayPal, you’ll be able to move it right into your bank account. You can link either a savings or checking account to PayPal using the mobile app or at PayPal.com.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using the Mobile App

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1
Launch the PayPal app. You can link your bank account to your PayPal account to easily send and receive money on the Internet.
- You must have a PayPal account and the Android or iOS app installed to link your bank account with this method.
- No matter which bank you use, you’ll have to wait 2-3 business days before your account is verified. This is different than the web version, which has an automatic linking option for some major banks.
Enter your email address and password when prompted and then tap “Log In.” Once you’re logged in, you’ll see your PayPal profile.

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This icon is at the top right corner of the screen. Once tapped, you’ll see a menu containing several options.
Now you’ll see the “Banks and Cards” screen, where you can add and remove cards and bank accounts.
Now you’ll see the “Link a Bank” screen.
Tap the word “Type” and choose either “Checking” or “Savings” from the menu.
7
Enter your account information. Type your routing number and bank account number into the provided blanks. Find this information in your bank statement, or look at a check.
- The routing number is the first set of 9 numbers printed at the bottom of each check.
- Your account number is the second set of numbers on your check and is 3-17 numbers long.
In 2-3 days, PayPal will deposit two small amounts between $.01 and $.99 into your bank account to verify that your account info is correct. Once these deposits appear in your account, you’ll be ready to confirm your bank account with PayPal.^{[1]
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9
Check your bank account in 2-3 business days. When you see the two small deposits from PayPal, you’ll be ready to confirm your account online.
- These deposits are temporary and will be removed by PayPal shortly after verification.
Once you’ve received the two small deposits, launch the PayPal app and sign in to your account.
The Settings menu will expand.
You will see the new unconfirmed bank account listed here.
Have the two small deposit amounts prepared, as you will be entering them in just a moment.
Make sure you enter them exactly as they appeared in your account.
This bank account is now linked to PayPal. Now you can use it to send and receive money online.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using PayPal.com

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Open PayPal in a web browser. Once you’ve set up a PayPal account, link your bank account to easily send and receive money.
You’ll find this link at the upper right corner of the PayPal website.
Once your username and password are accepted, you’ll see your PayPal dashboard.
Your PayPal wallet is where all of your payment methods are stored.^{[2]
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Now is a good time to get your bank account information ready to give to PayPal.
6
Select your bank. You’ll see a list of several major banks from which to choose. If the account you want to link is with any of these banks, click its name. Otherwise, click “I have a different bank.”
- If your bank is listed on this page, you’ll be able to link your account instantly without having to type your account and routing numbers.
7
Sign in to your bank’s online banking website. If you chose a bank from the list, you’ll be redirected to a site that asks for your bank’s online banking login information.^{[3]
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- Type your username and password and then click “Link Bank Instantly.”
- Follow the prompts to link your account with PayPal.
- PayPal will not store your username and password—it’ll just use it this one time to gather your account information.
8
Enter your bank account details. If you clicked “I have a different bank,” you’ll see the “Link Bank Account” screen.
- Click “Checking” or “Savings” to chose the type of account to link.
- Type the routing number and account number into the provided fields. You can find this information printed at the bottom of your checks or in your account statement.
- Click the “Agree and Link” button.
9
Check your bank account in 2-3 business days. If you entered your bank account information manually, PayPal will try to make two small deposits between $.01 and $.99. Once these deposits appear in your account, you’ll be ready to confirm your bank account with PayPal.^{[4]
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- These deposits are temporary and will be removed by PayPal soon after verification.
Once you see the two small deposits from PayPal, log back in to PayPal and click the “Wallet” link.
Now you’ll see a screen with two blanks for entering the deposit amounts.^{[5]
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Once you submit the correct information, your bank account will be linked to your PayPal account. You can send and receiving money with this account right away.

Community Q&A

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Question

Can only American bank accounts be linked to my PayPal account?

Roger van piggelen

Community Answer

No, I am in Canada and once linked my Canadian bank account to PayPal.

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Can I link a PayPal account to a Ghana bank account?

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Yes, PayPal is worldwide.

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What do I do if I only have a debit card?

Community Answer

You can add the (pre-paid) debit card in the same way as you add a credit card (as long as the debit card is from AMEX, Mastercard, Visa, or Discover only). If you have a giro card, just link the bank account associated with it.

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In some areas, you can sign up for a PayPal debit card to use your PayPal balance at any retailer.

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You can use your bank account with PayPal to send and receive money to friends and family without having to pay fees.

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