How to unlink your bank account from Plaid

You unlink your bank account from Plaid by going into the app or website where you connected it — not through Plaid itself. Plaid is a middleman that sits between your bank and other services (tax software, budgeting apps, investment platforms). When you disconnect, you're telling that app to stop using Plaid to access your bank data. The process takes about two minutes and stops all future data sharing immediately.

The exact steps depend on which app you used Plaid to connect with. If you linked Plaid to TurboTax, you go into TurboTax settings. If you linked it to a budgeting app like Mint or YNAB, you go into that app's settings. Plaid itself has no "disconnect all" button — each connection is managed separately by the app that asked for it.

Key Takeaways

  • You disconnect Plaid through the app where you connected it, not through Plaid's own website or app.
  • Unlinking stops that specific app from accessing your bank data, but does not affect other apps that may also use Plaid.
  • The process is immediate — the app loses access to your bank information as soon as you confirm the disconnection.
  • If you cannot find the disconnect option in an app's settings, contact that app's support team, because the location varies widely.

Where to find the disconnect option in common apps

Most apps that use Plaid put the disconnect option in Settings or Account Settings, usually under a heading like "Connected Accounts," "Bank Connections," or "Linked Accounts." Look for your bank name or Plaid's name listed there.

In tax software like TurboTax or H&R Block, the option is usually under "Bank Connections" or "Import Bank Data" in the settings menu. In budgeting apps like YNAB or EveryDollar, it's typically under "Accounts" or "Connected Accounts." Investment apps like Robinhood or Wealthfront put it in Account Settings. If you see your bank listed with a connected status, there should be a button or menu option to disconnect or remove it.

Some apps use different language — you might see "Remove," "Disconnect," "Unlink," or "Delete Connection." All of these do the same thing. If you're unsure whether you've found the right place, look for text that says "Plaid" or your bank's name alongside a status like "Connected" or "Active."

What happens immediately after you unlink

The app stops accessing your bank account data right away. If the app was set to automatically import transactions or pull your balance, that stops. You will no longer see real-time updates from your bank in that app.

Unlinking does not delete the historical data the app already downloaded — transactions you already imported will stay in the app unless you manually delete them. It also does not affect your actual bank account. Your bank account itself remains open and unchanged; you're only cutting off one app's permission to view it.

If you later want to reconnect the same app to your bank, you can do so by going through the connection process again. You'll need to re-enter your bank login credentials or re-authorize Plaid, depending on how the app handles it.

Unlinking one app does not affect other Plaid connections

If you use Plaid with multiple apps — say, TurboTax and a budgeting app and an investment platform — disconnecting from one does not touch the others. Each connection is separate. You have to unlink each app individually if you want to stop all of them.

To see all your active Plaid connections at once, you can log into your Plaid account directly at plaid.com and go to your account settings. Plaid shows you a list of all apps currently connected to your bank. From there you can disconnect any of them, though most people find it easier to disconnect through each individual app's settings.

If you cannot find the disconnect option

Start by searching the app's help documentation or FAQ for "disconnect," "unlink," or "remove bank." Many apps have a support article explaining exactly where the button is. If the app has a search function in its settings menu, try searching for "Plaid" or your bank's name.

If you still cannot find it, contact the app's support team directly. Tell them you want to disconnect your bank account that you linked through Plaid. They can either walk you through the steps or do it for you. Response time varies — some apps answer within hours, others within a few business days.

In rare cases, an older app or a discontinued service may not have a working disconnect option. If that happens, you can revoke Plaid's access through your bank's own settings instead. Log into your bank's website or app, look for "Connected Apps" or "Third-Party Access" in security or privacy settings, find Plaid listed there, and remove it. This stops Plaid from accessing that bank account across all apps.

Revoking Plaid access directly from your bank

Most major banks let you see and remove Plaid's access without going through the app. Log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for a settings section labeled "Connected Apps," "Third-Party Access," "Authorized Apps," or "Security." The exact name varies by bank.

Once you find it, you should see Plaid listed along with any other apps you've authorized. Click or tap to remove Plaid. This revokes access immediately and affects all apps using Plaid to connect to that bank account — so use this method only if you want to disconnect Plaid everywhere at once.

Some banks make this harder to find than others. If you cannot locate it after checking the main settings menu, try searching the bank's help center for "connected apps" or "third-party access," or call the bank's customer service line. They can walk you through it or remove the connection for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does unlinking Plaid from one app disconnect it from all my apps?

No. Each app connection is separate. If you unlink Plaid from your tax software, it stays connected to your budgeting app and any other services using it. You have to disconnect each app individually, or revoke Plaid's access through your bank's settings to disconnect it everywhere at once.

Will my bank account be affected if I unlink Plaid?

No. Your bank account stays open and active. Unlinking only stops that app from viewing your account data through Plaid. Your money, account number, and all bank services remain unchanged.

Can I reconnect the same app to my bank after unlinking?

Yes. You can reconnect anytime by going through the connection process again in that app's settings. You'll need to re-authorize Plaid or re-enter your bank login, depending on how the app handles it.

What if I unlink Plaid but the app still shows my bank data?

The app may be showing cached or previously downloaded data. Real-time updates will stop, but historical transactions may remain until you manually delete them. If the app is still actively pulling new data after you unlinked, contact the app's support team — something may not have disconnected properly.

Is it safer to unlink through the app or through my bank?

Both are equally safe. Unlinking through the app is faster if you only want to disconnect one service. Revoking access through your bank is faster if you want to disconnect Plaid from everything at once. Either way, Plaid loses access immediately.