Zelle is built into Bank of America's mobile app and website
Bank of America customers can send and receive money through Zelle without downloading a separate app. Zelle appears as a tab or menu option in the Bank of America mobile app and on the website when you log in. You send money using someone's email address or U.S. mobile phone number, and the transfer typically lands in their account within minutes—though it can take up to three business days depending on the receiving bank.
The service is free for Bank of America customers. There are no fees to send or receive money, and you do not need to know the recipient's bank account number or routing number. You only need their contact information and their permission to send them money.
Key Takeaways
- Open Zelle in the Bank of America app or website by logging into your account and finding the Zelle tab or transfer menu.
- You can send money to anyone with a U.S. email address or mobile phone number, and they do not need to be a Bank of America customer.
- Most transfers arrive within minutes, but allow up to three business days if the receiving bank processes transfers slowly.
- Bank of America does not charge fees for Zelle transfers, but you are responsible for sending money only to people you trust.
- If you send money to the wrong person or suspect fraud, contact Bank of America immediately—recovery is possible only if the recipient has not yet claimed the funds.
How to send money through Zelle on the Bank of America app
Open the Bank of America mobile app and log in with your username and password. Look for the Zelle tab or icon, usually located near the top of the screen or in the main menu. Tap it to open Zelle.
Select "Send Money" or the equivalent option. Enter the recipient's email address or U.S. mobile phone number. If you have sent to this person before, their name may appear in your recent contacts. Review the name and contact information to make sure it is correct—this is your last chance to catch a mistake before the money moves.
Enter the dollar amount you want to send. Bank of America does not publish a per-transaction limit, but most banks set limits between $500 and $2,000 per transfer. If you try to send more than your limit allows, the app will tell you. Tap "Send" or "Confirm" to complete the transfer.
You will receive a confirmation number. The recipient will receive a notification at the email address or phone number you used. If they are already enrolled in Zelle with their bank, the money will arrive in their account within minutes. If they are not yet enrolled, they will see instructions to claim the funds, which may take up to three business days.
How to send money through Zelle on the Bank of America website
Log into your Bank of America account at bankofamerica.com. Look for the Zelle link or tab, usually in the main navigation menu or under "Transfers & Payments." Click it to open Zelle.
Click "Send Money." Enter the recipient's email address or U.S. mobile phone number in the field provided. Double-check the name and contact information before proceeding.
Enter the amount you want to send and add a note if you want the recipient to know what the transfer is for. Click "Send" or "Confirm." You will see a confirmation number on the screen and in your email. The recipient will receive a notification and instructions for claiming the funds if they are not yet enrolled in Zelle.
What happens when the recipient is not yet enrolled in Zelle
If you send money to someone who does not yet have Zelle set up with their bank, the funds do not arrive immediately. Instead, the recipient receives a notification—by email or text, depending on which contact method you used—with instructions to claim the money.
The recipient must enroll in Zelle through their own bank's app or website and then claim the pending transfer. This process usually takes a few minutes, but can take up to three business days depending on their bank. Once they claim the funds, the money moves into their account.
If the recipient does not claim the funds within 14 days, the transfer is cancelled and the money returns to your Bank of America account automatically. You do not need to do anything; the reversal happens on its own.
How to receive money through Zelle
To receive money through Zelle, you must enroll first. In the Bank of America app or website, open Zelle and select "Receive Money" or "Enroll." Enter your email address or U.S. mobile phone number—or both—that you want people to use to send you money. Bank of America will verify your identity and confirm your enrollment, usually within minutes.
Once you are enrolled, anyone can send you money using the email address or phone number you registered. You will receive a notification when someone sends you funds. The money will arrive in your Bank of America checking account within minutes in most cases.
You can enroll multiple email addresses or phone numbers, and you can change which account receives the money at any time. If you want to stop receiving money through Zelle, you can unenroll from the same menu where you enrolled.
What to do if you sent money to the wrong person
If you realize you sent money to the wrong email address or phone number, contact Bank of America immediately. Call the number on the back of your debit card or log into your account and use the message center. The sooner you report the error, the better your chances of recovery.
If the recipient has not yet claimed the funds, Bank of America may be able to cancel the transfer before it goes through. If the recipient has already claimed the money, your options are limited. Bank of America can contact the recipient's bank and request a reversal, but the recipient's bank is not required to comply. Recovery depends on whether the recipient cooperates and whether their bank will reverse the transaction.
Zelle transfers are intended to work like cash—once sent, they are difficult to recover. For this reason, always verify the recipient's contact information before you hit send. If you are sending money to someone you do not know well, consider using a different payment method that offers more fraud protection.
Zelle limits and daily transfer caps
Bank of America does not publicly state a specific per-transaction limit for Zelle, but most banks set limits between $500 and $2,000 per transfer. Your limit may be lower if you are a new customer or if you have a history of fraud on your account. If you try to send more than your limit allows, the app will reject the transfer and tell you the maximum amount you can send.
Daily limits also vary by bank. Some customers can send multiple transfers in a single day up to a total daily cap; others have a lower daily maximum. If you need to send a large amount, you may need to split it across multiple days or contact Bank of America to request a temporary increase to your limit.
These limits are set by Bank of America for fraud prevention. They do not change based on the recipient's bank or the time of day you send the transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send money through Zelle to someone outside the United States?
No. Zelle only works for transfers between U.S. bank accounts. Both the sender and recipient must have accounts at U.S. banks and use U.S. email addresses or phone numbers. If you need to send money internationally, you will need to use a wire transfer, international money transfer service, or your bank's international payment option.
What if the recipient's bank does not support Zelle?
If the recipient's bank does not participate in Zelle, they will not be able to claim the funds through Zelle. The transfer will remain pending for 14 days and then return to your account. Contact the recipient and ask which banks they have accounts with, or suggest they enroll in Zelle through a different bank if they have one.
Is Zelle safe, and what if my account is hacked?
Zelle itself does not store your bank account information—it only uses your email or phone number to route money. However, if someone gains access to your Bank of America account, they can send money from your account using Zelle. If you notice unauthorized transfers, contact Bank of America immediately. Depending on when you report the fraud, you may be protected under the Electronic Funds Transfer Act, which limits your liability for unauthorized transfers reported within 60 days.
Can I cancel a Zelle transfer after I send it?
If the recipient has not yet claimed the funds, Bank of America may be able to cancel the transfer. Contact them right away by phone or through your account. If the recipient has already claimed the money, cancellation is not possible, and recovery depends on the recipient's bank cooperating with a reversal request.
Why did my Zelle transfer take three days instead of arriving instantly?
Most Zelle transfers arrive within minutes, but delays can happen if the recipient's bank processes transfers slowly, if the transfer was sent on a weekend or holiday, or if the recipient has not yet enrolled in Zelle. If more than three business days have passed, contact Bank of America to check the status of the transfer.