You can remove a bank account from PayPal in your account settings, and it takes about two minutes
Log into PayPal on a web browser (the mobile app has limited options for this). Go to Wallet or Settings depending on your account type, find the bank account you want to remove, and select the delete or remove option. PayPal will ask you to confirm. Once you do, the account is disconnected from your PayPal profile immediately, though any pending transfers may still process.
Removing a bank account does not close your PayPal account or affect your transaction history. You can add a different bank account later if you need to. If you have money in your PayPal balance when you remove your only linked bank account, you will need to add a new one before you can transfer that money out.
Key Takeaways
- Removal happens instantly in your PayPal settings, but any transfers already in progress will complete even after you delete the account.
- If you have a PayPal balance and remove your only linked bank account, you cannot withdraw that money until you add a new bank account.
- Removing a bank account does not affect your PayPal balance, your ability to receive payments, or your transaction history.
- You can remove a bank account from the web version of PayPal; the mobile app does not always show this option.
Step-by-step removal on desktop
Open PayPal in a web browser and sign in. Click your name or profile icon in the top right corner, then select Settings. On the left side, click Wallet (or Banks and Cards depending on your account age). Find the bank account you want to remove and click the three dots or menu icon next to it. Select Remove or Delete. PayPal will show a confirmation message asking if you are sure. Click Confirm or Yes.
The account is now removed from your PayPal profile. You will no longer see it as an option when you transfer money or set up automatic payments. If you need to remove it again in the future, you will have to add it back first.
What happens to pending transfers
If you remove a bank account while a transfer to that account is in progress, the transfer will still complete. PayPal processes transfers in batches, and once a transfer has been submitted to your bank, removing the account from PayPal does not stop it. The money will arrive in your bank account on the normal timeline—usually one to three business days for standard transfers.
If you are trying to cancel a transfer before it leaves PayPal, you need to do that through your transaction history, not by removing the bank account. Go to Activity or History, find the pending transfer, and look for a Cancel button. You can only cancel transfers that have not yet been sent to your bank.
Removing your only linked bank account
If the bank account you are removing is the only one connected to your PayPal profile, you will lose the ability to transfer money out of your PayPal balance until you add a new one. Your PayPal balance itself does not disappear—it stays in your account. You just cannot access it without a linked bank account or another withdrawal method like a PayPal debit card.
Before you remove your only bank account, consider adding a replacement first. This way you maintain continuous access to your balance. If you have already removed it and now need to withdraw money, add a new bank account through the same Wallet or Banks and Cards section, and you can transfer immediately after it is verified.
Why you might want to remove a bank account
The most common reason is security: if your bank account information has been compromised or you suspect fraud, removing it from PayPal stops anyone with access to your PayPal account from using that bank account for transfers. Removing it does not undo any fraudulent transfers that already happened, but it prevents future ones.
You might also remove an account if you closed that bank account, switched banks, or simply do not use that account with PayPal anymore. Some people remove old accounts to keep their PayPal profile clean and reduce the number of linked payment methods.
If you think your account was hacked
If you removed a bank account because you saw unauthorized transfers or suspect someone else accessed your PayPal account, change your PayPal password immediately and enable two-factor authentication. Go to Settings, then Security, and turn on Two-Factor Authentication. You can also review your recent activity and report any fraudulent transactions through the Resolution Center.
Contact your bank directly to report any unauthorized transfers from your bank account. Your bank may be able to reverse recent transfers or flag your account for fraud monitoring. PayPal can dispute transfers on your behalf, but your bank is often faster at stopping or reversing money that left your account.
Adding a bank account back later
If you removed a bank account and want to add it back, go to Wallet or Banks and Cards and select Link a Bank Account. Enter your bank's routing number and your account number. PayPal will send two small deposits to your bank account (usually within one to two business days) and ask you to confirm the amounts to verify ownership. Once verified, the account is active again.
If you are adding a different bank account, the process is the same. You do not need to wait any length of time after removing an account before adding a new one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does removing a bank account close my PayPal account?
No. Removing a bank account only disconnects that payment method from your profile. Your PayPal account, your balance, and your transaction history all remain intact. You can still receive payments and use PayPal normally.
Will removing my bank account stop a transfer that is already processing?
No. If a transfer has already been sent to your bank, removing the account from PayPal will not stop it. The money will arrive on the normal timeline. You can only cancel transfers that are still pending in PayPal, before they reach your bank.
What if I remove my bank account and then need to withdraw money?
You will need to add a new bank account or use another withdrawal method like a PayPal debit card. Your PayPal balance does not go anywhere—it just stays in your account until you link a way to access it.
Can I remove a bank account from the PayPal mobile app?
The mobile app does not always show the remove option clearly. Use the web version of PayPal instead. Log in on a computer or phone browser, go to Wallet or Banks and Cards, and remove the account from there.
If I remove a bank account, can someone else use it to access my PayPal balance?
No. Once you remove a bank account, it is no longer connected to your PayPal profile, so no one can use it to transfer your PayPal balance out. However, if someone has your PayPal login credentials, they can add their own bank account and transfer your money. Protect your password and enable two-factor authentication to prevent this.