How to Link your Bank Account to PayPal

Linking or connecting your debit and credit card to your PayPal account is a simple process. Linking your bank account can be just as simple and will make it easier to withdraw any funds that are sent to your PayPal account. If you don’t already have a PayPal account, the setup is pretty straightforward.

If you don't already have a PayPal account, then setting up a PayPal account will be the first step before you can link your bank account.

Setting Up a PayPal Account

If you already have a PayPal account then you can skip these steps.

Step 1. The first step is to navigate to paypal.com or you can also create an account using the app which can be found and downloaded from your App Store. 

Step 2. Once you’re on the PayPal homepage, you’ll see the “Sign Up” button on the top right side of the page. Click the button. You’ll then need to choose between a business account and an individual account depending on what you wish to use PayPal for. The business option is if you plan to sell products or goods in exchange for funds.

💡Tip: We have an article to help you decide which account is best for you between PayPal business accounts and personal accounts.

Step 3. If you’re planning to use the account to casually send and receive money from family and friends, choose the individual option and click “Next.”.

Step 4. You’ll then be prompted to enter your phone number. Once you enter it, click “Next.”.

Step 5. The next form requires you to fill out your name, email address, and password you wish to use to gain access to the account.

Step 6. Once you hit the “Continue” button, you’ll be asked to fill out some more personal information, including your nationality and your home address.

Step 7. The account will then be made once you hit the “Continue” button again. 

Step 8. You’ll also receive an email that will prompt you to verify your email address shortly after. Once you verify that, your PayPal account is now ready for the next step.

How to link your Bank Account to PayPal on the web

Now that your PayPal account is all setup, let's go through the steps to link your bank account to PayPal.

Step 1. For the desktop version, simply go to your Wallet.

Step 2. On the top left of the screen, click on “Link a bank,”. 

Step 3. You’ll then be prompted to choose your bank. Make sure you have all your bank information ready and available to reference. It will show a list of all major banks, and you can search for yours if you don’t see it already on the list. Once you’ve found your bank, click on it. 

Step 4. You’ll then be given two options on the page: you can log into your online bank account and click “Agree and Link,” or you can click “Link your bank another way”. It’s important to point out that this second way will take 2-3 business days before it will be up and running. 

Step 5. If you clicked the second option, you’ll be redirected to a page where you will have to input your bank information. You’ll need to choose the account type, checking or savings, then input your bank account’s routing and account numbers.

Step 6. Once you’ve gone over the information and are sure it’s all correct, click the “Agree and Link” button. PayPal will send you 2 small deposits within 3 business days, so you will need to check this regularly. The small deposits will be anywhere between $0.01 and $0.99. This will be confirmation that your bank account has been linked successfully. 

💡Tip: In some cases, if you did not receive the small deposits from PayPal, you can request PayPal to send them to you again.

How to link your Bank Account Via PayPal App

The process to link your bank account through the PayPal app is similar to the process online, it just looks slightly different.

Step 1. The first step is to sign in to your account.

Step 2. Once signed in you will see the small settings symbol in the top right corner of your phone screen, click the symbol. You’ll see a few different tab options including Personal Info, Public Profile, and Message Center.

Step 3. Below those few tabs, you will see a tab that says, “Banks and Cards”. Click the tab and it will bring you to where your credit and debit card information. 

Step 4. In the top right corner, you’ll see a small plus sign symbol. Click the plus sign and it will bring you to a new screen where you will see “Bank Account” and “Debit or credit card.”.

Step 5. Click “Bank Account” and you’ll be brought to a new page where you will be prompted to choose your bank. If you can’t find your bank on the list, you can search for it using the search bar at the top of the screen. 

Step 6. You will then be prompted to either sign in to your online bank account or link your bank another way manually. If you don’t have an online account set up with your bank, you can click “Link your bank another way” and input the account type, account number, and routing number.

This manual option will take 2-3 business days to start working. 

Step 7. Once your bank information is filled out, click the “Agree and Link” button at the bottom of the screen. You’ll receive 2 small deposits from PayPal in the next 3 business days, just like you would if you were linking your bank account through the online webpage.

💡 Tip: Once linked, you can use your bank account to add money to PayPal.

Conclusion

Connecting a bank account to PayPal is essential if you want to fully utilize PayPal's services. The process as a whole is relatively simple as long as you have all of your bank information ready.

The reason why some people do not receive test deposits from PayPal is that some online banks combine small deposits into a single amount. And before you think about getting PayPal to send you small deposits repeatedly to get free money, the deposits are temporary and will be removed from your bank account.

If you still need more information, you can read PayPal's official guide on how to link a bank account to PayPal.