How to Use Your Bank's Mobile App
Your bank's mobile app lets you check your balance, view transactions, transfer money, and deposit a check by taking a photo — all from your phone.
4 min read · 5 steps · Checked April 2026
Step 1. Download your bank's official app
Search for your bank's name in the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android). Make sure you download the official app — look for the verified checkmark and confirm the developer name matches your bank. Download and install the app for free.
Warning
Only download your bank's app from the official App Store or Google Play Store. Fake banking apps do exist and are designed to steal your login information.
Step 2. Sign in with your online banking credentials
Open the app and enter your online banking username and password. If you have not set up online banking before, tap "Enroll" or "Sign Up" in the app and follow the steps. You will need your account number and some personal information. Once signed in, enable Face ID or fingerprint login when offered, so future logins are faster.
Step 3. Check your balance and recent transactions
After signing in, the home screen usually shows your account balance. Tap your checking or savings account to see a list of recent transactions — deposits, withdrawals, purchases, and payments — usually going back 30 to 90 days. Tap any transaction to see more details.
Step 4. Transfer money between accounts
Look for a Transfer or Move Money option in the app's menu. Select the account you want to transfer from, the account to transfer to, the amount, and the date. Review the details and confirm. Transfers between your own accounts at the same bank are usually instant or same-day.
Quick Tip
To transfer money to someone else's bank account at a different bank, look for "External Transfer" or "Zelle" in your bank's app — many banks now include Zelle for free person-to-person transfers.
Step 5. Deposit a paper check by photo
Find the "Deposit Check" or "Mobile Deposit" option in the app. Enter the check amount. Take a photo of the front of the check, then the back. Make sure the check is on a dark, flat surface, is fully visible, and is in focus. Confirm the deposit. The money usually appears in your account within 1–2 business days. Write "Mobile Deposit" and the date on the check and keep it for 30 days.
Most banks and credit unions offer a free mobile app that lets you manage your account from your phone. You can check your balance, see recent transactions, transfer money between accounts, pay bills, and deposit paper checks by taking a photo — without ever setting foot in a branch.
Mobile banking apps use encryption (a high-level form of scrambling) to protect your information while it travels between your phone and your bank's systems. They are generally considered safe to use, especially on your own personal phone on a secure home Wi-Fi connection.
To use your bank's app, you need your online banking username and password. If you have never set up online banking, you will need to do that first — usually by visiting your bank's website and clicking "Enroll" or "Register." Your account number and a piece of personal identification are usually needed.
The mobile deposit feature — depositing a paper check by photographing it — has a daily limit that varies by bank, usually between $1,000 and $5,000. After depositing a check by photo, write "Mobile Deposit" and the date on the front of the check, and keep it for at least a few weeks in case any questions come up.
Never use a banking app on public Wi-Fi (like at a coffee shop or airport). If you need to check your balance when you are out, use your phone's cellular data connection instead.
If you receive a text or email claiming to be from your bank and asking you to click a link, do not use the link. Go directly to your bank's app or type the bank's web address directly into your browser. Banks do not ask for your password through text or email.
Official sources
- FDIC BankFind (check your bank) — fdic.gov
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — consumerfinance.gov
Still stuck?
A real person can walk you through it over the phone.
Get help from a person