Comprehensive Tutorial on Using Mobile Check Deposit

Most banking apps include a free feature called mobile check deposit. You’re not the only one who hasn’t used this feature yet: Approximately 25% of people will not use banking apps at all in 2024. However, waiting could end up costing you money and effort.

It just takes a minute or two to deposit a check using a mobile check deposit on your tablet or smartphone. To put it another way, you can avoid paying ATM fees and saving time and money by not having to visit a bank branch or ATM.

How does mobile check deposit work?

You can use mobile check deposits to deposit checks into your savings or checking account by snapping pictures of them with your banking app. Most banks and credit unions provide this free service, which can be completed on your smartphone or tablet in a matter of minutes and is available around the clock.

Comprehensive guidelines for mobile check deposit

While your bank or credit union may have a different procedure, using your mobile app to deposit a check should work something like this:

Ensure that the latest version of your banking app is installed.
To deposit money, open your banking app and select the account you wish to fund.
Enter the check amount.
On the back of the check, write “For mobile deposit only at [bank name]” and sign your name.
Permit the app to access your camera if prompted.
Take pictures of the front and back of the check as directed. Usually, you need to lay the check on top of a dark surface in a well-lit area.
Decide which account is going to get the deposit.
Verify the amount on the check.
Submit.

You ought to get an email and a notification in the app after submitting to verify the deposit was received. If there is a problem with the check, you might get a letter requesting that you bring the check to a bank branch or deposit it at an ATM.

How should my check proceed after a mobile deposit?

You may be advised to retain the check for two to fourteen days after receiving confirmation that it was accepted, depending on your bank. This is because the bank may ask you to bring the check to a branch if there is an issue. Your check may not be accepted for the following reasons:

Poor picture quality
Weak internet connection
No signature or endorsement
Duplicate check
Post-dated check
History of returned checks on your account

Once you are certain that the check has cleared, make sure to destroy it and write “VOID” on it.

When can I access my money after making a mobile deposit?

The typical turnaround time for mobile deposits is one to two business days; however, this can vary depending on your bank, the day, and the time of day that you make the deposit.

For example, mobile check deposits are typically available the following business day for Bank of America accounts. Therefore, your check should be available on Wednesday if you deposit it with BofA on Tuesday during business hours. However, it won’t be accessible until Monday if you deposit it on a Friday after business hours.

As an alternative, some banks allow you to access the first $225 of your deposit either the same day or the next business day, and the remaining amount the day after that.

To obtain instant access to the funds, you might also be able to pay a fee. For example, TD Bank and Key Bank charge a fee of 2% for instant access, while Regions Bank charges a fee of up to 4%.

Do smartphone check deposits have any restrictions?

You can probably deposit a higher or lower amount of checks through your bank’s app on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. For instance, you can deposit up to 10 checks per day, or $50,000 total, with Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU). However, on some accounts with U.S. Bank that haven’t been open for at least 90 days, deposits are only allowed up to $50.

Is using a mobile check deposit safe?

It may be safer to conduct your banking via a mobile app rather than a web browser. As long as you follow the security precautions that are always advised for online banking, mobile check deposits, which are FDIC-insured, can be a safe way to conduct banking. These precautions include: