Mobile deposit lets you photograph a check with your phone and send it to your bank instead of visiting a branch

Most banks now offer mobile deposit through their phone app. You take a photo of the front and back of the check, enter the amount, and submit it. The bank receives the image, processes it like a paper check, and the money appears in your account within one to three business days. You do not mail the check or hand it to a teller.

The process is faster than a trip to the branch and works from home, your car, or anywhere you have phone signal and decent lighting. The bank's system reads the check images using optical scanning technology, the same way ATMs read checks deposited at the machine.

Key Takeaways

  • Mobile deposit requires a smartphone with a camera, a bank account with the service turned on, and the bank's app installed on your phone.
  • You photograph both sides of the check, type in the dollar amount, and submit through the app; the bank processes the images and credits your account in one to three business days.
  • Banks limit how much you can deposit per transaction and per day, and these limits vary by bank and account type.
  • After you submit a check, you must write "mobile deposited" on the back and keep it for 30 days before destroying it, or follow your bank's specific instructions for disposal.
  • The bank may reject the image if the photo is blurry, the check is damaged, or the amount you typed does not match what the scanner reads.

What you need to use mobile deposit

You need a smartphone with a working camera, a checking or savings account at a bank that offers the service, and that bank's mobile app downloaded and installed. Not all banks offer mobile deposit, and not all account types within a bank have access to it. Call your bank or log into your online account to see whether the feature is available to you.

The app must have permission to use your phone's camera. When you first open the deposit feature, the app will ask for camera access. You must grant it for the feature to work. If you denied permission earlier, go to your phone's settings, find the bank app, and turn camera access back on.

The step-by-step process for depositing a check

Open your bank's app and look for a deposit, check, or camera icon. The exact label varies by bank. Tap it to start a new deposit. The app will ask which account the money should go into if you have more than one.

Hold the check in good lighting and photograph the front side. The app will show you a preview of the image. Make sure the entire check is visible, the text is sharp and readable, and there are no shadows or glare. If the image is blurry, take another photo. Then photograph the back side the same way. Some banks require you to endorse (sign) the back before photographing; others do not. Check your bank's instructions.

Type the dollar amount from the check into the field the app provides. This number must match what the bank's scanner reads from the check image, or the deposit will be rejected. Double-check it before submitting. Review the images one more time, then tap submit or confirm. The app will show a confirmation number. Write this number down or take a screenshot.

How long it takes for the money to appear

Most banks credit mobile deposits within one to three business days. Some banks offer next-business-day posting for deposits submitted before a certain time, usually 5 p.m. or 9 p.m. Eastern time. Check your bank's specific timeline in the app or on its website.

The deposit does not post instantly. Even though you submitted the image immediately, the bank still needs to scan the images, verify the amount, and confirm the check has not already been deposited elsewhere. This verification takes time. If you need the money urgently, ask the person who wrote the check whether they can send it as a direct transfer or electronic payment instead.

Daily and per-transaction limits

Banks set limits on how much you can deposit in a single transaction and how much you can deposit in a single day. These limits vary widely. Some banks allow $2,500 per transaction and $5,000 per day; others allow $10,000 per transaction and $25,000 per day. New accounts often have lower limits than established accounts. Premium or business accounts may have higher limits.

Check your bank's app or website to see your specific limits. If you need to deposit more than your daily limit, you can deposit part of it today and the rest tomorrow, or you can visit a branch or ATM to deposit the remainder by other means. Some banks will raise your limit if you request it, though this may take a few days to process.

What happens after you submit the deposit

Write "mobile deposited" on the back of the check in ink. Do not deposit the physical check anywhere else. Keep the check in a safe place for 30 days after you submit it through the app. This waiting period lets the bank confirm the deposit went through and catch any problems. If the bank rejects the deposit or if there is a dispute about the check later, you may need to show the original.

After 30 days, you can destroy the check by shredding it or tearing it up. Some banks have different retention rules, so check your bank's policy. Never throw away a check immediately after submitting it through mobile deposit. If something goes wrong and you no longer have the physical check, the bank may not be able to help you.

Reasons a mobile deposit might be rejected

The bank's scanner may reject your deposit if the image is too blurry to read, if the check is torn or damaged, if the amount you typed does not match the amount the scanner reads, or if the check appears to have already been deposited. The app will usually tell you why the deposit was rejected and ask you to resubmit.

If the image is the problem, make sure you are in good lighting, hold the check flat and steady, and take the photo straight on rather than at an angle. If the amount does not match, look at the check again and correct the number you entered. If the check is damaged or the bank suspects it has been deposited twice, you may need to contact the bank by phone or visit a branch to resolve it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit a check that is made out to someone else?

No. The check must be made out to you or to you and another person. If it is made out to someone else entirely, that person must deposit it themselves or sign it over to you in writing (called a third-party endorsement), though many banks no longer accept third-party checks at all. Ask your bank about its policy.

What if the check is post-dated or very old?

A post-dated check (one dated in the future) should not be deposited until that date arrives, though the bank may process it anyway. A check that is more than six months old is considered stale and banks may refuse it. If either applies to your check, contact the person who wrote it and ask for a new one.

Do I need to sign the back of the check before taking the photo?

Requirements vary by bank. Some banks require your signature on the back before you photograph it; others do not. Check your bank's app or website for its specific rule. If you are unsure, sign the back in blue or black ink before photographing.

What if my phone does not have a good camera?

You can visit an ATM that accepts check deposits, mail the check to your bank, or visit a branch in person. Mobile deposit is convenient but not the only way to deposit a check. If your phone camera is too poor quality, these other methods will work.

Can I deposit the same check twice by accident?

The bank's system is designed to catch duplicate deposits, but it is not foolproof. To avoid this, write "mobile deposited" on the check immediately after submitting it, keep it separate from other checks, and do not deposit it anywhere else. If you do deposit it twice by mistake, contact your bank right away.