Mobile check deposit lets you photograph the front and back of a check and send it to your bank without visiting a branch
Most banks and credit unions now offer mobile check deposit through their phone app. You take a photo of the front of the check, then a photo of the back, and the app sends both images to the bank. The funds usually appear in your account within one to three business days, though some banks post them faster.
The process is the same whether you use an iPhone or Android phone. You do not need any special equipment — just your phone's camera and the bank's app already installed on your device. The bank reads the check images automatically and processes the deposit on their end.
Key Takeaways
- You photograph both sides of the check using your bank's mobile app, and the bank processes the deposit from those images.
- Most banks limit the amount you can deposit per day and per month through mobile check deposit, typically between $2,000 and $10,000 per day depending on the bank.
- After you submit the photos, you should write "VOID" across the back of the physical check and keep it for at least 30 days in case the bank needs to verify it.
- The deposit usually posts within one to three business days, though some banks offer next-business-day posting for certain account types.
- Mobile check deposit works only for checks made out to you — the bank will reject a check made out to someone else, even if they sign the back.
Step-by-step process for depositing a check by phone
Open your bank's mobile app and look for a button or menu option labeled "Deposit a Check," "Mobile Deposit," or "Deposit Check." The exact wording varies by bank. Tap that option to start.
Take a clear photo of the front of the check. Make sure the entire check is visible in the frame, the image is in focus, and the lighting is bright enough to read the numbers and text. The app will show you a preview and may ask you to retake the photo if it is too blurry or cut off.
Take a photo of the back of the check. The back usually has a blank area where you would normally sign. Some banks ask you to sign the back before photographing; others do not. Follow the app's instructions on this step.
Review both images in the app to make sure they are clear and complete. Enter the deposit amount — the app usually reads this from the check automatically, but you can correct it if needed. Select which account the money should go into if you have more than one.
Tap the button to submit the deposit. The app will confirm that your deposit was received and give you a confirmation number. Write down this number or take a screenshot in case you need to reference the deposit later.
What happens after you submit the photos
The bank receives your images and processes them through their system. This usually takes a few hours to a full business day. During this time, the bank verifies that the check amount matches what you entered, that the check is made out to you, and that the routing and account numbers are valid.
The funds post to your account within one to three business days. Some banks offer faster posting — for example, Wells Fargo posts mobile deposits by the next business day for most customers, while other banks may take longer. Check your bank's website or app to see their specific timeline.
Once the deposit posts, you can see the money in your account balance. You should then write "VOID" across the back of the physical check with a pen and keep it in a safe place for at least 30 days. Do not throw it away immediately — if the bank needs to verify the deposit for any reason, you will have the original check to show them.
Daily and monthly deposit limits
Banks set limits on how much you can deposit through mobile check deposit in a single day and over a rolling 30-day period. These limits vary widely by bank and by account type.
| Bank | Daily Limit | 30-Day Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Chase | $2,000 | $5,000 |
| Bank of America | $2,500 | $5,000 |
| Wells Fargo | $2,000 | $5,000 |
| Ally Bank | $10,000 | $25,000 |
| Capital One 360 | $2,500 | $5,000 |
These limits can change, and some banks raise them for customers who have been with them for a certain length of time or who maintain a high balance. If you need to deposit more than your limit allows, you can either visit a branch in person, mail the check to the bank, or split the deposit across multiple days if your timeline allows.
Common reasons a mobile check deposit gets rejected
The bank will reject your deposit if the check is not made out to you. If the check says "Pay to the order of" someone else's name, the bank will not accept it through mobile deposit, even if that person has signed the back. You would need to visit a branch and have that person present to deposit a check made out to someone else.
The bank will also reject the deposit if the images are too blurry, cut off, or poorly lit to read the check details. If this happens, the app usually tells you to retake the photos. Make sure the entire check is in the frame and that you are photographing it in good lighting — natural daylight or a bright lamp works better than a dim room.
A deposit may be rejected if the check is post-dated (dated in the future), if it is a duplicate of a check you already deposited, or if the check appears to be damaged or altered. If your deposit is rejected, the bank will send you a message through the app or by email explaining why. You can then either retake the photos and resubmit, or take the physical check to a branch.
Security and what to do with the physical check afterward
Mobile check deposit is secure because the bank uses encryption to send your images and the check information is processed on the bank's servers, not stored on your phone. The images are deleted from your phone once you submit them, though the bank keeps a record for their records.
After you submit the deposit and it has posted to your account (usually within three business days), write "VOID" across the back of the check with a pen. This makes it clear that the check has already been deposited and cannot be cashed again. Keep the voided check in a safe place — a file folder or envelope at home — for at least 30 days.
Do not throw away the check immediately after depositing it. If there is ever a dispute about whether the deposit went through, or if the bank needs to verify the check for any reason, you will need the original to show them. After 30 days, you can safely shred or throw away the check.
When mobile check deposit is not available
Some banks do not offer mobile check deposit, particularly smaller regional banks and some credit unions. If your bank does not have this feature, you can deposit checks by mailing them to the bank's processing center (the address is usually on the back of your checks or on the bank's website) or by visiting a branch in person.
Mobile check deposit is also not available for certain types of checks, such as government checks, cashier's checks, or checks that are very old. If you have a check that the app will not accept, the bank's website usually explains which types of checks can be deposited through mobile deposit and which ones require a branch visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for the money to show up in my account?
Most banks post mobile check deposits within one to three business days. Some banks offer next-business-day posting for certain account types or if you deposit before a certain time of day. Check your bank's app or website for their specific timeline, or contact customer service to ask about faster posting options.
Can I deposit a check that is made out to my business?
Only if you have a business account with the bank. Personal accounts cannot deposit checks made out to a business name. If you have a business account, the process is the same — photograph both sides and submit through the app.
What if the check is damaged or has a tear in it?
If the damage makes it hard to read the check amount, routing number, or account number, the bank may reject it. Try photographing it anyway — the app will tell you if the image is too unclear. If it is rejected, take the physical check to a branch and ask a teller to deposit it in person.
Do I need to sign the back of the check before taking the photo?
This depends on your bank. Some banks require you to sign the back before photographing; others do not. Your bank's app will show you instructions for your specific bank. If you are unsure, sign the back before photographing to be safe.
Can someone else deposit a check made out to me using their phone?
No. The check must be made out to the person whose account it is being deposited into. If you want someone else to deposit a check for you, you would need to sign the back and they would need to take it to a branch in person, or you could sign it over to them and they could deposit it into their own account (though this varies by bank and check type).