You can deposit a check through the Bank of America mobile app in about two minutes

Bank of America's mobile check deposit feature lets you photograph the front and back of a check and send it to your account without visiting a branch or ATM. The process is called Mobile Check Deposit, and it works on both iPhone and Android devices. Once you submit the images, the funds typically appear in your account within one business day, though the exact timing depends on when you submit and your account type.

The feature is built into the main Bank of America app — you do not need a separate tool or website. You will need your phone's camera, the check itself, and your Bank of America login. The bank does place limits on how much you can deposit this way per day and per month, which vary by account type.

Key Takeaways

  • Mobile Check Deposit works through the Bank of America app by photographing both sides of the check, and funds usually post within one business day.
  • Daily and monthly deposit limits vary by account type — personal checking accounts typically allow $2,500 per day and $5,000 per month, but business accounts have different thresholds.
  • The check must be endorsed (signed on the back) and made payable to you before you photograph it.
  • Bank of America may hold the funds for a longer period if the check amount is unusually large or if your account is new.

Steps to deposit a check through the Bank of America app

Open the Bank of America app and log in with your username and password. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the lower right corner, then select "Deposit a Check" or look for it under the Transfers section. The app will ask you which account you want to deposit into — select the correct one.

Sign the back of the check if you have not already. Write "For Mobile Deposit Only" below your signature. Place the check on a flat, well-lit surface. Take a photo of the front of the check, making sure all four corners and the entire text are visible and in focus. The app will show you a preview — if it looks clear, tap "Continue" and photograph the back of the check the same way.

Review both images in the app. If either image is blurry, cut off, or unclear, retake it. Once both images look good, enter the check amount (the app may auto-detect this) and tap "Submit" or "Deposit". The app will confirm the deposit and show you a reference number. Keep this number in case you need to contact the bank about the deposit.

What happens after you submit the check images

Bank of America processes the images when ready, but the funds do not post right away. The bank typically makes the funds available within one business day — often the same day if you submit before the bank's cutoff time, which is usually 9 p.m. Eastern time on weekdays. Weekends and holidays extend the timeline.

You can check the status of your deposit by opening the app, going to your account, and looking at recent transactions. The deposit will show as "Pending" until it clears, then it will show as posted. Once the funds are in your account, you can use them — but the bank may still be processing the physical check in the background, which can take several more days.

Do not deposit the physical check again after you submit it through the app. Destroy it once the deposit shows as posted in your account. If you try to deposit the same check twice — once through the app and once at an ATM or branch — the bank will catch the duplicate and may reverse one of the deposits or flag your account.

Daily and monthly limits for mobile check deposits

Bank of America sets deposit limits based on your account type. For most personal checking accounts, the limit is $2,500 per day and $5,000 per month. Some premium accounts or accounts with longer history may have higher limits. Business accounts have different thresholds — typically higher daily and monthly caps, but you should check your account details to be sure.

If you hit your daily limit, you can deposit again the next day. If you hit your monthly limit, you will have to wait until the next calendar month to deposit more checks through the app. You can still deposit checks in person at a branch or ATM if you need to move money faster or if you have exceeded your mobile limits.

The bank may lower your limits temporarily if your account is very new or if there is unusual activity. If you see a lower limit than expected, contact Bank of America to ask whether it will increase once your account has been open longer.

When the bank may delay or hold the funds

Bank of America can place a hold on deposited funds if the check amount is unusually large, if your account is new, or if there are other risk factors. A hold means the funds show in your account but you cannot use them yet. The bank must tell you when the hold will be released — typically within a few business days, but sometimes longer.

Checks from unfamiliar banks, checks with unusual formatting, or checks that appear altered may trigger a longer hold. If you deposit a check and the funds do not appear within two business days, log into the app and check the transaction status, or contact Bank of America directly to ask why the hold is in place.

If you need the money urgently, ask the person who wrote the check whether they can send it through a different method — a bank transfer, for example — or whether they can write you a check from a more established bank, which may clear faster.

Troubleshooting common mobile deposit problems

If the app will not let you take a photo, make sure you have given the Bank of America app permission to access your phone's camera. On iPhone, go to Settings, find Bank of America, and toggle Camera on. On Android, go to Settings, Apps, Bank of America, Permissions, and enable Camera.

If the app rejects your images as blurry or incomplete, the lighting or angle is usually the problem. Use natural light or a bright lamp, hold the phone steady, and make sure all four corners of the check are in the frame. The check should fill most of the screen but not be cut off at the edges.

If the deposit shows as submitted but the funds do not appear after two business days, check your account to see if there is a hold or a pending status. If the transaction has disappeared entirely, contact Bank of America — the deposit may have failed during processing, and you may need to resubmit it or deposit the check in person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit a check made out to someone else?

No. The check must be made payable to you and in your name. If someone else's name is on the check, that person must deposit it into their own account, or they can sign it over to you and you can deposit it — but Bank of America's mobile deposit system is designed for checks in your name only.

What if I accidentally deposit the same check twice?

Bank of America's system detects duplicate deposits and will reverse one of them. You may see both deposits post initially, but the duplicate will be removed within a few business days. If this happens, contact the bank to confirm the reversal and make sure only one deposit remains.

Do I need to keep the physical check after I deposit it?

You should keep it until the deposit shows as fully posted in your account — usually one to two business days. Once it is posted, you can destroy the check. Do not throw it away before the deposit clears, in case the bank needs to verify the transaction.

Can I deposit a check that is post-dated or stale-dated?

Bank of America's app may reject a post-dated check (one dated in the future). A stale-dated check (more than six months old) can technically be deposited, but the bank may refuse to process it. If either situation applies, contact the person who wrote the check and ask for a new one.

What if the check is damaged or partially torn?

If the damage makes any part of the check unreadable — the amount, the date, the signature, or the routing number — the app will likely reject the images. Ask the person who wrote the check for a replacement, or deposit the damaged check in person at a branch so a teller can examine it.