Bank of America's mobile check deposit works through their mobile app on your phone
Bank of America lets you deposit checks using the mobile app on an iPhone or Android phone. You photograph the front and back of the check, and the bank processes it without you visiting a branch or ATM. The deposit usually shows in your account within one business day, though the funds may not be available to withdraw when ready depending on the check amount and your account history.
You do not need to sign the back of the check before photographing it — Bank of America's system handles that part. The app will tell you if the image is too blurry or if it cannot read the check amount, and you can retake the photo.
Desktop or web browser deposit is not available through Bank of America's standard online banking. Mobile app is the only remote option; otherwise you use an ATM or visit a branch.
Key Takeaways
- read the Bank of America mobile app, sign in, and use the "Mobile Check Deposit" or "Deposit Checks" feature to photograph both sides of the check.
- The check must be made payable to you, and you cannot deposit a check that is already signed by someone else or made out to a business you do not own.
- Deposits typically post within one business day, but the funds may be held for several days depending on the check amount and whether it is from another bank.
- You can deposit up to a daily limit that varies by account type; Bank of America typically allows $2,500 per day for most checking accounts, though this can change.
- Keep the physical check for at least 30 days after the deposit clears in case the bank needs to verify it, then destroy it by shredding or tearing it up.
Step-by-step process to deposit a check on the mobile app
Open the Bank of America mobile app and sign in with your username and password. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner, then select "Deposit Checks" or "Mobile Check Deposit" — the exact wording depends on your app version.
Select the account you want the money to go into. Take a clear photo of the front of the check in good lighting, making sure all four corners are visible and the text is readable. The app will show you a preview; if it looks blurry or cut off, retake it. Then photograph the back of the check the same way.
Review the check amount that the app reads from the image. If it is wrong, you can correct it manually. Enter any additional information the app asks for, then confirm the deposit. You will see a confirmation number — write this down or take a screenshot.
What happens after you submit the deposit
Bank of America sends the check images to their processing center. Within one business day, the deposit will show in your account as "pending" or "deposited." This does not mean the money is available to spend yet.
The hold period — how long before you can withdraw the funds — depends on the check amount and the bank it was drawn from. Checks from other Bank of America accounts usually clear the same day. Checks from other banks may be held for one to five business days. Larger checks (over $5,000) may be held longer. Bank of America will tell you the expected availability date when you submit the deposit.
If the check image is rejected because it is unreadable or incomplete, the app will notify you and you can resubmit. If the check bounces after it clears (meaning the account it was drawn from did not have enough money), Bank of America will reverse the deposit and charge you a returned-item fee, typically $12 to $15.
Daily and monthly deposit limits
Bank of America sets a daily limit on mobile check deposits. For most personal checking accounts, this limit is $2,500 per day. Some account types have higher limits; Business accounts may allow $5,000 or more per day. These limits can change, so check your app or call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 to confirm your specific limit.
The daily limit resets at midnight Eastern Time. If you try to deposit a check that would exceed your limit, the app will reject it and tell you to try again the next day or use a different deposit method.
There is no separate monthly limit, only the daily cap. You can deposit multiple checks on the same day as long as the total does not exceed your daily limit.
Checks you cannot deposit through the mobile app
The check must be made payable to you — your name must appear as the payee. You cannot deposit a check made out to someone else, even if they sign it over to you on the back. You also cannot deposit a check made out to a business unless you are the sole owner and the account is registered in your business name.
Do not deposit a check that is post-dated (dated in the future), already stamped "deposited," or damaged so badly that the amount or routing number is illegible. Do not deposit a check that is more than 180 days old; most banks will reject it as stale.
If the check has already been deposited elsewhere, depositing it again is check fraud, even if you did not know it was already processed. Always keep track of checks you have submitted.
What to do with the physical check after deposit
Bank of America's system photographs your check but does not physically collect it. You keep the paper check. Do not deposit the same physical check at an ATM or branch after you have already submitted it through the app — this creates a duplicate deposit and will cause problems when the bank reconciles.
Hold onto the physical check for at least 30 days after the deposit clears and the funds are available. If a problem arises — the check bounces, the image was rejected, or the bank needs to verify the deposit — you will need the original. After 30 days, shred or tear up the check so it cannot be deposited again by accident or by someone else.
Troubleshooting common deposit problems
If the app says the image is unreadable, make sure you are in good lighting and that all four corners of the check are visible in the photo. Glare from a window or phone flash can make the text hard to read. Try taking the photo at a slight angle or in natural daylight rather than under a lamp.
If the app rejects the check because it says the amount is illegible, the check may be damaged, faded, or written in pen that does not show up well in the photo. Try photographing it again, or contact Bank of America to ask whether you can deposit it in person at a branch or ATM instead.
If your deposit shows as pending but does not clear after the expected date, log into your account and check the deposit status. If it still shows as pending after five business days, call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 with your confirmation number. Do not assume the deposit failed — it may straightforward be delayed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit a check made out to two people?
Only if both names are on the account you are depositing into. If the check says "John Smith and Jane Smith" but your account is only in your name, you cannot deposit it through the app. Both people would need to be present to deposit it in person at a branch, or one person would need to sign it over to the other.
What if I accidentally deposit the same check twice?
Bank of America's system is designed to catch duplicate deposits, but it is not foolproof. If you realize you have submitted the same check twice, contact the bank when ready at 1-800-432-1000 with both confirmation numbers. The sooner you report it, the easier it is to reverse one of the deposits before the funds are deducted from the check writer's account.
Do I need to endorse the check before taking the photo?
No. Bank of America does not require you to sign the back of the check for mobile deposit. The app treats the photograph as your authorization. However, some people sign it anyway for their own records — it does not hurt, but it is not necessary.
Why is my deposit on hold if I bank with Bank of America?
Even checks from other Bank of America customers may be held if the amount is large or if your account is new. Bank of America uses holds to protect against fraud and insufficient funds. The hold period is usually one business day for same-bank checks and up to five days for checks from other banks, but it can be longer depending on your account history and the check amount.
Can I deposit a check from a foreign bank?
Bank of America's mobile app does not accept checks drawn on foreign banks. You would need to deposit a foreign check in person at a branch, and the bank may charge a fee and hold the funds for several weeks while it clears through international banking channels.