The three ways to move money out of Chime savings
You can withdraw from your Chime savings account in three ways: transfer the money to your Chime checking account and then withdraw it, use an ATM with your debit card, or request a transfer directly to an external bank account. The fastest is usually the internal transfer to checking, which happens when ready. ATM withdrawals work the same day. External transfers to another bank take one to three business days.
Chime savings accounts don't have a separate debit card — your Chime debit card is linked to your checking account, not savings. That's why the most common path is to move money from savings to checking first, then use your card or the ATM. You can do this transfer as many times as you want with no fee.
The method you choose depends on how quickly you need the money and whether you want it in cash or as a bank transfer. Most people use the checking account transfer because it's when ready and they already have their debit card in their wallet.
Key Takeaways
- Transfer money from savings to checking when ready using the Chime app or online, then withdraw from any ATM or use your debit card.
- You cannot withdraw directly from savings with your debit card because Chime's card is linked only to your checking account.
- ATM withdrawals from checking happen the same day and work at any ATM in the Chime network or at partner banks.
- External transfers to another bank take one to three business days and require you to add that bank account in the Chime app first.
Transferring from savings to checking in the Chime app
Open the Chime app and tap the savings account. You'll see a button labeled "Transfer" or "Move Money" — the exact label changes with app updates, but it's always visible on the main savings screen. Tap it, enter the amount you want to move, and confirm. The money appears in your checking account when ready.
You can transfer any amount, any number of times. Chime doesn't limit how often you move money between your own accounts. Once the money is in checking, you can withdraw it at an ATM, use your debit card to spend it, or transfer it elsewhere.
If you're on the Chime website instead of the app, log in, select your savings account, and look for a "Transfer" or "Move Funds" option in the account menu. The process is the same — enter the amount and confirm.
Using an ATM to withdraw cash
After you transfer money to checking, you can withdraw cash at any ATM. Chime offers fee-free withdrawals at ATMs in the Allpoint network, which includes over 60,000 machines worldwide. You can also withdraw at most bank ATMs without a fee — Chime partners with banks including MoneyLion, Stride Health, and others depending on your location.
Insert your Chime debit card, enter your PIN, select "Withdrawal," choose your amount, and take your cash. The transaction processes the same day. If you use an ATM outside the Chime network, you may be charged a fee by that ATM's operator — Chime won't refund it, but you'll see the fee before you confirm the withdrawal.
You can withdraw up to the amount in your checking account. If you need more cash than you currently have in checking, transfer more from savings first.
Sending money to another bank account
To move money from Chime savings to a different bank, you need to add that bank account in the Chime app first. Tap "Settings," then "Linked Accounts," then "Add Account." Enter the bank's routing number, your account number, and the account type (checking or savings). Chime will verify the account by depositing two small amounts — usually under a dollar each — which you'll see in that bank account within one to two business days.
Once verified, go back to your Chime savings account, tap "Transfer," select the external bank account as the destination, enter the amount, and confirm. The transfer takes one to three business days. You'll see the money leave your Chime account right away, but it won't arrive at the other bank until the transfer window closes.
There's no fee for external transfers from Chime. The receiving bank may have its own rules about deposits, but Chime itself charges nothing.
Timing and what to expect
Internal transfers (savings to checking) are when ready — the money appears in your checking account within seconds. ATM withdrawals happen the same day you make them. External transfers to another bank take one to three business days, depending on the receiving bank's processing speed.
If you initiate a transfer on a weekend or holiday, Chime processes it the next business day. For example, a transfer requested on Saturday morning won't move until Monday. The receiving bank then has its own processing window, which is why external transfers can take up to three days even though Chime sends the money quickly.
You can check the status of any transfer in the Chime app. Tap "Activity" or "Transactions," find the transfer, and tap it to see whether it's pending, processing, or complete.
What happens if you don't have enough money
If you try to transfer more than your savings account balance, Chime will reject the transfer and show an error message. You can only move money you actually have. The same applies to ATM withdrawals — if your checking account has $200 and you try to withdraw $300, the ATM will decline the transaction.
If you're close to your limit and need more, you can transfer additional money from savings to checking and then return to the ATM. There's no waiting period between transfers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withdraw directly from savings with my debit card?
No. Your Chime debit card is connected only to your checking account. You must transfer money to checking first, then use your card or an ATM. This is a standard setup for most banks — savings accounts are meant for storing money, not everyday spending.
Are there limits on how much I can transfer?
Chime doesn't set a limit on transfers between your own accounts. You can move any amount from savings to checking as often as you want. However, federal law once limited savings account transfers to six per month, though that rule was suspended — check your account terms for any current limits your specific Chime plan may have.
How long does it take to verify an external bank account?
Verification usually takes one to two business days. Chime deposits two small amounts into the account you're linking, and you enter those amounts back into the Chime app to confirm you own it. Once verified, transfers to that account take one to three business days.
What if my ATM withdrawal is declined?
The most common reason is insufficient funds in your checking account. Transfer more from savings and try again. If you're using an ATM outside the Chime network, the machine itself may have a daily limit. Try a different ATM or contact Chime support to check whether your card has been flagged for any reason.
Can I set up automatic transfers from savings to checking?
Chime doesn't offer automatic recurring transfers between your own accounts through the app. You can transfer manually whenever you need to, but if you want money to move automatically on a set schedule, you would need to set that up through your external bank account instead — for example, by having your external bank pull money from Chime on a certain date each month.