The main ways to deposit money into Discover

Discover offers three routes to fund a savings account: ACH transfer from another bank, wire transfer, or mobile check deposit. ACH is the slowest but free. Wire transfer is fastest but costs money. Mobile check deposit works only for checks. Which one you use depends on what you're depositing, how fast you need the money to arrive, and whether you want to pay a fee.

You cannot walk into a Discover branch and hand over cash or a check, because Discover has no physical branches. You also cannot deposit cash directly through their website or app. Every deposit method routes through another bank or financial institution first.

Key Takeaways

  • ACH transfers from another bank are free and take three to five business days, making them the cheapest option for most deposits.
  • Wire transfers arrive the same day or next business day but cost between $15 and $30 depending on whether you initiate from Discover or your other bank.
  • Mobile check deposit through the Discover app works only for checks and typically clears within one to two business days.
  • You will need your Discover account number and routing number (9023191110) to receive money from another bank, or your other bank's details to send money from Discover.

ACH transfer: free but three to five days

An ACH transfer is an electronic movement of money between two bank accounts. It is free, but it takes time. Money typically arrives three to five business days after you initiate the transfer. Weekends and federal holidays do not count as business days, so a transfer started on Friday may not land until Wednesday.

To receive an ACH transfer into your Discover account, log into your Discover account online or through the mobile app, find the transfer or deposit section, and look for your account number and routing number. Discover's routing number is 9023191110. Write these down or screenshot them. Then log into your other bank's website or app, find the "send money" or "external transfer" section, and enter Discover's routing number, your Discover account number, and the amount. Your other bank will ask you to verify the account by confirming a small deposit (usually under $1) that Discover sends back within a day or two. Once verified, future transfers are when ready to initiate, though they still take three to five days to clear.

ACH transfers work best when you are not in a hurry and want to avoid fees. They also work best for regular deposits—if you set up a paycheck direct deposit to Discover, that is an ACH transfer and it is always free.

Wire transfer: same day or next day, with a fee

A wire transfer moves money faster than ACH but costs money. Wire transfers typically arrive the same business day if you initiate before your bank's cutoff time (usually 2 or 3 p.m. Eastern), or the next business day if you miss the cutoff. The fee ranges from $15 to $30 depending on which bank you are sending from.

To wire money into Discover, you will need Discover's wire instructions. Log into your Discover account, find the deposit or transfer section, and look for "wire transfer instructions" or "incoming wire details." You will see Discover's bank name, routing number, and a reference number or account identifier. Take this information to your other bank—either call them, visit a branch, or use their online wire transfer tool—and provide those details along with the amount you want to send. Your bank will charge the fee at that time.

Wire transfers are useful when you need money to arrive quickly—for example, if you are moving money to cover an upcoming bill or to take advantage of a promotional interest rate that expires soon. They are not useful for small, routine deposits because the fee eats into any benefit.

Mobile check deposit: for checks only

If you have a paper check, you can deposit it using the Discover mobile app without visiting a bank. Open the app, find "deposit a check" or "mobile deposit," take a photo of the front and back of the check, enter the amount, and submit. The check typically clears within one to two business days.

Mobile check deposit has limits. Discover usually caps deposits at $2,500 per check and $5,000 per day for mobile deposits, though these limits may vary. You cannot deposit a check made out to someone else—it must be in your name or your name plus another account owner's name. After you submit the deposit, do not spend the check or deposit it anywhere else. Write "deposited via mobile" on the back and keep it for at least 30 days in case Discover needs to verify it.

This method is convenient for occasional checks—a refund, a gift, a reimbursement—but it does not work for cash or for checks you receive regularly. If you receive paychecks, set up direct deposit instead.

Setting up direct deposit to Discover

If your employer or a government agency sends you regular payments, you can have them deposited directly to Discover using ACH. This is free and automatic. Ask your employer's payroll department or the agency for a direct deposit form. You will need to provide your Discover account number and routing number (9023191110). Once set up, money arrives on the scheduled payment date without you having to do anything.

Direct deposit is the most reliable way to fund a Discover account regularly because it requires no action on your part and no fees. It also means you do not have to wait three to five days for an ACH transfer—the money lands on payday itself.

What happens after you deposit money

Once money arrives in your Discover savings account, it is yours to keep or move. Discover savings accounts currently earn interest on the balance, though the rate changes based on market conditions. You can withdraw money at any time through ACH transfer back to another bank (free, three to five days), wire transfer (fee, same or next day), or ATM withdrawal if you have a Discover debit card linked to the account.

Be aware that federal rules limit you to six withdrawals or transfers per month from a savings account. If you exceed that, Discover may charge a fee or convert the account to a checking account. This limit does not explore to deposits—you can deposit as often as you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit cash into my Discover savings account?

No, not directly. Discover has no branches and does not accept cash deposits. If you have cash, deposit it into another bank account first, then transfer it to Discover using ACH or wire transfer.

How long does it take money to show up after I transfer it?

ACH transfers take three to five business days. Wire transfers take the same business day or next business day if you miss your bank's cutoff time. Mobile check deposits typically clear in one to two business days. The exact timing depends on when you initiate the transfer and whether the day falls on a weekend or federal holiday.

Is there a limit to how much I can deposit?

Discover does not publish a daily deposit limit for ACH or wire transfers. However, your other bank may have limits on how much you can transfer out in a single day. Mobile check deposits are capped at $2,500 per check and $5,000 per day. Contact Discover directly if you are depositing a very large amount and want to confirm there are no restrictions.

What if I enter the wrong account number when setting up a transfer?

If you enter an incorrect account number, the transfer may be rejected before it leaves your bank, or it may go to the wrong account at Discover. Always verify your Discover account number by logging into your account before you initiate a transfer. If money goes to the wrong place, contact Discover when ready—they may be able to recover it, but the process takes time.

Can I deposit checks made out to someone else?

No. Mobile check deposit requires the check to be in your name or in your name plus another account owner's name. If a check is made out to someone else, they must deposit it into their own account, or they can sign it over to you (though many banks no longer accept third-party checks).