# Approving and Matching Transactions

> Once you've imported transactions into YNAB, you'll want to review them. This article explains how to approve, reject, or modify your transactions.

Source: https://support.ynab.com/en_us/approving-and-matching-transactions-a-guide-ByYNZaQ1i

Last updated: 2026-08-18T22:34:29.269Z

Review and manage transactions in YNAB by taking action on them (approve, reject, match, unmatch, and categorize, etc.). Learn how to handle situations when transactions do not automatically match, and how to take bulk action on multiple transactions at once.

#### In This Article

[How to Approve and Reject Transactions](#approving)

[How to Match and Unmatch Transactions](#matching)

[Categorizing Transactions](#categorizing)

[How to Take Bulk Actions on Multiple Transactions](#bulk)

[Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)](#faq)

* * *

## How to Approve and Reject Transactions

Understand the processes and implications of transaction approval/rejection. YNAB prompts you to review transactions as they import into your account register. Even if you don’t approve an imported transaction right away, whether income or spending, it still impacts your plan. The exception is pending transactions, which are not reflected in your plan until they clear.

### How to Approve a Transaction

### iOS

1.  Tap the _Home_ tab.
    
2.  Tap the banner displaying “\[#\] New transactions" at the top of the screen.
    
3.  Select the transaction(s).
    
4.  Categorize the transaction if you haven't already.
    
5.  Tap _Approve_.
    

### Android

1.  Tap the _Home_ tab.
    
2.  Tap the banner displaying “\[#\] New transactions" at the top of the screen.
    
3.  Categorize the transaction if you haven't already.
    
4.  Select the transaction(s).
    
5.  Tap _Approve_.
    

### Web

1.  Click on an account (or _All Accounts_) in the left sidebar.
    
2.  Categorize the transaction if you haven't already.
    
3.  Click the circled i icon.
    
4.  Select _Approve_.
    
5.  The circled i icon will disappear once the transaction has been approved.
    

#### What to Expect After Approving Transactions in the Web App

After approving transactions, YNAB will direct you to approve transactions in other accounts or return to your plan to cover overspending.

If you’re [approving a transfer transaction](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/transfer-transactions-a-guide-HJOsZz4Jj) in one account register, it’s automatically approved in the other account register.

### How to Reject a Transaction

Transactions can only be rejected **before** they're approved. If you've already approved a transaction, the option to reject will be greyed out.

### iOS

1.  Tap the _Home_ tab.
    
2.  Tap the banner displaying “\[#\] New transactions" at the top of the screen.
    
3.  Tap the transaction you'd like to reject. 
    
4.  Tap _Show More_.
    
5.  Tap _Reject Transaction_.
    
6.  Tap _Reject Transaction_ again to confirm.
    

#### What to Expect After Rejection

If you reject a transaction and later decide you **do** want it in your account register, you’ll need to [enter the transaction](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/how-to-add-transactions-in-ynab-HyDwA_byi). Once a transaction is rejected or deleted, it won't import again.

### Android

1.  Tap the _Home_ tab.
    
2.  Tap the banner displaying “\[#\] New transactions" at the top of the screen.
    
3.  Tap the transaction you'd like to reject. 
    
4.  Tap _Show More_.
    
5.  Tap _Reject Transaction_.
    
6.  Tap _Reject Transaction_ again to confirm.
    

#### What to Expect After Rejection

If you reject a transaction and later decide you **do** want it in your account register, you’ll need to [enter the transaction](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/how-to-add-transactions-in-ynab-HyDwA_byi). Once a transaction is rejected or deleted, it won't import again.

### Web

1.  Click on an account (or _All Accounts_) in the left sidebar.
    
2.  Click the circled i icon.
    
3.  Select _Reject_.
    
4.  The transaction will disappear once it has been rejected.
    

#### What to Expect After Rejection

Once a transaction is rejected or deleted, it won't import again.

However, if you reject a transaction accidentally and haven't refreshed your browser or logged out, you can click the _Undo_ button at the top of the register to bring it back.

[Back to Top](#backtotop)

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## How to Match and Unmatch Transactions

When you enter a transaction (or have a scheduled transaction) in the web app or on your mobile device, and then the same transaction imports (either via Direct Import or [File-Based Importing](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/file-based-import-a-guide-Bkj4Sszyo)), the two versions will be matched automatically. When matched, the transaction is then automatically approved. No additional steps are needed to approve matched transactions.

#### New Feature: Matched Transactions are now Automatically Approved

Previously, when you manually entered a transaction and the same transaction imported via Direct Import or File-Based Import, you needed to approve the transaction.

Now, there’s no longer a separate approval step, and you’ll no longer see an approval button on matched transactions.

If you need to unmatch a transaction that’s been automatically approved, you can [follow these steps to unmatch the approved transaction](#unmatching-transactions).

You can **unmatch** transactions (useful if you had multiple transactions on the same day with the same amount that were mistakenly—but you'd have to admit logically—matched.)

**Want the match details?** 

*   On iOS, you'll see this info in the _Match details_ field after tapping on a transaction. You may need to tap _Show more_ first. You can also tap on _Match details_ for even more information.
    
*   On web, double-click the transaction in your account register to edit it, then click the link icon in the second column to review the match details.
    
*   On Android, you'll see this info in the _Match details_ section after tapping on a transaction.
    

You don't have to worry if there are slight differences between the dates. Our automatic matching logic applies if the transaction dates are within 10 days of each other **and** the amounts are the same.

**What if they still didn't match?** Occasionally, an imported and hand-entered transaction will not automatically match – typically because the dates are further than 10 days apart, or the amounts don't line up exactly. This second cause is common with recurring expenses that vary slightly each cycle (utilities, variable subscriptions, etc.). Don't worry, you can still manually match them up using the steps below as long as they are in the same account register and one hasn't already been matched to another transaction.

**Which date or amount will be kept in a match?** After matching, YNAB keeps the bank's transaction amount, along with the payee, memo, and date **you** originally entered. This applies whether the match happened automatically or manually -- your bank's amount is treated as authoritative, but everything else keeps what you entered.

### How to Match Transactions

### iOS

1.  Tap the _Accounts_ tab at the bottom of the app.
    
2.  Tap on an account.
    
3.  Tap _Select_ at the top of the screen.
    
4.  Select the two transactions that should be matched. 
    
5.  Tap _More_ (three dots icon) at the bottom of the screen. 
    
6.  Tap _Match_ from the options that appear.   
    
    ![Two transactions and the match button are highlighted](https://cdn.bfldr.com/NIEXAZS5/at/3wc26fxvqqqks482fbrkpb/Match-Transaction-iOS-Help-Article.png)
    
      
    

The transactions will be matched, keeping the date, payee, and category you entered. If the amount imported from the bank was different than the one manually entered, YNAB will keep the imported amount (your bank, after all, should know the correct amount!).

If an imported transaction ever happens to match up with the wrong transaction in your register, you have the option to unmatch them.

### Android

1.  Tap the _Accounts_ tab at the bottom of the app.
    
2.  Tap on an account.
    
3.  Select the two transactions that should be matched. 
    
4.  Tap the three dots icon at the bottom of your screen. 
    
5.  Tap _Match_ from the options that appear. 
    

The transactions will be matched, keeping the date, payee, and category you entered. If the amount imported from the bank was different than the one manually entered, YNAB will keep the imported amount (your bank, after all, should know the correct amount!).

If an imported transaction ever happens to match up with the wrong transaction in your register, you have the option to unmatch them.

### Web

1.  Click on an account in the left sidebar.
    
2.  Select the two transactions that should be matched.
    
3.  Select _Match_.  
      
    
    ![Two transactions are selected and Match is highlighted](https://cdn.bfldr.com/NIEXAZS5/at/94gw6c6zt6q45j3zwc3k94m4/Match-Transaction-Web-Help-Article.png)

The transactions will be matched, keeping the date, payee, and category you entered. If the amount imported from the bank was different than the one manually entered, YNAB will keep the imported amount (your bank, after all, should know the correct amount!).

If an imported transaction ever happens to match up with the wrong transaction in your register, you have the option to unmatch them.

### How to Unmatch Transactions

### iOS

1.  Tap the _Accounts_ tab at the bottom of the app.
    
2.  Tap the correct account.
    
3.  Tap the transaction. 
    
4.  Tap _Show more._ 
    
5.  Tap _Match details_.  
    
    ![Matching and Unmatching Transactions](https://cdn.bfldr.com/NIEXAZS5/at/pwm94chzkj3z7gnxqjspvhr/Match-Transaction-Details-iOS-Help-Article.png)![Matching and Unmatching Transactions](https://cdn.bfldr.com/NIEXAZS5/at/rjkcg9gpmqw37pcwhx9qwv4p/Match-Details-iOS-Help-Article.png)
6.  Tap _Unmatch_.  
    
    ![Unmatch button](https://cdn.bfldr.com/NIEXAZS5/at/hk3cw79xr8zsnnhhqsrbsgp/Unmatch-Button-iOS-Help-Article.png)
7.  Tap _Unmatch Transactions_ to confirm.
    

### Android

1.  Tap the _Accounts_ tab at the bottom of the app.
    
2.  Tap the correct account.
    
3.  Tap the transaction. 
    
4.  Under Match details, tap _Unmatch_.
    
5.  Tap _Unmatch_ again to confirm.
    

### Web

1.  Click on an account in the left sidebar.
    
2.  Click the checkbox next to the transaction.
    
3.  Select _Unmatch_ in the action bar at the bottom of the screen. This option will only be available if a transaction can be unmatched.  
      
    
    ![The matched transaction is selected and Unmatch is highlighted](https://cdn.bfldr.com/NIEXAZS5/at/bshwnz7mqrn37xwj2z59mkk6/Unmatch-Transaction-Web-Help-Article.png)

[Back to Top](#backtotop)

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## Categorizing Transactions

A plan that doesn't know about spending? Not a plan. That's why you'll receive warnings about it if you don't categorize a transaction.

If your imported payee is one you use often, the most recently used category will be automatically assigned by YNAB. Something different this time? Just change it. Check out our specific article on [categorizing transactions](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/categorizing-transactions-a-guide-HyRl60sks) to learn more about YNAB's auto-categorization logic, how to manually set or change an individual category (or do this in bulk for multiple transactions), and more! 

[Back to Top](#backtotop)

* * *

## How to Take Bulk Actions on Multiple Transactions

If you select multiple transactions at once that require the same action, you can do this in bulk! Choose from actions like: [categorize](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/categorizing-transactions-a-guide-HyRl60sks#bulk), [flag](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/flags-a-guide-Skh8Xb4kj#multiple), clear, match/unmatch, approve/reject, move, duplicate, delete, etc.

### iOS

1.  Tap the _Home_ tab.
    
2.  Tap "\[#\] New transactions" at the top of the screen.
    
3.  Select the multiple transactions by tapping the selection circle to the left of each transaction. 
    
4.  You'll find a list of action options at the bottom of your screen. (If the action you want isn't available, tap the _More_ button (three dots icon) at the bottom of the screen to bring up a menu of more options).
    
5.  Tap your desired action, **if available**—you won't be presented with all options every time. You'll only be offered ones applicable for this group of transactions. 
    

### Android

1.  Tap the _Home_ tab.
    
2.  Tap "\[#\] New transactions" at the top of the screen.
    
3.  Long press on any transaction to display checkboxes to the left of each transaction.
    
4.  Select multiple transactions by tapping each checkbox.
    
5.  You'll find a list of action options at the bottom of your screen. (If the action you want isn't available, tap the _More_ button \[three dots icon\] at the bottom of the screen to bring up a menu of additional options).
    
6.  Tap your desired action, **if available**—you won't be presented with all options every time. You'll only be offered ones applicable for this group of transactions. 
    

### Web

1.  Click on an account (or _All Accounts_) in the left sidebar. Approving or categorizing? You can then click _View_ on the blue banner displaying "\[#\] new transactions to approve or categorize" to filter your view to **only** Unapproved or Uncategorized transactions. 
    
2.  Select the multiple transactions using the checkboxes to the left of the transactions.
    
3.  You'll find a list of action options on the toolbar that appears at the bottom of the screen. (If the action you want isn't available, select the _More_ button \[three horizontal dots icon\] to open up another window of options).  
    
4.  Tap your desired action, **if available**—you won't be presented with all options every time. You'll only be offered ones applicable for this group of transactions. 
    

[Back to Top](#backtotop)

* * *

## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

### I approved a number of transactions, but they're no longer approved. Why did YNAB unapprove my transactions?

YNAB will never unapprove your transactions. 

At times, it can appear as if old transactions have entered your account register or previously approved transactions have been unapproved. The most common reason for this: you may have opened a different plan than the one you were expecting. 

Check to see whether you've opened a different plan than you were expecting. [Reach out to our Support team](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/how-to-get-help-SygqcvtC5) if this isn't the case and we'll investigate! 

### What's the difference between rejecting or deleting a transaction?

There is no difference between these two actions. Which option appears depends on the transaction's status. Transactions that are waiting for approval offer the option to reject them, while transactions that are already approved will show the option to delete them. 

### **Can I split a transaction into multiple categories when approving it**?

Yes. On iOS, you can [split a transaction](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/split-transactions-a-guide-SJLEKwY0q) into multiple categories by swiping right on the transaction and tapping _Categorize_. The _Split Between Categories_ option will be available. This feature is not available on Android.

On the web app, click the category twice and click _Split_ when approving transactions in the account register.

### Why aren't my bulk-imported transactions matching automatically?

Matching only happens when a transaction you already entered in YNAB lines up with one that imports later. If you're bulk-importing historical transactions for the first time (for example, migrating from another budgeting tool), there's nothing already in your register to match them to — so YNAB will ask you to approve and categorize each one instead. This is expected behavior.

### Can I match a split transaction to multiple imported transactions?

No, matching is one-to-one and requires the amounts to line up exactly. If a single purchase (like one Amazon order) is later imported by your bank as multiple separate charges, none of them will match your one split transaction. Instead, delete the manually entered transaction and let the imported charges come in individually, categorizing (and splitting, if needed) each one on its own.

[Back to Top](#backtotop)

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