Linked Accounts in YNAB: A Guide

May 14 2025 3:30am • Est. Read Time: 18 MIN

Use our optional Direct Import feature to import transactions into YNAB by linking a new or existing account to a bank connection. Follow our platform-specific steps for a variety of actions, including adding new connections, removing existing ones, linking or unlinking accounts, and how to import transactions.

Links with a ↗️ icon will open in a new tab.

How Direct Import Works: Explains the difference between linked and unlinked accounts in YNAB
Overview of the Manage Connections Window: Explains how to access and utilize the Manage Connections window and its functions
How to Add a Connection
How to Remove a Connection
How to Link a New Account
How to Link an Existing Account
Update Button or Banner: Explains why and when you may see this in YNAB and how to clear it out
Unlinking an Account: Explains the process for unlinking an account, when you'd want to do this, and what to expect
How to Import Transactions
OAuth: Explains what OAuth is and how it helps improve the Direct Import experience
Related Resources

How Direct Import Works

When you create an account in YNAB, you can choose Linked or Unlinked. With unlinked accounts, that means that you’ll enter transactions into YNAB either by manual entry or by using File-Based Import ↗️ with a downloaded file from your bank.

With linked accounts, you create a connection to your bank and then link the account in YNAB to that connection. We use some behind the scenes magic to determine which import provider (MX, Plaid, or TrueLayer ↗️), is the best fit for each financial institution. Transactions should then import directly into your account register! You can link or unlink your accounts (and connect or disconnect from your bank) in YNAB at any time.

Overview of the Manage Connections Window

The Manage Connections window is the control room for your Direct Import experience in YNAB. You can:

Add and remove connections.
Find the unique, six-character Connection ID code for each of your connections.

How to Access the Manage Connections Window

Web
iOS
Android

Select the name of your plan in the upper left-hand corner.
Choose Manage Connections from the drop-down menu. (You may need to scroll down).

Just getting started with YNAB?

If you're presented with a banner or prompt like Next Step, Add Account, or Assign Money, you'll need to complete those prompts before troubleshooting further. For example, if you are stuck on the Add Account prompt, go ahead and add at least one checking or savings account ↗️ in YNAB, and choose the Unlinked option. You can come back and work on getting it linked and synced once you have finished our onboarding process.

Tap the Plan tab at the bottom of the screen. Categories or Spotlight can be toggled on.
Tap the three dots icon in the upper left corner.
Tap Settings & Privacy.
Choose Manage Connections (you may need to scroll down). Once you've added a connection, the Manage Connections window will also be available from the Accounts tab for easier access.

Just getting started with YNAB?

Tap the Plan tab at the bottom of the screen. Categories or Spotlight can be toggled on.
Tap the three dots icon in the upper right corner.
Tap Settings & Privacy.
Choose Manage Connections (you may need to scroll down). Once you've added a connection, the Manage Connections window will also be available from the Accounts tab for easier access.

Just getting started with YNAB?

How to Add a Connection

Here's how to add an Apple Wallet connection ↗️, which is different than the below.

Web
iOS
Android

Select the name of your plan in the upper left-hand corner.
Choose Manage Connections from the drop down menu. (You may need to scroll down).
Click Add Connection.
Follow the prompts to establish a connection with your financial institution.

Adding a connection does not automatically link any accounts up with it. You'll need to do that separately. Or, you can follow the steps below to link an account and create a new connection all at once!

Do you have more than one set of credentials with your financial institution?

If so, you can add a new connection for each set of credentials. You'll then link the accounts associated with those credentials with the corresponding connection. Pro tip: Always make sure you're using the primary account holder's credentials for the best import experience.

Tap the Plan tab at the bottom of the screen. Categories or Spotlight can be toggled on.
Tap the three dots icon in the upper left corner.
Tap Settings & Privacy.
Choose Manage Connections (you may need to scroll down).
Tap Add Connection.
Follow the prompts to establish a connection with your financial institution.

Working from an iPad? If the iOS steps don't seem right, there's a chance you may be running the web app since iPads allow you to Request Desktop Version if you navigate directly to https://app.ynab.com in Safari. Try the web steps in this article to check whether those more accurately reflect your experience! You can also check out Using YNAB on an iPad: A Guide ↗️ for more specifics.

Do you have more than one set of credentials with your financial institution?

If so, you can add a new connection for each set of credentials. You'll then link the accounts associated with those credentials with the corresponding connection. Pro tip: Always make sure you're using the primary account holder's credentials for the best import experience.

Tap the Plan tab at the bottom of the screen. Categories or Spotlight can be toggled on.
Tap the three dots icon in the upper right corner.
Tap Settings & Privacy.
Choose Manage Connections (you may need to scroll down).
Tap Add Connection.
Follow the prompts to establish a connection with your financial institution.

Do you have more than one set of credentials with your financial institution?

If so, you can add a new connection for each set of credentials. You'll then link the accounts associated with those credentials with the corresponding connection. Pro tip: Always make sure you're using the primary account holder's credentials for the best import experience.

How to Remove a Connection

Removing a connection will not impact your transaction history in your account registers, and it doesn't require you to delete any accounts.

Here's how to remove and relink an Apple Wallet connection ↗️, which is different than the below.

Web
iOS
Android

Select the name of your plan in the top left corner.
Click Manage Connections on the drop-down menu. (You may need to scroll down).
Click Remove next to the financial institution connection that's giving you trouble.
You'll notice a Remove Connection warning explaining that this will unlink any accounts under the same login. You won't lose any transactions already in your accounts. Confirm Remove.
Select Done.

If you're removing a connection that you're no longer using anymore, you're all set. If this was a troubleshooting step, removing a bank connection unlinks all accounts that were connected to that financial institution. Below we've listed the steps to easily get your accounts relinked to the new connection.

From the Accounts tab, tap Manage Connections at the bottom of the screen. You may need to scroll down.
Locate the connection you want to remove.
Tap Remove, and then Remove again to confirm.
Tap the X in the upper right-hand corner to close the Manage Connections window.

Working from an iPad? If the iOS steps don't seem right, there's a chance you may be running the web app since iPads allow you to Request Desktop Version if you navigate directly to https://app.ynab.com. Try the web steps in this article to check whether those more accurately reflect your experience! You can also check out Using YNAB on an iPad: A Guide ↗️ for more specifics.

From the Accounts tab, tap Manage Connections at the bottom of the screen. You may need to scroll down.
Locate the connection you want to remove.
Tap Remove, and then Remove again to confirm.
Tap the X in the upper right-hand corner to close the Manage Connections window.

How to Link a New Account

You can add an account and link it to your financial institution at the same time by following these steps. Note: Accounts created with the cash type are not able to be linked.

Are you wanting to link a new Apple Card, Apple Cash, or Savings with Apple Card account? You'll want these separate Apple Wallet-specific instructions ↗️.

Web
iOS
Android

From the web app, click Add Account in the left sidebar.
Search for your financial institution or click on one of the popular options.
Is this a new-to-YNAB account from a bank that already has other accounts linked in YNAB?
1. If yes, you'll want to choose the existing connection from the list. Don't see the account listed? Tap the back arrow < to choose Unlinked and finish adding the account that way. Then, try removing and re-adding your existing connection. If it still doesn't show up, write into Support ↗️ so we can help!
2. If no, follow the prompts to establish a connection with your bank. (If you run into an error, try these troubleshooting steps ↗️ or set up an Unlinked account instead.)
Select the account(s) you want added to YNAB from the list. Leave the accounts you do not want added to YNAB unchecked.
Select Edit to customize the account details that our import providers populated. Note: the type of account cannot be changed once created (though we do have a workaround that allows you to replace it with a new account ↗️).
Click Next.
Click Add [#] Account(s).
If you added a credit card account, you'll be able to set a target to pay off your Starting Balance. Otherwise, you're done. Success! You've added an account and linked it to your bank connection.

Can’t find your bank?

If you search for your financial institution and come up empty, you'll have the option to suggest an institution. (If you don't have the option to suggest an institution, that means your bank was automatically suggested to be added.) We can't guarantee if or when a new institution may be added, but your request will help our Direct Import providers prioritize which banks to add next. In the meantime, you'll be able to bulk import transactions by dragging and dropping a file downloaded from your bank. File-Based Importing is a quick and easy alternative ↗️ to Direct Import!

From the Accounts tab in the mobile app, tap Add Account at the bottom of your account list.
Search for your financial institution or tap on one of the popular options.
Is this a new-to-YNAB account from a bank that already has other accounts linked in YNAB?
1. If yes, you'll want to choose the existing connection from the list. Don't see the account listed? Tap the back arrow < to choose Unlinked and finish adding the account that way. Then, try removing and re-adding your existing connection️. If it still doesn't show up, write into Support ↗️ so we can help!
2. If no, choose Add Connection and follow the prompts to establish a connection with your bank. (If you run into an error, try these troubleshooting steps ↗️ or tap Skip to set up an Unlinked account instead.)
Select the account(s) you want added to YNAB from the list. Leave the accounts you do not want added to YNAB unchecked.
Select Edit to customize the account details that our import providers populated. Note: the type of account cannot be changed once created (though we do have a workaround that allows you to replace it with a new account ↗️).
Tap Next.
Tap Add [#] Account(s).
If you added a credit card account, you'll be able to set a target to pay off your Starting Balance. Otherwise, you're done. Success! You've added an account and linked it to your bank connection.

Can’t find your bank?

From the Accounts tab in the mobile app, tap Add Account at the bottom of your account list.
Search for your financial institution or tap on one of the popular options.
Is this a new-to-YNAB account from a bank that already has other accounts linked in YNAB?
1. If yes, you'll want to choose the existing connection from the list. Don't see the account listed? Tap the back arrow < to choose Unlinked and finish adding the account that way. Then, try removing and re-adding your existing connection️. If it still doesn't show up, write into Support ↗️ so we can help!
2. If no, choose Add Connection and follow the prompts to establish a connection with your bank. (If you run into an error, try these troubleshooting steps ↗️ or tap Skip to set up an Unlinked account instead.)
Select the account(s) you want added to YNAB from the list. Leave the accounts you do not want added to YNAB unchecked.
Select Edit to customize the account details that our import providers populated. Note: the type of account cannot be changed once created (though we do have a workaround that allows you to replace it with a new account ↗️).
Tap Next.
Tap Add [#] Account(s).
If you added a credit card account, you'll be able to set a target to pay off your Starting Balance. Otherwise, you're done. Success! You've added an account and linked it to your bank connection.

Can’t find your bank?

How to Link an Existing Account

Have you already added the account in YNAB, but you need to link it back up to the connection? Do you see a successful connection in the Manage Connections window, but it displays 0 accounts are linked? Maybe you've tried removing the connection as part of troubleshooting and you want to make sure the accounts are linked back up correctly. Here's how!

Are you seeing an Update button by your account? If so, you'll want to follow this process instead️.

Are you wanting to link an existing Apple Card, Apple Cash, or Savings with Apple Card account? You'll want these separate Apple Wallet-specific instructions ↗️.

How to Link an Existing Account

Note: Accounts created with the cash type are not able to be linked.

Web
iOS
Android

In the web app, reconcile ↗️ your account if it already contains transactions in YNAB. This helps limit the possibility of duplicate transactions.
In the left sidebar, hover your mouse pointer over the name of the account you'd like to link.
Click the edit (pencil) icon that appears to the left.
Choose Link Account in the window that pops up. You may need to scroll down. (Finding only an Unlink Account button? This means this account is already linked to a bank connection. If transactions aren't importing, write into our Support team ↗️ for further assistance.)
Select from your existing list of connections (or choose Add Connection to search for your financial institution).
Follow the prompts.
1. You may need to enter your login credentials.
2. If you run into an error, try these troubleshooting steps ↗️.
Select the matching bank account on the connection that you'd like to link to this account in YNAB.
Click Next.
Click Done.

Once the account is linked, if you have any recently posted transactions, they'll be available to approve and/or categorize after they import. YNAB will import transactions that cleared up to three days prior to your latest reconciled transaction. If you happen to notice any duplicates, you can reject them—and you shouldn't find any other duplicates going forward. We recommend you reconcile again for good measure.

In the mobile app, reconcile ↗️ your account if it already contains transactions in YNAB. This helps limit the possibility of duplicate transactions.
Tap the Accounts tab at the bottom of the app.
Select the specific account you want to link.
Tap the three dots icon button at the top right.
Tap Link Account. (Finding only an Unlink Account button? This means this account is already linked to a bank connection. If transactions aren't importing, write into our Support team ↗️ for further assistance.)
Follow the prompts to select the appropriate financial institution connection (or add a new one!).
1. You may need to enter your login credentials.
2. If you run into an error, try these troubleshooting steps ↗️.
Select the corresponding account on the connection to link with.
Confirm the match between the accounts by tapping Next.
After the success message, tap Done.

In the mobile app, reconcile ↗️ your account if it already contains transactions in YNAB. This helps limit the possibility of duplicate transactions.
Tap the Accounts tab at the bottom of the app.
Select the specific account you want to link.
Tap the three dots icon button at the top right.
Tap Link Account. (Finding only an Unlink Account button? This means this account is already linked to a bank connection. If transactions aren't importing, write into our Support team ↗️ for further assistance.)
Follow the prompts to select the appropriate financial institution connection (or add a new one!).
1. You may need to enter your login credentials.
2. If you run into an error, try these troubleshooting steps ↗️.
Select the corresponding account on the connection to link with and follow the prompts.

Update Button or Banner

If you see an Update button or banner, that means that our support team has interacted with your connection and it has either been reset or it has been moved to another import provider. Clicking or tapping on the Update button or banner will walk you through completing the underlying connection while keeping your account in YNAB linked to it.

If you don’t want to update this account, you can unlink it. If you’re unable to update the connection successfully, let the support team know in the established conversation so that they can take another look.

Unlinking an Account

How to Unlink an Account

Web
iOS
Android

Reconcile ↗️ your account if it already contains transactions in YNAB.
In the left sidebar, hover your mouse pointer over the name of the account you'd like to unlink.
Click the edit (pencil) icon that appears to the left.
Choose Unlink Account in the window that pops up. (You may need to scroll down).
Need to link back up, too? Here's how to link an existing account in YNAB.

Reconcile ↗️ your account if it already contains transactions in YNAB.
Tap the Accounts tab at the bottom of the app.
Select the specific account you want to unlink.
Tap the horizontal three dots icon button at the top right.
Choose Edit Account.
Tap Unlink Account.
Need to link back up, too? Here's how to link an existing account in YNAB.

Reconcile ↗️ your account if it already contains transactions in YNAB.
Tap the Accounts tab at the bottom of the app.
Select the specific account you want to unlink.
Tap the vertical three dots icon button at the top right.
Choose Edit Account.
Tap Unlink Account.
Need to link back up, too? Here's how to link an existing account in YNAB.

When should I unlink?

If an account is linked incorrectly.
How do I know where my account is linked? You can confirm what account and connection it’s linked with by checking the account details that display below the Unlink Account button (see the platform-specific steps above). *If you see a Link Account button instead, this means you’re already unlinked.
If you’re currently working with our Support team and they’ve already reported your incorrect transaction issue to our import provider. As long as the underlying connection remains in place, you’re more than welcome to unlink the affected accounts to prevent incorrect imports from wreaking havoc on your account registers.
If you’d like to stop using Direct Import for your account(s). Note: Unlinking the account does not remove the underlying connection with your bank. It only stops transactions from being pulled into your account. You'll need to fully remove any connection between YNAB and your bank.
We recommend unlinking (and then relinking!) if you’ve received a new or replacement credit card ↗️.
Did you instead just update your credentials or change your password? Here's what to do in that scenario ↗️.

What happens after I unlink?

You’ll no longer see transaction imports come through for the account.
You’ll want to use either File-Based Import ↗️ (web app only) or our other transaction entry options ↗️ to keep your account register(s) updated.
Unlinking an account does not remove the underlying bank connection. Here's how to remove the connection as well.

How to Import Transactions

When new transactions clear your bank, they should import soon after—typically within 24-72 hours. Transactions that cleared before the date of the Starting Balance will not be imported.

How to Import Transactions

Web
iOS
Android

In the web app, once your account is linked, if transactions are available from your bank, they'll import automatically into your account register.
If you have transactions requiring action, you'll have a white notification dot to the left of the account name in the left sidebar.
When you select the account, a blue banner displaying "(#) new transactions to approve or categorize" will appear across the top notifying you that there are transactions to approve or categorize.
Clicking the banner (or View button) will apply a search to show only those transactions and any others that need to be categorized or approved ↗️. Imported transactions will automatically match to ones you entered manually and wait for you to approve them.
Wash, rinse, and repeat until you've approved (or rejected!) and categorized all of your transactions. Here's how to take actions in bulk ↗️.

As you spend, you should still enter transactions in the mobile app! Once those transactions clear your bank and import, they'll match right up (as long as they're the exact amount and within 10 days of each other). You can also manually match an imported transaction with one you entered.

If this is an investment or loan account, here's the best way to handle investment and loan transactions in YNAB ↗️.

In the mobile app, once your account is linked, if transactions are available from your bank, they'll import automatically into your account register.
If you have any new transactions requiring action (approve and/or categorize), a banner displaying “Review [#] transactions" will appear at the top of the Plan tab. (You'll also have a blue notification dot next to the specific accounts that have transactions waiting for action).
Tap the banner to approve and categorize transactions. Imported transactions will automatically match to ones you entered manually and wait for you to approve them ↗️!
Wash, rinse, and repeat until you've approved (or rejected!) and categorized all of your transactions. Here's how to take actions in bulk ↗️.

If this is an investment or loan account, here's the best way to handle investment and loan transactions in YNAB ↗️.

In the mobile app, once your account is linked, if transactions are available from your bank, they'll import automatically into your account register.
If you have any new transactions requiring action (approve and/or categorize), a banner displaying “Review [#] transactions" will appear at the top of the Plan tab. (You'll also have a blue notification dot next to the specific accounts that have transactions waiting for action).
Tap the banner to approve and categorize transactions. Imported transactions will automatically match to ones you entered manually and wait for you to approve them ↗️!
Wash, rinse, and repeat until you've approved (or rejected!) and categorized all of your transactions. Here's how to take actions in bulk ↗️.

If this is an investment or loan account, here's the best way to handle investment and loan transactions in YNAB ↗️.

OAuth

Some financial institutions enable Direct Import connections through a method called OAuth. OAuth allows YNAB to access your account and transaction data without you having to provide your online banking credentials to an intermediary—in this case, MX, Plaid, or TrueLayer. Instead, you can authenticate directly with your financial institution, which gives permission (through a digital token) for MX, Plaid, or TrueLayer to receive the account and transaction information YNAB needs.

As a part of this OAuth process, you may be asked by your bank to authorize sharing information such as your name, street address, or phone number alongside your transaction data. We want to be clear on this point: As a part of this OAuth process, YNAB does not request, view, make use of, or store any data other than what’s required to process and display your accounts and transactions. That means that we will request and store individual transaction data (date, payee, amount, etc), as well as some account details (account name, balance, interest rate, etc), but we don’t request or store other personal information like your name, street address, or phone number. We’re not in the business of needing to know everything about you, and we’re proud of that.

Related Resources

Didn't find the information you needed? Check out these related options!

Want to know more about Direct Import? The Direct Import Experience ↗️

Need help with specific connections, transactions, and account issues? Troubleshooting Linked Accounts ↗️

Not sure what the statuses or icons by your account mean? Linked Account Statuses: An Overview ↗️

Wanting to connect, link, or troubleshoot your Apple Card, Apple Cash, or Savings with Apple Card accounts? Apple Wallet Connections in YNAB ↗️

Using YNAB with unlinked accounts or need some meantime maintenance while troubleshooting a Direct Import issue? How to Add Transactions in YNAB ↗️ File-Based Import ↗️

Want details on individual banks with widespread issues or known, expected behavior? Direct Import Watchlist Institutions ↗️

Using banks in Europe? Direct Import in Europe ↗️

Still have questions? Want to share your specific scenario with our award-winning Support team? How to Get Help in YNAB ↗️

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