Mobile Check Deposit: How to Cash a Check Online

Mobile deposit is a timesaving online banking feature that lets you transfer money from a paper check into your bank account using only a smartphone and an internet connection. It’s a part of Remote Deposit Capture (RDC) technology. You simply deposit a paper check into your account by taking photos of it with your bank’s app.

The feature is typically free and available at most financial institutions, including Chime.

With it, you can skip the trip and keep your day moving as you easily deposit checks without the hassle of a trip to the bank or ATM.

There are several benefits to mobile check deposit, including:

• Convenience: With mobile check deposit, you can deposit checks from anywhere, anytime.
• Simplicity: The process is quick and only requires your phone’s camera.
• Flexibility: Mobile check deposit supports personal, business, cashier’s, and government-issued checks.
• Speed: With mobile deposit, you can get access to your money faster than making a trip to a branch or ATM.

Here’s how to deposit a check with your phone in four simple steps.

Step 1: Open your bank’s mobile banking app

Start by making sure your bank accepts mobile deposits. If it does, you’ll need to download its mobile banking app to your phone, which often doubles as a mobile check deposit app.

Sign in with your login information, and head to the menu to find the mobile check deposit option.

Within the app, you’ll find some guidelines around mobile check deposits. Review these to learn about weekly and monthly deposit limits, including how long funds will take to appear in your account and any rules around endorsing the check.

Step 2: Endorse your check

Once you’re ready to make the deposit, you’ll need to endorse the check for mobile deposit. Here’s how:

• Sign the back of the check: The endorsement area is usually on the back under a header that reads “Endorse check here,” along with three to five grey lines. Sign your full name in this area using black or blue ink like you would for a regular deposit.
• Add a mobile check deposit endorsement: Unlike in-person check deposits, you need to add a restrictive endorsement under your signature for mobile check deposits. The phrasing requirements might change depending on where you bank, but it’s usually something like, “For mobile deposit only.”

Step 3: Photograph both sides

After prepping the physical copy of the check, it’s time to take a couple of pictures. Snap a photo of the front and back of the check.

Get a clear image of both sides of the check so your bank or credit union can verify the sender’s information, the amount, and your signature. If the photos are low-quality, the Remote Deposit Capture (RDC) might have difficulty scanning the check, which can lead to processing delays.1

If needed, retake the pictures until the information is legible and in view. Your mobile banking app should also offer features like a frame to help you line up the check or pop-up messages when the light is too dim.

Step 4: Confirm deposit details

After the app accepts your images and you’re confident they’re easy to read, you usually need to verify the information on the check. At this point, the app will likely ask you to enter the deposit amount and specify which account to deposit the money into, such as a checking account or savings account.

Some mobile check deposit apps auto-fill the information, but you should still double-check those details. Try your best to catch errors with:

• The check amount
• A restrictive endorsement
• Your account number
• Misspellings

After you upload pictures of both sides of your check and confirm all of the information is correct, all you need to do is submit your check.

Step 5: Hold onto the check until it clears

Hold onto your check until the funds appear in your account. That way, you’ll have proof of any discrepancy if you run into other problems later.

It can take a few minutes to a few business days for the funds to appear in your account. The timeline largely depends on your financial institution’s fraud detection process and check-hold policies, which protect you from forms of fraud like check kiting.

Once the mobile deposit goes through correctly, you can void the check and store it somewhere safe if you need to review your past transactions. You can also shred and recycle it.

Mobile deposits are designed with multiple layers of protection to keep your money and information safe. Banks use advanced technology and best practices to make sure your check images and personal data stay secure.

Safety measures include:

• Data encryption: Every image and piece of account information is encrypted, meaning it’s converted into a secure code that can’t be read by unauthorized users.
• Multi-factor authentication: Logging in requires more than just a password—often a text code or biometric scan—to prevent unauthorized access.
• Fraud monitoring: Banks continuously monitor deposits to detect duplicate submissions or suspicious activity.
• Device protections: Built-in smartphone safeguards such as biometric locks, PINs, and passcodes help prevent misuse if your device is lost or stolen.

Common limitations to know

Even with all the convenience, mobile deposits come with a few limitations, like:

• Deposit limits: Many banks set daily or monthly caps on how much you can deposit through the app.
• Image quality issues: Blurry, shadowed, or cropped check photos may be rejected. Always take clear, well-lit pictures.
• Check type restrictions: Some checks—such as foreign, third-party, or business checks—may not be eligible for mobile deposit.
• Processing delays: Deposits made after cutoff times or on weekends might take longer to clear, depending on your bank’s processing schedule.

To ensure a smooth and secure mobile check deposit experience, there are a few best practices to follow. These will help you avoid common issues and make the most of your bank’s mobile deposit feature:

• Prepare for a clear photo: Use natural lighting and place the check on a dark, flat background to help your camera capture all details. Avoid glare, shadows, or busy patterns that could make the check harder to read.
• Endorse correctly: Before snapping your photo, make sure you’ve signed the back of the check and added any required restrictive wording—such as “For mobile deposit only.” An incorrect or missing endorsement is a common reason deposits get rejected.
• Know your bank’s deposit schedule: Every financial institution has its own mobile deposit cutoff time—often around 5 PM ET. Deposits made after that may not be processed until the next business day, so timing matters if you need quick access to funds.
• Keep your check temporarily: Hold onto the physical check for 14 to 30 days after submitting it. This ensures you have proof in case of a technical issue or processing delay.
• Shred the check once it clears: After confirming that the funds have safely posted to your account, shred the paper check to protect your personal and financial information.

Even with the right steps, mobile check deposits can occasionally hit a snag. Most issues are easy to fix with a few quick adjustments. Here’s how to handle the most common mobile check deposit issues:

App says “Image rejected”

Make sure your photos are clear, well-lit, and taken on a dark, flat surface. Retake the pictures in natural lighting and double-check that all four corners of the check are visible.

Deposit pending too long

Mobile deposits can take one to several business days to process, depending on your bank’s schedule. Check your bank’s cutoff time (often around 5 PM ET) and processing calendar—deposits made on weekends or holidays may take longer.

Duplicate deposit alert

If you see a “duplicate deposit” message, verify that you haven’t accidentally submitted the same check twice. Avoid re-uploading the check until your bank confirms the first deposit’s status.

Using mobile check deposits can simplify your banking experience and save time. Although there can be a brief learning curve, following the steps above lets you deposit checks quickly and securely from the comfort of your home.

If you’re receiving regular paychecks, consider setting up direct deposit right into your bank account.