How to Deposit Checks With the Bank of America iPhone App

Quick answer: To deposit a check with the Bank of America iPhone app, sign in, choose the account, open the check deposit feature, enter the exact amount, endorse the back of the check for mobile deposit, take clear photos of the front and back, review the details, and submit. Keep the paper check until the deposit is accepted and fully resolved. App screens can change, so follow the prompts shown inside your current version of the app.

Before You Start

Mobile check deposit is convenient, but it is still a banking transaction. Before opening the app, make sure the check is payable to you, the amount is readable, the date is valid, and the check is signed by the payer. If the check is suspicious, altered, stale, postdated, made out to someone else, or payable to two people, ask the bank before depositing it by phone.

You also need the Bank of America mobile app installed on your iPhone, a working sign-in method, a supported deposit account, and a camera that can take clear photos. Use a private connection if possible. Avoid depositing checks on public Wi-Fi if you can use cellular data or a trusted network instead.

Step 1: Open the Bank of America App

Open the Bank of America app on your iPhone and sign in with your usual method. Depending on your settings, that may be password, Face ID, Touch ID, or another verification step. If the app asks for an update, consider updating before making a deposit because older app versions can behave differently.

After signing in, go to your accounts. Choose the checking or savings account where you want the check deposited. If you have more than one account, slow down and select the right one. Depositing into the wrong account can complicate your records.

Step 2: Find the Deposit Checks Feature

The app may show a button or menu item such as Deposit Checks, Deposit, or a similar mobile deposit option. It may appear from the account screen, a transfer menu, or a plus/action button. App layouts change over time, so use the label in the app rather than relying on an old screenshot.

If you do not see the feature, confirm that you are signed in to an eligible account, the app is updated, and mobile deposit is available for your account. Some checks, accounts, or situations may require an ATM or branch deposit instead.

Step 3: Choose the Deposit Account

The app will ask where the money should go. Choose the account carefully. If the account nickname is unclear, look at the last four digits or account type. For business accounts, make sure the check is payable to the business and that you are using the business account, not a personal account.

If you are depositing a check for shared household expenses, confirm where you want the funds recorded. Good recordkeeping matters even when the app makes the deposit easy.

Step 4: Enter the Exact Check Amount

Type the amount exactly as written on the check. Do not round. If the check says $128.43, enter 128.43. If the written amount and number amount do not match, do not deposit it until the payer corrects it or your bank tells you how to proceed.

Double-check the decimal point. A simple typing mistake can cause rejection or delay. If the app reads the amount automatically, still review it before submitting.

Step 5: Endorse the Back Correctly

Turn the check over and sign in the endorsement area. For mobile deposit, banks often require wording such as For mobile deposit only at Bank of America along with your signature. Follow the wording shown in the app if it gives specific instructions.

Do not endorse the check too early. Sign it when you are ready to deposit. A signed check is more risky if it is lost. Keep all writing inside the endorsement area so the image is easy to process.

Step 6: Photograph the Front

Place the check on a flat, dark, non-reflective background. Use bright, even light. Hold the iPhone directly above the check, not at a steep angle. Make sure all four corners are visible and the check fills most of the frame without cutting off edges.

The app may capture the image automatically when the check is aligned, or it may ask you to tap a button. If the photo is blurry, shadowed, cropped, or too bright, retake it. A few extra seconds here can prevent a rejected deposit.

Step 7: Photograph the Back

After the front image, the app will ask for the back. Make sure your endorsement is visible. Again, use a dark background and keep the check flat. If the back is mostly blank, the app still needs a clear image of the back side with your endorsement.

If the app says it cannot read the image, clean the camera lens, improve the lighting, flatten the check, and try again. Avoid placing the check on patterned surfaces.

Step 8: Review and Submit

Before tapping submit, review the account, amount, front image, back image, and any confirmation screen. Make sure the check belongs to you and that the amount is correct. If something looks wrong, go back and fix it before submission.

After submitting, wait for confirmation. The app may say the deposit was received, accepted, pending, or under review. These words matter. A deposit received message is not the same as final money that can never be returned.

Step 9: Save the Confirmation

Write down or screenshot the confirmation number if the app provides one. Record the date, check amount, payer, and account in your register or budgeting system. If you run a business, attach the confirmation to the invoice or customer record.

Do not deposit the same check twice. Duplicate deposits can cause reversals, fees, account restrictions, or delays.

Step 10: Store the Paper Check

Keep the paper check in a safe place after mobile deposit. Do not throw it away immediately. Wait until the bank confirms the deposit is accepted and the funds are available according to the bank’s timing rules. When you no longer need the check, destroy it securely.

A simple method is to write a small note on the front such as “mobile deposited” with the date after submission, then store it separately from undeposited checks. Do not write over important banking numbers.

When Mobile Deposit May Not Work

Mobile deposit may not be best for every check. Large checks, foreign checks, damaged checks, checks with poor printing, two-party checks, third-party checks, stale checks, or checks made payable to a business may require a branch or ATM. Deposit limits can also apply.

If the app rejects the check, do not keep trying over and over without understanding why. Read the message, check the endorsement, review the images, and consider a branch or ATM deposit.

Availability and Holds

Mobile deposit does not always mean instant money. The bank may make some funds available quickly and hold the rest. Timing can depend on the check type, amount, account history, submission time, business days, and risk review.

Before spending the money, check the available balance and any hold notice. If the check came from someone unfamiliar, be extra cautious. A check can be returned even after it appears in your account history.

Deposit Limits and Camera Problems

If the app will not accept the deposit, check whether the amount is above your mobile deposit limit or whether the check type is not eligible. Limits can vary by account and may change, so the number shown in your app is the one that matters.

If the camera will not capture the check, clean the lens, remove glare, use a darker background, and make sure the iPhone has camera permission for the app. If it still fails, an ATM or branch may be faster than repeated attempts.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Forgetting the required mobile deposit endorsement.
• Entering the wrong amount.
• Choosing the wrong account.
• Taking blurry or cropped photos.
• Depositing the same check twice.
• Throwing away the paper check too soon.
• Spending unfamiliar funds before the check is fully resolved.

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Final Takeaway

Depositing a check with the Bank of America iPhone app is straightforward when the check is eligible, endorsed correctly, photographed clearly, and reviewed before submission. The app saves a trip, but it does not remove the need for careful records, safe storage, and patience while the deposit is processed.