To close a U.S. PayPal account, sign in through PayPal's website, open Settings using the gear icon, choose Account or Account Options, and select Close your account. Before confirming, transfer out any available balance, cancel recurring payments, save your records, and deal with pending refunds, disputes, limitations, or transfers.

Closing an account isn't the same as canceling a subscription, deleting the PayPal app, or paying off PayPal Credit. This information is for U.S. users. Menu names and closure requirements can differ by account type and country. Review the PayPal U.S. User Agreement for the terms that apply to your account.

Decide What You Need to Cancel

You may be able to solve the problem without closing your entire account:

If you only want to stop using PayPal, canceling automatic payments and removing unused payment methods may be less disruptive than permanent closure.

What to Do Before Closing Your PayPal Account

Take these steps while you can still sign in and access your account.

  1. Transfer out available money. Send the balance to a linked bank account or another eligible destination. Review the fee and estimated delivery time shown for the transfer you choose. Fees and availability can vary by method, currency, and account.
  2. Review pending activity. Check for pending payments, transfers, refunds, withdrawals, and money requests. Account closure doesn't resolve every transaction automatically.
  3. Cancel automatic payments. Stop recurring charges one at a time in PayPal's automatic-payment settings. If the subscription also exists in the merchant's system, cancel it there too.
  4. Download your records. Save statements, transaction history, receipts, tax documents, dispute messages, and business reports. Normal access to this information may end after closure.
  5. Deal with limitations and disputes. Read notices in the Resolution Center, provide requested documents, and record case numbers. An active limitation, unresolved issue, or remaining funds can make the close option unavailable.
  6. Update connected services. Replace PayPal payment buttons, checkout links, donation pages, invoicing tools, marketplace connections, and other integrations before closing.
  7. Review promotional credits. Unused promo codes, referral bonuses, or discounts tied to the account may not remain available after closure.

Save receipts, messages, tracking details, and other evidence for transactions that could later involve a refund, dispute, or bank investigation.

How to Close a Personal PayPal Account

A web browser is usually the simplest option because app navigation can change by version and region.

  1. Sign in to PayPal through a browser.
  2. Select the gear icon to open Settings.
  3. Open the Account or Account Options tab.
  4. Scroll to the account-closure section and select Close your account.
  5. Read the warnings and any notice about outstanding items.
  6. Complete any confirmation or identity-verification prompt.
  7. Confirm the closure, then save the confirmation screen or email.

The option may be unavailable if the account has a balance, pending issue, or limitation. Resolve the problem first, or contact PayPal through Help or Contact while you're still signed in.

Closing an Account in the PayPal App

Open Profile or Settings, then look under Account for the closure option. The path can differ on iPhone, Android, and different app versions.

Can't find it? Try these steps:

How to Close a PayPal Business Account

Business accounts need extra preparation because customers, employees, vendors, and payment systems may still depend on them.

  1. Export transaction history, settlement reports, invoices, refunds, and tax records from Activity or the business reporting area.
  2. Reconcile the PayPal balance with your accounting records.
  3. Resolve open claims, disputes, chargebacks, limitations, and pending withdrawals.
  4. Cancel automatic payments, merchant subscriptions, recurring invoices, and services billed through PayPal.
  5. Notify customers and vendors about the replacement payment method.
  6. Replace PayPal buttons, checkout links, donation forms, and marketplace connections.
  7. Move the remaining balance after checking for pending refunds or reversals.
  8. Open Settings, choose Account or Account Options, and select Close your account.
  9. Save the confirmation and keep the exported records.

Closing the business account can interrupt connected e-commerce, invoicing, donation, and payment systems. It also doesn't end separate contracts with customers, vendors, lenders, or software providers.

How to Cancel PayPal Automatic Payments

You can stop a recurring PayPal payment without closing your account.

  1. Sign in to PayPal.
  2. Open Settings.
  3. Select Payments.
  4. Choose Automatic Payments or Manage automatic payments.
  5. Select the merchant.
  6. Choose Cancel or Cancel automatic payment.
  7. Check that the status changes to canceled and save the confirmation.

This normally stops future charges authorized through PayPal. It doesn't automatically refund a payment that already went through, and it may not cancel a subscription maintained in the merchant's own system. Cancel the subscription with the merchant as well.

If the merchant has your card or bank details directly, cancel that separate authorization too. A PayPal cancellation doesn't necessarily stop a charge made outside PayPal.

Pending Refunds, Disputes, and Unauthorized Payments

Closing the account isn't a substitute for resolving a payment problem.

Pending refunds

The destination of a refund depends on the original payment method and transaction status. Ask the merchant when the refund was issued, request a reference number, and confirm how it will be delivered if the PayPal account is closed. If the original payment used a card or bank account and the refund doesn't appear, contact that financial institution.

Don't rely on a blanket 30-day refund rule or one universal dispute deadline. Timing and available procedures depend on the transaction and payment method. Check the transaction details and the terms for the relevant payment rail.

Open disputes and claims

Save receipts, tracking information, photographs, messages, and case numbers before closing. If PayPal requests a response or evidence, follow the date in its notice. Contact PayPal before closure if the case is still open, since closing may limit your ability to manage it online.

Unauthorized activity

Report an unrecognized payment before closing the account. Change your password, review recent activity, and keep copies of the transaction details. When the payment was funded through a card or bank account, contact that institution too. Its error or fraud procedures are separate from PayPal's account-closure process.

Xoom Transfers and PayPal Installments

Xoom

Xoom transfers follow the transfer's status and Xoom's procedures. A pending transfer may show a cancellation option, while a sent or collected transfer may require prompt support contact. Review the transfer in Xoom before closing PayPal; account closure doesn't automatically cancel or refund it.

PayPal Credit and Pay Later

Closing PayPal doesn't by itself:

Continue making required payments. Contact the relevant lender or card issuer about another payment method, and keep confirmation of the balance and any replacement arrangement.

Why the Close Account Option May Be Missing

Problem What to do
Money remains in the account Transfer the available balance and wait for pending credits or refunds to clear.
An account limitation is active Read the limitation notice, submit requested information, and contact PayPal if the restriction blocks closure.
A dispute or claim is open Save the evidence and ask PayPal how to resolve or manage the case before closing.
The app doesn't show the option Try the website, update the app, and check the Account section instead of deleting the app.
You can't complete verification Confirm that your phone and email are accessible. Use PayPal's official support route if you're locked out.
A business service is still connected Migrate checkout, invoices, donations, or marketplace payments before closing.
You suspect account takeover Secure the account and report the activity before attempting closure.

Don't create a second account to bypass a limitation or verification problem. That can create additional account and compliance issues.

What Happens After You Close PayPal?

Plan on losing normal sign-in and account-history access after confirmation. Save anything you may need for taxes, warranties, refunds, disputes, or business accounting beforehand.

Keep these points in mind:

If data deletion is your main reason for leaving, ask PayPal about its privacy-request process separately from account closure. Don't assume that closing the profile creates a universal 30-day deletion deadline.

Can You Recover a Closed PayPal Account?

Treat closure as permanent for planning purposes. Don't confirm it while important records, refunds, or disputes remain unresolved.

If you closed the account accidentally, contact PayPal promptly using the former email address and any available case or confirmation number. Support may be able to help with transaction records or funds, but don't assume the same account can be restored.

Common Questions

Can I close PayPal with money in my balance?

Usually, you'll need to transfer out the available balance first. Pending refunds, reversals, or limitations may also prevent closure or require support assistance.

Does closing PayPal cancel subscriptions?

Not necessarily. Cancel each automatic payment in PayPal and cancel the subscription with the merchant. A past payment isn't refunded simply because the account was closed.

Does deleting the PayPal app close my account?

No. Removing the app only removes it from your device. Use the account-closure option in PayPal's website or app settings.

Will closing PayPal delete my transaction history?

You may lose account access, but closure doesn't guarantee that every record is erased. Download your history first and ask PayPal separately about privacy or deletion requests.

Can I close PayPal while I have PayPal Credit or Pay Later payments?

Closing the PayPal profile doesn't cancel a separate credit agreement or outstanding installment balance. Keep making payments and contact the lender or card issuer about payment arrangements.

Before selecting the final confirmation, account for the balance, cancel automatic payments, save records, and check for any refund, dispute, transfer, or credit obligation that still needs attention. If one remains unresolved, keep the account open until you have a documented next step.