Schwab Mobile Deposit™

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Deposit checks wherever you are.

  • It's easy. Make deposits to your eligible Schwab brokerage accounts or Schwab Bank accounts1 by simply taking pictures of your checks.2
  • It's convenient. There's no need to mail checks or make deposits at a Schwab branch, and most types of checks can be accepted by Mobile Deposit.
  • It's fast. Mobile deposits submitted before 4 p.m. local time within the contiguous U.S. will be processed the same business day.3
  • It's protected. We use the security measures you currently rely on at Schwab.com. And for added protection, passwords, check deposit records, and check images are not stored on your smartphone.

Schwab Mobile Deposit service is available for: iPhone: 3, 3GS and 4

Have questions or need assistance? Call us at 800-435-4000. If you're a Schwab client with an independent investment advisor, call Schwab Alliance at 800-515-2157.

Schwab Mobile Deposit service
is available for:

iPhone:  3, 3GS, and 4

Apply on your iPhone. It's easy.

Before you can start depositing checks with your iPhone, you'll need to apply for this service. You can apply quickly and easily on your iPhone.

What you need:

  • An iPhone with the latest update of Schwab's Mobile app. Get the app.
  • An eligible Schwab brokerage or Schwab Bank account1 in good standing.
    Open an account now.

How to apply:

On your iPhone, log in to Schwab Mobile.
1
Tap Deposit Check.
2
When the Apply for Schwab Mobile Deposit screen appears, tap Apply.
  • If you have both brokerage and bank accounts, you'll be asked to specify which account(s) to authorize for Mobile Deposit. Tap Schwab Brokerage, Schwab Bank, or Both, and then tap Apply.
  • While your application is being submitted, as noted by the spinning icon, do not answer calls or navigate away from the screen until the submission is complete.
3
If your application is approved, you can start depositing.
  • An email notification of your enrollment status will be sent to you within three business days. You can also check the status of your application on your mobile device.
  • If your application has been approved, just read and accept the Terms and Conditions and tap I consent and Submit. You may begin making mobile deposits.
4

Have questions or need assistance? Call us at 800-435-4000. If you're a Schwab client with an independent investment advisor, call Schwab Alliance at 800-515-2157.

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See how easy it is to make a deposit.

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Before you deposit:


  • You must be approved for the Schwab Mobile Deposit service. Find out how to apply.
  • Make sure your check is
    eligible for Mobile Deposit.
  • Endorse your check by simply signing your name as usual on the back. No other information is required.

How to make a deposit:

On your smartphone, log in to Schwab Mobile.
1
Tap Deposit Check.
2
If you have multiple Schwab accounts, you'll be asked to indicate your choice.
  • Please note that you cannot divide an individual check among two or more accounts.
3
Enter check amount.
4
Take clear pictures of both sides of your check. The back of the check should be endorsed with the signature of the payee.
Tips for taking successful pictures
  • Do: Make sure that your picture is in focus and that the entire check is in view.
  • Do: Ensure the check is well within the blue guidelines (smaller image is okay). The check image should not touch the blue guidelines.
  • Do: Take a picture of your check in a well-lit area. A dark, nonreflective background is best.
  • Do: Ensure there are no shadows crossing the check as you take the picture.
  • Do: Take a picture where you have good cell coverage.
  • Don't: Have clutter around the check when taking a picture.
  • Don't: Wrinkle or fold the check.
5
Tap Review Deposit and review all information for accuracy.
6
Tap Deposit.
  • A progress bar will indicate that your deposit is being transmitted to Schwab. Do not answer calls or navigate away from the screen until the submission is complete.
7
Receive a Deposit Acknowledgment.
  • After you've made your deposit, you'll see an
    acknowledgment
    with a reference number that confirms receipt of your check images and deposit information.
  • You are now ready to make another deposit, view the status of your deposit, or log out.
  • The status of the check deposit is available on the Deposit Status tab and will indicate a Processing, Deposited, or Unable to Process status.
  • When the deposit amount is posted to your account, the Deposit Status tab will show Deposited, and an email will also be sent to you confirming the deposit. Deposits made by 4 p.m. local time are generally posted to your account the same day. Please note that our standard deposit hold policies apply.
8

After you deposit:

  • Regularly review your deposit status to see when the check is posted to your account.
  • If your check cannot be posted for some reason, Schwab may ask you to redeposit it. Do so only if requested.
  • Once you have received a confirmation email that the check has posted, write ELECTRONICALLY PRESENTED across the top half of the face of the check.
  • Keep your check for 14 days after it has posted to your account.
  • Securely destroy the check 14 days after it has posted to your account.

Have questions or need assistance? Call us at 800-435-4000. If you're a Schwab client with an independent investment advisor, call Schwab Alliance at 800-515-2157.

Frequently Asked Questions

About the service

What is the Schwab Mobile Deposit service?
The Schwab Mobile Deposit service allows you to deposit a check directly into your eligible Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. brokerage or Charles Schwab Bank account by taking a picture of a check using your mobile smartphone.
Is the service available with any device?

No. This service is currently available on the iPhone®.

Note: This service is not available on the iPod touch®, iPad®, or iPad 2 due to camera resolution limitations.
Is the service available 24/7?
The remote deposit service can be used 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except when our system is unavailable due to needed maintenance. Generally, maintenance occurs once a month during nighttime hours. During that time, the app will display the following message: "Mobile Deposit Is Temporarily Unavailable."
What steps have been taken for security?
In addition to login ID and password, we use multiple security layers, including advanced encryption. For your added security, passwords and actual check deposit records or images are not stored on your mobile device.

Upon request, we can also provide you with a security token—a small device that creates an additional numeric password every time you log in.

Additional ways to ensure security:

Protect your password.

  • Don't keep your password in a location accessible to others.
  • Don't allow others to perform transactions for you.
  • Periodically change your password by logging in to Schwab.com.
  • Notify us if password security has been breached.

Review your statements promptly and report any problems.

Store your original checks in a safe place after depositing.

  • Mark each check ELECTRONICALLY PRESENTED.
  • Securely destroy each original check 14 days after it posts to your account.

Applying for service

Who is eligible for the service?
The Schwab Mobile Deposit service is subject to certain eligibility requirements, and enrollment is not guaranteed. In addition, certain account types are not eligible, such as retirement accounts and 529 plans. Also, mobile deposits to business accounts are not available at this time.
  • Once you are approved for enrollment in the service, only your eligible accounts will appear on your phone's drop-down Mobile Deposit menu.
Do I need to be a Schwab Mobile customer to use the Schwab Mobile Deposit service?
Yes, and downloading the Schwab Mobile app is convenient and simple. Get the app.
Do I need to apply for the Schwab Mobile Deposit service?
Yes. You must apply and be approved for enrollment prior to using Schwab's Mobile Deposit service. See How to Apply.
How long will it take for my application to be processed?
You will be sent an email notification of your enrollment status within three business days, but often the turnaround time is much shorter.
When can I start using the Schwab Mobile Deposit service?
You will be notified via your mobile device when your application has been approved. Once you read and accept the Terms and Conditions (tap I consent and Submit), you may begin making mobile deposits.

You will also receive an enrollment approval email with a copy of the Terms and Conditions for your records.

Depositing checks

Are all types of checks eligible for this service?
Checks must be issued by a U.S. bank in U.S. dollars. You may use the Schwab Mobile Deposit service to deposit original paper checks that are made payable to the name of the account holder or trust. Listed below are some checks that are not eligible for this service:
  • Checks payable to others
  • Checks that are not dated, are postdated, or are more than six months old
  • Checks payable to "Cash," "Charles Schwab," or "Charles Schwab Bank"
  • Traveler's checks
  • Checks that exceed your mobile daily deposit limit

For a full list, please see the Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Mobile Deposit Service Terms and Conditions and the Charles Schwab Bank Mobile Deposit Service Terms and Conditions. Please note: Only Schwab clients can access the full list.

How long does it take to submit a check deposit?
The transmission time required to upload check images will vary depending on what the signal strength of your cellular network is, whether you are using Wi-Fi, and other factors.
May I make multiple check deposits in the same session?
You can only submit one check deposit at a time. However, you may make additional deposits by simply tapping Deposit Another Check once you have received confirmation that your previous deposit has been received.
Is there a limit to the amount of money I may deposit using this service?
Yes. There is a limit on the amount you may deposit each day. Your daily deposit limit amount is clearly indicated on the Deposit screen, just under the Amount field.
How will I know if my check has been received and posted?
You will receive a reference number at the end of each check deposit that confirms receipt of your check images and deposit information. This is an acknowledgment of receipt and does not mean that the transmission was complete. When your deposit has been reviewed and approved, it will be posted to your account and will appear on the Deposit Status screen with a Deposited status. You will also receive an email from Schwab confirming the posting of your deposit.
What do I do with my check after it has been posted to my account?
On the top half of the face of the check, conspicuously mark in ink ELECTRONICALLY PRESENTED immediately after you receive confirmation that the check has posted to your account. Regularly review your deposit transactions online or on the Deposit Status tab of your mobile phone to determine when the check has posted to your account.
  • If your deposit cannot be posted for some reason, Schwab may ask you to redeposit the check. Do so only if requested.
  • Securely retain your checks for 14 days after the checks are posted to your account.
  • Securely destroy your checks 14 days after the checks are posted to your account.
When will my funds be posted to my account?
Deposits submitted on normal business days before 4 p.m. local time within the contiguous U.S. will be posted to your account the same day. Deposits made after 4 p.m. or on weekends or holidays will be posted the next business day. Please note that our standard hold policies apply.
How will I know if there's a problem with my deposit?
You may receive an error message on your smartphone at the time of your deposit, or you may receive an email after Schwab has reviewed the deposit. (You'll also see Unable to Process on the Deposit Status screen.)

Common reasons for an error or "Unable to Process" message include:

  • Poor image quality. If this occurs, please take another picture of the front and back of the check and resubmit.
  • Duplicate check. It is important to be sure that the same check is not deposited again, whether through your mobile phone, through the mail, or in Schwab branches. This problem can be avoided by writing ELECTRONICALLY PRESENTED on the top half of the face of the check, after it has posted to your account, as indicated above.
  • Ineligible check. If this occurs, you should deposit the check by mail or at a Schwab branch.
  • Stop payment. A check with a stop-payment order may not be deposited.
  • Over client limit. If this occurs, you should deposit the check by mail or at a Schwab branch.
  • Over account limit. If this occurs, you should deposit the check by mail or at a Schwab branch.
  • Missing endorsement, date, or amount. If this occurs, Schwab will send you an email notification asking you to correct the check and redeposit it via Schwab Mobile.

Have questions or need assistance? Call us at 800-435-4000. If you're a Schwab client with an independent investment advisor, call Schwab Alliance at 800-515-2157.

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System availability and response times are subject to market conditions and mobile connection limitations. Trades received outside normal market hours will be entered for the next business day.

Apple, the Apple logo, and iTunes are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. iTunes Store is a service mark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

©2011 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. All rights reserved.
Member SIPC.  CS13723-02 (0511-2509)  ELC62086 (05/11)

System availability and response times are subject to market conditions and mobile connection limitations. Trades received outside normal market hours will be entered for the next business day.

Android is a trademark of Google Inc. Use of this trademark is subject to Google's permission.

©2011 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. All rights reserved.
Member SIPC.  CS13723-02 (0511-2509)  ELC62086 (05/11)

System availability and response times are subject to market conditions and mobile connection limitations. Trades received outside normal market hours will be entered for the next business day.

Apple, the Apple logo, and iTunes are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. iTunes Store is a service mark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

©2011 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. All rights reserved.
Member SIPC.  CS13723-02 (0511-2509)  ELC62086 (05/11)

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