What is mobile check deposit and how does it work?

As financial technology evolves, banks, credit unions and other financial institutions have found ways to make online banking and digital money management more convenient for users. Mobile banking apps—including the Capital One Mobile app—let you check account balances and transfer money from your mobile device. And you can even deposit paper checks from virtually anywhere using your smartphone or tablet.

But what exactly is mobile check deposit, and how does it work? Also, is it a safe way to deposit money into your Capital One account? Read on for a step-by-step guide to the Capital One mobile check deposit process.

Key takeaways

• Mobile check deposit is a way to deposit a paper check through your banking app using a smartphone or tablet.
• You can usually deposit U.S. personal, business or government checks, but there may be exclusions.
• Capital One customers can download the Capital One Mobile app to start making mobile deposits today.

Mobile check deposit is exactly that: a way to deposit a paper check using a mobile device. Traditionally, you’d need to track down an ATM or visit your bank or credit union to deposit a check. But mobile deposit allows you to snap a picture of the check using your smartphone or tablet camera and upload it through your mobile banking app.

The types of checks you can deposit can vary depending on which financial institution you use. For instance, Capital One customers can generally deposit U.S. personal, business or government checks with their mobile banking app—but there may be exclusions. These could include: 

• Checks that are undated, more than six months old or postdated
• Checks payable to anyone other than you or a joint account holder
• Checks payable to cash
• Traveler’s checks
• Money orders
• Foreign checks

For more information on the types of checks you can deposit through your Capital One Mobile app, check out these mobile deposit terms and conditions.

Mobile check deposit works by using a service called remote deposit capture. Think of it like scanning a document onto your computer. Essentially, remote deposit capture lets you take a digital image of your check. Your financial institution will then collect the images and process your deposit.

In most cases, mobile check deposits aren’t instantaneous. You may have to wait at least one business day for the mobile deposit to process, and some banks may also have a cutoff time for deposits. If you deposit a check after that time, you may have to wait another business day for it to process. 

Tip: Capital One customers can typically access their funds the next business day. But if you deposit a check using your mobile app after 9 p.m. ET, your check may take additional time to process.

Most banks and financial institutions—including Capital One—use advanced security features to keep your account safe. For example, Capital One protects your mobile deposits with encryption and device recognition technology. 

Also, your check deposit information and photos won’t be stored on your smartphone. And using mobile check deposit can even make some types of check fraud more difficult. For instance, a thief may not be able to steal a check if you use your mobile device to deposit it quickly and then properly void or destroy it after the deposit is confirmed.

That said, there are some steps you can take to help protect your financial information when making a mobile check deposit: 

• Use a strong password. Using a complex password—a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters or symbols—is one of the most effective ways to help keep your account safe.
• Set up two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a security measure used to help verify your identity when you log in to your account. For instance, you may use Face ID initially, then have to input a PIN sent to your cellphone via text message. Enabling 2FA can help reduce the risk of someone else gaining access to your account.
• Avoid unsecured or public Wi-Fi networks when banking. Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to avoid using public Wi-Fi when performing any tasks that involve transferring sensitive information, like making a mobile deposit. Make sure you’ve got a secure connection before logging in to your account, or use your smartphone’s data connection instead.
• Enable mobile security alerts. Many mobile banking apps offer mobile security notifications or SMS text alerts, which can help you stay on top of potentially fraudulent activity. For example, Capital One Mobile app users can set up SMS fraud alerts from Eno, the Capital One virtual assistant. If Eno notices any unusual activity, it can reach out with a text message.
• Stay on top of phishing scams. Phishing is a type of scam that occurs when fraudsters pretend to be legitimate sources, like your bank or credit card company, to access personal information. Phishing scams can take the form of text messages, emails or phone calls. And, in many cases, they look or sound deceptively similar to an official bank communication. To help protect your digital identity, avoid clicking links in emails or text messages. Instead, navigate directly to your banking app or its website.

Ready to make a mobile deposit using your Capital One Mobile app? Here’s how to deposit a check on the go using your smartphone or tablet.

In some cases, you may be limited on how much you can deposit per transaction, or on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Luckily, you can find that information in the Capital One Mobile app. Before you upload a photo of your check, the app will alert you to any applicable limits. If your check exceeds that amount, you can use the app’s branch locator to find an ATM or branch near you.

Next, endorse the check you wish to deposit—just like you would if you were depositing it at your local branch. Capital One customers should write For Capital One mobile deposit below their signature on the back of the check before taking photos and uploading them through the mobile app.

Log in to your Capital One Mobile banking app and select the account you want to deposit the check into, then click the Deposit option next to the camera icon. Then, input the deposit amount and any other requested information.

Once you’ve added the deposit amount, it’s time to take a picture of your check. For best results, place your check on a flat, dark-background surface to improve clarity. Make sure all four corners of the check fit within the on-screen frame to avoid any processing holdups. Then, hit the camera icon in your mobile app to open the camera.

Once you’ve taken a clear photo of the front of the check, repeat the process on the back of the check.

Review the details of your check after uploading the images and ensure that the information is correct. Swipe the Slide to Deposit button to submit the deposit. 

Your deposit request may have gone through, but it’s still a good idea to hold on to your check for a few days. Capital One recommends keeping the check in a safe, secure place until you see the full amount deposited in your account. After the deposit is confirmed, you can safely destroy the check.

Mobile check deposit could fail for a number of reasons, including: 

• Weak internet connection
• Images that are too dark, are too light or cut off parts of the check
• Unclear or missing information on the check
• Glitches within the mobile banking app

If you receive an error message, take some time to ensure you’ve endorsed the check, signed your full name, and verified the deposit amount and account details. Then, try taking new pictures. If your deposit request still doesn’t go through, you may consider reaching out to your financial institution for assistance.

Still curious about mobile check deposit? Check out these answers to frequently asked questions.

Mobile check deposit is a fast, convenient way to deposit funds using your mobile device. And as financial technology and digital money management tools continue to evolve, the process has become safer and easier than ever before.

Ready to start managing your bank account on the go? Download the Capital One Mobile app today to monitor your accounts, send money to friends and family using Zelle® and deposit checks with a few taps of your finger.