Smartphone use is now widespread. By 20211, there will likely be 298 million smartphone users in the US. Currently, 81% of Americans own a smartphone, up from just 35% in 2011, according to data from the Pew Research Center.

If you have an iPhone, you might use it to manage your finances by setting up automatic payments and transferring money. Even better, you may deposit checks by just using the banking app to take a picture of them.

Many banks and credit unions can use the camera on your phone along with a secure application to avoid going to the branch. If you've never deposited a check using your iPhone, here's how to accomplish it and what you need to do.

Can I Deposit Checks on My iPhone?

Previously, just a few banks would accept iPhone check deposits, but mobile banking is now more often used. The Federal Reserve found that about half of American adults with bank accounts used a mobile device to view their account information.

Not every bank or credit union offers mobile banking software or permits remote deposits.

Checks cannot be deposited using an iPhone; your bank must provide the service and create an application.

To deposit checks, download the bank's app onto your iPhone. Visit your bank's website or contact their customer service team for further information about the application. If you've been using the bank application for a while and want to deposit checks, you might need to switch to a newer version.

How to Deposit a Check: Six Steps

Check to deposit is surprisingly easy with an iPhone. The process is completed in six simple steps:

The check must first be endorsable for your account to receive a deposit. Your bank may offer comprehensive instructions on how to endorse it correctly. You might even receive a pop-up message from the app telling you what details are needed. For examples, Banks demands that you identify yourself and write the phrase "For digital depositing at Bank only" on the back of the check.

By clicking the "Deposit" option in your banking program, choose "Deposit" (or something similar). You might be required to enter information, such as the check's amount, or the app might automatically read it from the examination, depending on your bank and the check's writing.

Take pictures: The check's front and back should be photographed next. Most iPhone check-depositing apps simplify the procedure by describing what to do and when. The statement should be in the middle of the window, showing as a check. An image should be captured when you hit the shutter button on your iPhone's camera. Place the statement against a dark background in a well-lit setting for the best results.

Following the taking of your pictures, check the check data to ensure it is accurate. Once more, your open banking will probably walk you through in this procedure and ask for verification prior permitting users to upload the images.It might be necessary to confirm the account and routing details that the software would automatically read from the check. You can always take another picture if things don't look right.

Deposit submission: The transaction may be made if everything seems to be in order. Make sure you receive an email or screen confirmation from your bank. If you don't get a warranty and what happened, call the bank immediately to let them know.

Finally, after submitting the check, be sure not to deposit it again. A review is processed at the bank after it has been deposited using your iPhone. Contact your bank for advice on how to handle the check. You might need to mark the document as "Void" or "Electronically sent," keep it on file for 15 days or delete it to safeguard yourself and avoid legal problems.

You Are Safe?

Any good bank will make sure that communications is protected and that hackers cannot extract your bank details from wireless communications, so making a check deposit is riskier for the person who wrote the check because their account and routing numbers are being photographed and transmitted. Still, it is no more difficult for you since you've already provided your login credentials.

Keep your device updated and ensure your bank's mobile app is constantly updated to reduce the risk of problems.

What is the typical time it takes to deposit a mobile check?

After the initial $225 is made accessible at the beginning of the following banking day, the schedule is less strict. Still, you can generally anticipate the remaining funds to be accessible within two working days if a deposit is approved.

I attempted to deposit a mobile check. Why was it rejected?

Insufficient funds, fraud prevention, and blurry photos are common reasons a mobile check deposit might get rejected. Blurry photos are easy to fix by taking a second photo, but if that isn't the problem, then you may have to contact the bank or the person who wrote the check to find out more about why the deposit failed.