Having your bank account balances right on your wrist can be extremely convenient when you want to quickly check your available funds on the go. With the Apple Watch, you can leave your iPhone behind and still access up-to-date account information from compatible banking apps.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to set up banking apps on your Apple Watch and view real-time balances without taking out your phone.
Choosing a Banking App
The first step is choosing a banking app that offers Apple Watch compatibility. Most major banks now provide apps optimized for the wrist, but be sure to download the official app from your bank’s website or the App Store.
Here are some of the most popular banking apps with Apple Watch support:
- Chase – Download the Chase app to connect Chase bank accounts and credit cards.
- Bank of America – The Bank of America app allows you to check balances from BofA accounts.
- Wells Fargo – Add the Wells Fargo app to view balances from checking, savings, credit cards, and more.
- Citi – The Citi Mobile app lets you check Citi account balances on the Apple Watch.
- Capital One – Use the Capital One app for checking your Capital One account balances and transactions.
- TD Bank – TD Bank customers can download the TD Bank app to access account balances on their watch.
- Discover – Add the Discover app to check Discover credit card balances on the go.
- Local credit unions – Many credit unions offer Apple Watch-compatible apps to check balances from a credit union account.
I recommend finding a highly rated app from your primary bank or financial institution to get started. The setup process will be generally similar across banking apps.
Downloading and Setting Up Your Banking App
Once you’ve chosen a banking app, it’s time to download it and log in:
- On your iPhone paired to your Apple Watch, open the App Store. Search for your bank’s name and tap to download their official Apple Watch app.
- After downloading, open the app on your iPhone first. Enter your username and password to log into your bank account when prompted.
- Allow the banking app to access your location, contacts, notifications, or other requested permissions. This allows full Apple Watch functionality.
- Follow any on-screen setup instructions in the app specific to the bank. For example, you may need to enable Apple Watch connections in the app settings.
- Install the paired Apple Watch app by tapping the “Install on Apple Watch” button. The banking app icon will now install onto your watch.
- On your Apple Watch, open the newly installed banking app from the home screen and log in again if required by entering your bank account credentials.
Once the app is installed and you’re logged in, you’re ready to view your balances on your watch!
Checking Your Balances
Viewing your up-to-the-minute bank account balances is super easy with a compatible app set up on your Apple Watch:
- On the watch app’s main screen, your checking, savings, credit card, and other linked account balances should be prominently displayed.
- You can swipe down on the screen of your banking app to refresh the balances and ensure they’re up-to-date.
- Tap into each account balance shown for additional details like available credit, due dates, pending transactions, funds on hold, and more.
- Some bank apps allow you to customize which accounts and cards show on the Apple Watch app main screen. Arrange them for quick at-a-glance visibility of your most important balances.
- Want to check your balance discreetly? Silently raise your wrist and enter your passcode when prompted to unlock your watch. Your balances will be ready to view.
- Ask Siri to open your bank’s app and show your accounts. For example, “Open Chase and show me my checking account” will open the app and display your desired account balance.
Enabling Balance Notifications (Optional)
For extra convenience, you can set up optional notifications to get alerts about account balances right on your Apple Watch:
- In the iPhone companion app, go to Settings or Account Settings and find the notifications options.
- Enable and customize notifications for reaching a low or negative balance, exceeding a certain balance limit you define, deposits or withdrawals of a certain amount, and other account activity.
- When triggered on your accounts, notifications will buzz your Apple Watch. Tap to view details like the account balance change.
- Swipe left on a notification and tap Options to silence alerts for a certain period if desired.
- Important: For security, balance details will not be visible in notifications on your lock screen. But they can be read on the watch screen itself when unlocked.
Having your balances at a glance and getting instant notifications can help you stay on top of your accounts and quickly address any issues, without needing to take out your iPhone.
FAQs About Checking Balances on Apple Watch
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about accessing bank account balances on an Apple Watch:
How secure is it to check my balance on my Apple Watch?
It is very secure. Apple Watch banking apps require passcode, Touch ID, or Face ID access on your paired iPhone when initially setting them up. All communication between the watch and phone apps is encrypted. For added security, balance details are not shown in notifications displayed on your lock screen.
Do I need a cellular Apple Watch to check my balances anywhere?
No, any Apple Watch model can show balances as long as the watch is connected to your iPhone via Bluetooth, WiFi, or LTE if you have a cellular model. Your balances will update when the devices sync.
Can I transfer money between accounts in my bank’s Apple Watch app?
Some banking apps may allow transfers, like Chase QuickPay. But full transaction capabilities are generally limited on the smaller watch screen. It’s best to use the iPhone app for any transfers, payments, deposits, withdrawals, etc.
How current are the balances shown in my bank’s app?
Balances shown are current as of the last sync between your Apple Watch and iPhone companion app, so they should match what you see in the iPhone app if you refresh at the same time. Initiate a manual refresh by swiping down on your Watch banking app.
Will my banking app need access to personal data on my Apple Watch?
Bank apps may request access to contacts, location, motion & fitness and other data to enable certain features, but privacy permissions can be customized based on your comfort level. Only allow what you feel is appropriate.
Conclusion
Checking your account balances by simply raising your wrist to glance at your Apple Watch is the ultimate in convenience. Follow the steps outlined in this guide to get your preferred banking apps downloaded, set up properly, and start viewing your up-to-the-minute balances today.