Zelle has officially removed the ability to send or receive money through its standalone app as of April 1, 2025. Users are now required to access Zelle through their bank or credit union’s mobile banking app to continue using the service.
The company first announced this transition in an October 31, 2024, blog post, and the change has now been finalized, according to an FAQ page on Zelle’s website.
“More than 2,200 banks and credit unions across the U.S. now offer Zelle within their banking apps or online platforms,” the company stated. “Because of this growth, we have removed the ability to send or receive money through the standalone Zelle app as of April 1, 2025.”
What This Means for Zelle App Users
Users of the Zelle app are advised to check whether their financial institution supports Zelle by visiting the “Find Your Bank” page on Zelle’s website. If their bank or credit union offers Zelle, they must enroll through that institution’s app to continue using the service.
Those who already use Zelle within their banking app will experience no changes and do not need to take any action.
The FAQ page also noted:
- Users can view their payment history within the Zelle app until August 11, 2025.
- Payment history will not transfer from the Zelle app to a new banking app.
- Users should notify their contacts about the change if they previously received payments via the standalone Zelle app.
Why Zelle Is Making This Change
When Zelle launched, its standalone app was meant to serve consumers whose banks had not yet joined the network. However, as of October 2024, the share of transactions made through the app had dropped to just 2%, with the majority of users now accessing Zelle through their banking institutions.
After the removal of money transfer capabilities, the Zelle app will remain accessible but will be repurposed for consumer education on scams and fraud and will provide a list of participating banks and credit unions.
Zelle’s Growing Impact
Zelle remains a leader in peer-to-peer (P2P) payments, processing over $1 trillion in transactions in 2024—a record high for the service.
“Zelle has become the go-to P2P payment method for millions of hardworking Americans, and this milestone highlights the trust they place in us every day,” said Denise Leonhard, General Manager of Zelle, in a February 2025 press release.
As Zelle continues to evolve, users are encouraged to transition to their financial institution’s app to maintain seamless access to the service.
