Zelle App Shut Down: How Payments Could Be Impacted

Zelle, one of the most widely used digital payment services in the United States, shut down money transferring services available on its stand-alone mobile app on April 1.

The service itself is not disappearing, but some Zelle users must transition how they access the tool.

Why It Matters

Zelle is a key player in the peer-to-peer payment market. It facilitates fast transfers without fees between bank accounts and has become a foundational tool for consumers and small businesses alike.

The change only affects those who use the Zelle app independently of a bank app, credit union or website. Users of the stand-alone Zelle app must re-enroll with one of over 2,200 participating banks or credit unions that offer Zelle through their digital banking apps or websites.

What Is Happening to the App?

Zelle app users can still access the app, but it may look a little different.

The Zelle app currently provides a list of the more than 2,200 banks and credit unions that offer Zelle. According to a press release, the app will be dedicated to consumer education about scams and fraud.

An in-app alert accessed on April 4 indicates that users can log in to the app until August 11, 2025.

Why Is Zelle Shutting Down the App?

The company announced the shutdown in October 2024, indicating that the “vast majority” of Zelle’s users access the service through their bank’s apps or websites.

Since then, the business has been phasing out the ability to enroll and transact within the stand-alone app. In late 2024, the company notified users again via in-app alerts and email that they would need to migrate to a bank or credit union offering Zelle to continue making payments.

In an online statement, Zelle cited its growth as the reason for the shift, stating: “Consumers and small businesses moved nearly half a trillion dollars on Zelle in the first half of this year, up 28 percent year-over-year.”

The app was created when Zelle launched in 2017 and was intended for consumers whose banks or credit unions had not yet joined the network. Since then, most banks and credit unions adopted Zelle and integrated it into their apps.

“The adoption and growth of Zelle since 2017 is a testament to the valuable role the service plays and the national consumer demand for a way to send and receive funds from people they know and trust directly from their insured and regulated bank accounts,” a press release from the company states.

The move could also be tied to reducing security risks. As fraud targeting payment apps has increased, routing users through vetted financial institutions can provide additional protection and oversight.

When Did the App Shut Down?

The Zelle stand-alone app officially stopped processing transactions on April 1, 2025.

How Will My Payments Be Affected?

Users of the stand-alone Zelle app can no longer send or receive money via the app. To continue using Zelle, they must re-enroll through a bank or credit union’s mobile app or website.

Individuals who fail to re-enroll through a partner institution must notify senders accordingly.

Visit enroll.zellepay.com to check if a bank supports the service. Once a user logs into a bank’s mobile app or website, they can typically find Zelle under the “Payments” or “Transfers” section. The switch may require re-verifying an email address or phone number previously associated with a Zelle account.

Those using Zelle through their mobile banking app will not face any changes and will not need to take action.

How Many People Use Zelle?

As of June 2024, 143 million consumer and small business user accounts were enrolled to use Zelle. Last year, the same group sent money 1.7 billion times.

The app’s integration into nearly all major U.S. banks suggests Zelle will remain dominant in the payment space.