How To Change Your PayPal Business Account To Personal

So, you started with a PayPal Business account—maybe to test the waters with freelancing, side gigs, or running a small store.

But now, you don’t need the business features anymore, and the personal account feels like a better fit.

Makes sense. You’re not alone. A lot of people sign up for a business account thinking they’ll need all those extra tools, then realize later it’s overkill.

The thing is, PayPal doesn’t make it super clear how to switch back. No magic button just says “Change to Personal.” That’s where this guide comes in.

I’ll walk you through everything you need to know—step by step—so you don’t get stuck wondering what to do next.

I’ll also explain what changes when you go from Business to Personal, how to avoid common mistakes, and what you should watch out for before making the switch.

Let’s get into it.

Why You Might Want To Switch To A Personal Account

A PayPal Business account is great if you’re:

• Selling online regularly

• Sending or receiving large payments from clients

• Managing a team or using business tools like invoicing and subscriptions

But if you’re:

• Just sending money to friends or family

• Shopping online

• Occasionally receiving payments from people you know

…then a Personal account is probably all you need.

Also, Business accounts can come with extra fees, stricter account reviews, and a bit more complexity you may not need.

Plus, with a personal account, there’s less pressure around tax forms, business name visibility, and tracking tools.

So if you’re no longer selling stuff or running a business, switching to Personal can make your life easier.

Can You Switch From Business To Personal On PayPal?

Yes—but not directly from your dashboard.

PayPal doesn’t have an automatic feature that lets you toggle between Business and Personal.

You have to contact PayPal’s customer support and ask them to make the change for you. It’s not hard, but it’s not super obvious either.

What Changes When You Switch?

Before going further, it’s good to know what changes:

So, if you’re fine using your real name, don’t need fancy tools, and just want a simpler PayPal experience, switching to Personal could be a better fit.

How do I Change From Business To Personal?

Here’s how you can request the switch:

1. Log In To Your PayPal Account

Go to paypal.com and log in as usual.

2. Go To The Help Center

Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Help.

Or you can go directly to: PayPal Help Center

3. Search for “Change Business to Personal”

Use the search bar and type: “change business account to personal account”. This will show you the general info, but to request the change, you’ll need to message support.

4. Click “Message Us” or “Contact Us”

You should see an option like Message Us or Contact Customer Support. Click that.

5. Type Your Request

Write something simple like:

“Hi, I’d like to change my PayPal Business account to a Personal account. I no longer need the business features. Can you help me make the switch?”

6. Wait For A Response

You’ll usually get a reply within a few hours to a day. Sometimes they’ll ask for confirmation or a bit more info, but often it’s quick.

Note: You can also call PayPal if you prefer to speak to someone. In the U.S., the number is usually 1-888-221-1161 (check the PayPal Contact Page for your country’s number and hours).

Things To Keep In Mind

You Won’t Lose Your Transaction History

Everything stays in your account—past payments, messages, receipts, etc.

You Can’t Have Two Accounts With The Same Email

If you’re thinking of closing your Business account to open a new Personal one, you’ll need to use a different email—or close the Business account first.

No Fee To Switch

PayPal doesn’t charge you to downgrade your account.

FAQs

Can I have both a Business and a Personal account?

Yes, but they need to have different email addresses. You can use the same name, phone number, and bank account if needed.

Will switching affect my PayPal balance?

Nope. Your balance stays the same. It’s just the account type that changes.

Can I still receive payments after switching to Personal?

Yes, you can still receive money. But it’ll be under your name, not a business or brand name.

What if I change my mind?

You can always ask PayPal to upgrade back to a Business account later if you start selling again.

What if I’m outside the U.S.?

The process is pretty much the same worldwide. But if you’re in a different region, the help links might direct you to your country’s version of PayPal.

Quick Tip: Check Before You Switch

Before asking for the change, review your recent activity. Make sure you:

• Don’t have any unresolved disputes or claims

• Aren’t mid-way through selling something

• Don’t have any ongoing subscriptions or automatic payments tied to business tools

If any of those are active, it’s better to wrap them up before switching to avoid hiccups.

Final Thoughts

Switching your PayPal Business account to a Personal one is totally doable—you just need to go through support to make it happen.

It’s a good move if you’re not running a business anymore and want to simplify your online payments. The process doesn’t take long, and once it’s done, using PayPal can feel a lot easier.

Now I’m curious—have you tried switching your PayPal account before? Or are you just now thinking about it? Let me know what your experience has been like or if you ran into any roadblocks. I’m happy to help.