Have you ever linked your Walmart account to Ibotta, enjoyed the automatic cash back, and then decided you'd prefer to manage your rebates manually or for some other reason want to unlink them? Perhaps you're encountering issues with automatic redemptions, or maybe you simply want more control over which offers you apply. Whatever your reason, unlinking your Walmart account from Ibotta is a straightforward process, and I'm here to guide you through it step-by-step!
Why Unlink? Understanding the Benefits of Disconnecting
Before we dive into the "how-to," let's quickly consider why someone might choose to unlink their Walmart and Ibotta accounts:
Manual Control: Linked accounts offer convenience, but sometimes you want to ensure you're only redeeming specific offers by manually submitting receipts.
Troubleshooting Issues: If you're experiencing discrepancies in your cash back or offers not being applied correctly, unlinking and relinking can often resolve these glitches.
Privacy Concerns: While Ibotta states they only receive purchase data and not payment information, some users prefer to limit data sharing.
Avoiding Double-Dipping Confusion: Walmart also has its own "Walmart Cash" program. If you have both linked, there can be confusion or even issues with which program gets the credit for a specific offer. By unlinking, you can ensure Ibotta is your primary focus for earning cash back on those items.
Ready to take control of your Ibotta earnings at Walmart? Let's get started!
Step 1: Get Ready - Accessing Your Ibotta App
Okay, let's begin! The first and most crucial step is to open your Ibotta app. Make sure you're logged in to your account. If you're not, take a moment to do so now. This entire process is managed directly within the Ibotta application, so having it open and ready is key.
Double-check your internet connection to ensure a smooth process.
Ensure your Ibotta app is updated to the latest version. Sometimes, older app versions might have slightly different menu layouts.
Step 2: Navigate to Your Profile Settings
Once you're in the Ibotta app, you'll need to find your way to the settings menu.
2.1 Locating the Menu Icon
Look for the dropdown menu icon (often represented by three horizontal lines, sometimes called a "hamburger menu") in the top-left corner of the app screen. This is your gateway to various account options.
2.2 Tapping on "Profile"
After tapping the menu icon, a side menu will typically slide out. Within this menu, you should see an option labeled "Profile." Go ahead and tap on that. This will take you to your personal account details and settings.
Step 3: Accessing Linked Accounts
Now that you're in your Profile section, the next step is to find where your linked retailers are managed.
3.1 Finding "Settings"
Within your Profile screen, look for an option that says "Settings." Tap on this to proceed.
3.2 Selecting "Linked Accounts"
Under the "Settings" menu, you'll find various categories. Search for and tap on "Linked accounts" (or something similar like "Loyalty accounts"). This is where Ibotta lists all the external accounts you've connected, including your Walmart account.
Step 4: The Unlinking Action
You're almost there! This is the final and most direct step to severing the connection.
4.1 Identifying Walmart
On the "Linked accounts" screen, you'll see a list of retailers you've connected with Ibotta. Carefully locate "Walmart" in this list.
4.2 Tapping "Unlink"
To the right of the Walmart entry, you will see a button or text that says "Unlink." Tap on this.
The app might prompt you with a confirmation message asking if you are sure you want to unlink the account. Read this message carefully and then confirm your decision. This usually involves tapping "Yes," "Confirm," or "Unlink" again.
Step 5: Confirming the Unlink and Refreshing Your App
Congratulations, you've initiated the unlinking process! There's just one more small but important step to ensure the changes take effect.
5.1 Returning to the Home Page
After confirming the unlink, navigate back to the Ibotta Home page.
5.2 Refreshing the App
To ensure the changes are fully processed and reflected, pull down on the screen with your thumb (the typical gesture for refreshing content in mobile apps). This will refresh the Ibotta app, updating its data and confirming that your Walmart account is no longer linked.
Optional: You can also try closing the Ibotta app completely and then reopening it to ensure a full refresh.
What Happens After Unlinking?
After successfully unlinking your Walmart account from Ibotta:
Automatic cash back for Walmart purchases will cease. You will no longer automatically receive credit for offers just by shopping with your linked payment method.
You will typically need to submit your Walmart receipts manually to earn cash back on offers. This involves scanning the receipt barcode through the Ibotta app after your shopping trip.
Any pending cash back from purchases made while the accounts were linked should still process. Unlinking only affects future transactions.
You can relink your Walmart account at any time if you decide to go back to automatic earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions related to unlinking your Walmart account from Ibotta, with quick answers:
How to relink my Walmart account to Ibotta if I change my mind?
You can easily relink by going to Profile > Settings > Linked accounts and tapping "Link" next to Walmart, then following the prompts to connect your account again.
How to ensure I still get cash back at Walmart after unlinking?
After unlinking, you must manually submit your Walmart receipts by scanning the barcode within the Ibotta app to earn cash back on applicable offers.
How to know if my Walmart account is successfully unlinked?
Go to Profile > Settings > Linked accounts. If "Walmart" no longer shows a "Unlink" option next to it, or isn't listed at all under linked accounts, it's successfully unlinked.
How to handle offers I've already added to my list for Walmart?
Offers you've added to your list remain there. If your account is unlinked, you'll need to submit a receipt for those offers to receive cash back.
How to prevent accidental relinking of my Walmart account?
Ibotta won't automatically relink your account. You would need to manually go through the linking process again if you choose to relink it.
How to troubleshoot if the "Unlink" option isn't available?
Ensure your Ibotta app is updated to the latest version. If the issue persists, contact Ibotta customer support through the app's "Help" or "Submit a request" section.
How to unlink other loyalty accounts from Ibotta?
The process is identical for other loyalty accounts: Profile > Settings > Linked accounts, then tap "Unlink" next to the desired retailer.
How to get help from Ibotta support if I have issues unlinking?
In the Ibotta app, go to the dropdown menu (top-left), tap "Help," and then you can usually find options to "Submit a request" or chat with support.
How to check if my payment method is still linked to Ibotta after unlinking Walmart?
Unlinking your Walmart account only affects the direct loyalty account connection, not your payment methods within Ibotta's "Pay with Ibotta" feature. You'd manage linked payment methods separately in your Ibotta settings if you've connected them for other purposes.
How to manage Walmart Cash versus Ibotta offers after unlinking?
By unlinking, you ensure that any offers you activate and redeem through Ibotta will go to your Ibotta earnings. You can continue to use Walmart Cash independently within the Walmart app for their specific offers.