Auto-transfer rules move money between your Relay accounts automatically. Set one up to split incoming deposits, cap an account balance, or allocate cash using the Profit First method.
What you need before you start
To create or edit an auto-transfer rule, you need the right role and the right accounts.
Administrator permissions on the Relay account, or Super Administrator permissions if you're an advisor
A checking account to use as the source (savings accounts cannot be sources)
One or more destination accounts already open in your Relay account
For a Split incoming deposits rule: a total allocation greater than 0% and no more than 100%
For a Maximum balance or Profit First rule: destination allocations that total exactly 100%
What kinds of auto-transfer rules can I create in Relay?
Relay offers three auto-transfer rule types, each built for a different cash management pattern.
Split incoming deposits transfers a percentage of every incoming deposit from one source account to one or more destination accounts. Allocations can be less than 100%; anything unallocated stays in the source. Example: send 15% of each deposit to Tax and 10% to Profit, leaving 75% in the source account.
Maximum balance caps an account at a set dollar amount and moves any excess to your destination accounts on the frequency you choose. Example: keep $5,000 in your Income account and sweep anything above that into other accounts.
Profit First is built for businesses running the Profit First method. It sets a maximum balance on your Income account and allocates the excess into your Profit First accounts (Profit, Tax, Owner's Comp, OpEx) using pre-filled percentages you can edit before saving.
How do I create a Split incoming deposits rule?
Follow these steps on the web or in the mobile app.
On the web:
Sign in to your Relay account.
From your Home page, click Accounts.
Click Auto-transfer Rules.
Under Create auto-transfer rule, select Split Incoming Deposits.
Choose a Nickname for your new auto-transfer rule.
Choose the source account. This is the account where incoming deposits will land.
Choose the destination account and enter the percentage of each incoming deposit you want to transfer.
To split deposits across more than one account, click +Add Account and enter the next destination account and percentage.
Review the total percentage allocated. Any percentage that is not allocated will remain in the source account.
Review and Confirm your new Auto-Transfer Rule.
On the mobile app:
Sign in to the Relay app on your mobile device.
From your Home page, tap Move money.
Tap Auto-transfer rules.
Select Split incoming deposits.
Choose a Nickname for your new auto-transfer rule.
Choose the source account. This is the account where incoming deposits will land.
Choose the destination account and enter the percentage of each incoming deposit you want to transfer.
Add more destination accounts, if needed.
Tap Next.
Review the details, then tap Save auto-transfer rule.
How do I create a Maximum balance rule?
Use a Maximum balance rule when you want to keep a source account under a fixed dollar cap and sweep the excess into other accounts on a set frequency.
On the web:
Sign in to your Relay account.
From your Home page, click Accounts.
Click Auto-transfer Rules.
Under Create auto-transfer rule, select Maximum Balance Rule.
Give your rule a nickname.
Select a transfer frequency.
Choose the source account and set the maximum balance you want to keep in that account.
Select the destination account or accounts and enter the percentage allocation for each one.
Click Create auto-transfer rule.
Review and Confirm your new Auto-Transfer Rule.
On the mobile app:
Sign in to the Relay app on your mobile device.
From your Home page, tap Move money.
Tap Auto-transfer rules.
Select Maximum balance rule.
Give your rule a nickname.
Select a transfer frequency.
Choose the source account and set the maximum balance you want to keep in that account.
Select the destination account or accounts and enter the percentage allocation for each one.
Tap Next.
Review the details, then tap Save auto-transfer rule.
How do I create a Profit First rule?
A Profit First rule uses your Income account as the source and allocates the excess into your Profit First destination accounts (Profit, Tax, Owner's Comp, OpEx) using pre-filled percentages you can edit before saving.
On the web:
Sign in to your Relay account.
From your Home page, click Accounts.
Click Auto-transfer Rules.
Under Create auto-transfer rule, select Profit First Rule.
Give your rule a nickname.
Select a transfer frequency.
Choose your Income account and set the maximum balance you want to keep in that account.
Review the pre-filled Profit First allocations and make any changes needed.
Click Create auto-transfer rule.
Review and Confirm your new Auto-Transfer Rule.
On the mobile app:
Sign in to the Relay app on your mobile device.
From your Home page, tap Move money.
Tap Auto-transfer rules.
Select Profit First rule.
Give your rule a nickname.
Select a transfer frequency.
Choose your Income account and set the maximum balance you want to keep in that account.
Review the pre-filled Profit First allocations and make any changes needed.
Tap Next.
Review the details, then tap Save auto-transfer rule.
When should I use the Instant frequency option?
Choose the Instant frequency when you want a rule to run within seconds of a triggering transaction, rather than on a scheduled cadence.
Instant works with Maximum balance and Profit First rules. When a transaction pushes your source account above the maximum balance, the rule fires automatically and the transfer typically completes within seconds. Instant is a fit if you need real-time cash allocation between accounts, for example moving surplus into Tax the moment a large deposit lands.
Limits to know when using Instant:
One Instant rule per source account
A source account in one Instant rule cannot be a destination in another Instant rule, and vice versa
An account cannot be both the source and destination in the same Instant rule
Switching an existing rule to Instant does not run it immediately; the rule fires when the next qualifying transaction meets its conditions
Scheduled rules (any frequency other than Instant) run at approximately 2 a.m. Eastern Time on their scheduled dates.
How do I edit an auto-transfer rule?
On the web:
Sign in to your Relay account.
From your Home page, click Accounts.
Click Auto-transfer Rules.
Under Active Rules, find the rule you want to edit.
Click the three dots next to the rule.
Click Edit auto-transfer rule.
Make your changes.
Review your changes and save your new auto-transfer rule.
On the mobile app:
Sign in to the Relay app on your mobile device.
From your Home page, tap Move money.
Tap Auto-transfer rules.
Under Consult your auto-transfer rules, find the rule you want to edit.
Tap the three dots next to the rule.
Tap Edit auto-transfer rule.
Make your changes.
Tap Next.
Review the details, then tap Save auto-transfer rule.
How do I pause or delete an auto-transfer rule?
Deactivate a rule to pause it without losing the setup. Delete a rule to remove it permanently.
On the web:
Sign in to your Relay account.
From your Home page, click Move money.
Click Auto-transfer rules.
Under Your Auto-Transfer Rules, find the rule you want to manage.
Click the three dots next to the rule.
To pause the rule, switch the rule to inactive.
To permanently remove the rule, click Delete auto-transfer rule.
On the mobile app:
Sign in to the Relay app on your mobile device.
From your Home page, click Accounts.
Tap Auto-transfer rules.
Under Your auto-transfer rules, find the rule you want to manage.
Select the toggle switch to mark the rule inactive.
Alternatively, tap the three dots next to the rule and select Delete Auto-Transfer Rule to permanently remove the rule.
Common issues
The rule will not save because allocations do not add up to 100%. Maximum balance and Profit First rules require destination allocations that total exactly 100%. Adjust the percentages and try again.
You cannot select a savings account as the source. Savings accounts cannot be sources for auto-transfer rules. Choose a checking account instead.
The rule did not apply to a deposit you already received. Split incoming deposits rules only run on deposits received after the rule is created. Historical deposits are not backfilled.
You cannot create a second Instant rule from the same account. Only one Instant rule per source account is allowed. Change the frequency to a scheduled option, or use a different source account.
The Instant rule did not trigger after you switched to Instant frequency. Switching to Instant does not fire the rule right away. It runs when the next qualifying transaction meets the rule's conditions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Split incoming deposits and Maximum balance rules?
Split incoming deposits rules transfer a percentage of each incoming deposit the moment it lands in the source account. Maximum balance rules move money only when the source account balance goes above the cap you set.
Do Split incoming deposits allocations need to add up to 100%?
No. Allocations can total less than 100%; any unallocated percentage stays in the source account. For example, if you send 15% to Tax and 10% to Profit, the remaining 75% stays put.
Can I use a savings account as the source account?
No. Savings accounts cannot be used as the source account for any auto-transfer rule. Use a checking account as the source.
Can I create more than one Instant rule from the same source account?
No. You can only have one Instant auto-transfer rule per source account.
Can the same account be used across multiple Instant rules?
There are limits on how the same account can be reused across Instant rules:
An account cannot be both the source and destination in the same Instant rule.
You cannot create multiple Instant rules from the same source account.
A source account used in one Instant rule cannot be a destination account in another Instant rule.
A destination account used in one Instant rule cannot be a source account in another Instant rule.
If an account combination is not available, Relay will show an error message in the app to help you adjust the rule.
Will a Split incoming deposits rule apply to deposits I already received?
No. A Split incoming deposits rule applies only to new incoming deposits received after the rule is created.
Does switching a rule to Instant make it run right away?
No. Switching to Instant does not trigger the rule immediately. It runs when a new transaction meets the rule's conditions.
What time do scheduled auto-transfers run?
Scheduled auto-transfers run at approximately 2 a.m. Eastern Time on their scheduled dates.
Can I edit a rule after creating it?
Yes. You can edit, deactivate, or delete an auto-transfer rule from the Auto-transfer rules page.
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