How to Transfer Between Robinhood and Interactive Brokers
If you want to move your Robinhood account to Interactive Brokers (or vice versa), we’re going to show you exactly how to do that in the shortest amount of time.
Transfer from Interactive Brokers to Robinhood
Interactive Brokers offers many outgoing transfer methods. One of these, the ACAT transfer, is accepted by Robinhood. Therefore, this transfer network is the one you’ll use to get your assets from Interactive Brokers into that new Robinhood account. Just follow these steps to make the switch:
Step #1: Open a new Robinhood account: 1% IRA match and up to $200 FREE stock at Robinhood.
An existing account will suffice if it has the same name on it and is of the same account type. For example,
it’s not possible to perform an ACAT transfer from a joint account to an individual account. If the
name on the Robinhood account has legally changed, it’s possible to update it through customer service.
Step #2: With the Robinhood account open and ready to accept a transfer through the Automated Customer Account Transfer network, it’s time to prepare it and the account at Interactive Brokers. The latter firm offers trading in many assets that can’t be moved into Robinhood, either because Robinhood doesn’t offer trading in them or they simply can’t be moved through the ACAT system. These asset classes include:
- Mutual funds
- Foreign stocks
- Cryptocurrencies
- Forex
- Futures
- Most over-the-counter stocks
- Options that expire in less than a week
- Warrants
- Precious metals
The above investments will need to be left behind in a partial transfer or transferred to a second Interactive Brokers account in the case of a full transfer. A third option is to simply exit the positions and move the cash balance in the transfer. Cash can be moved through the ACAT network.
If option contracts or a margin debit are going to be moved, the Robinhood account must first have these privileges added. It’s easy to add either to an existing account. Simply log into the mobile app and tap on the account icon (head and shoulders) in the bottom-right corner. On the next page, tap on the settings icon (three horizontal lines) in the upper-left corner. On the next page, tap on the Investing link and scroll down to the options and margin settings.
Although both investment firms offer fractional-share trading, partial shares cannot be moved through the ACAT system. These will need to be sold off. If they’re not, Interactive Brokers will convert them to cash before performing the transfer.
Step #3: Once both accounts are set up properly and ready to go, it’s time to request the transfer. This is always done with the receiving firm in the case of ACAT transfers. The Robinhood mobile app or website should be used to make the request.
On the website, go to the Account link in the upper-right corner and select the Transfers link in
the drop-down menu.
On the next page, select the tile to transfer an account into Robinhood. Doing so will generate a new page with a list of potential outgoing brokerage firms. Select Interactive Brokers. Follow the on-screen prompts and supply the requested details.
Assuming there are no mistakes made in the online request, the transfer should take about a week and a half. Interactive Brokers charges nothing for an outgoing transfer, and Robinhood charges nothing for an incoming one.
Free Robinhood Account
Visit Robinhood Website
Transfer Robinhood to Interactive Brokers
To transfer from Robinhood to Interactive Brokers, you’ll want to follow these steps:
Step #1: Open a new Interactive Brokers account.
Click on the blue Open Account button and follow the prompts. The new account must have the same name
on it as your Robinhood account and must be of the same account type (individual or Traditional/ROTH IRA).
Step #2: Prepare your Robinhood account for the upcoming transfer. If you plan to do a full transfer, you’ll want to make sure that all trades have settled and all open orders have been filled or cancelled.
Step #3: Submit an ACATS request inside your new Interactive Brokers account. To start this process, click on the same Transfer & Pay link and then select Transfer Positions this time. On the page that follows, you’ll want to select ACATS.
On the next page, you’ll see a few popular brokerage firms listed; Robinhood is one of them, so click on the Robinhood link. You’ll need to enter your account number and specify whether you’re doing a full or partial transfer.
If you select full transfer, your Robinhood account will be closed when the transfer completes (IB promises about 3-4 business days). If you select partial, then you’ll need to specify the assets you want moved.
Cryptocurrency positions cannot be moved out of a Robinhood account at this time, although other assets can. Moreover, Interactive Brokers will not accept incoming transfers of some micro-cap stocks.
Although Interactive Brokers charges nothing for incoming ACATS transfers, Robinhood does have a $100
outgoing fee. IB does not reimburse the fee. If you
move your Robinhood to Charles Schwab,
Schwab will reimburse the $100 transfer fee.
Open Interactive Brokers Account
Visit IB Website
Updated on 2/5/2025.
Chad Morris is a financial writer with more than 20 years experience
as both an English teacher and an avid trader. When he isn’t writing
expert content for Brokerage-Review.com, Chad can usually be found
managing his portfolio or building a new home computer.
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