How to bank safely on your phone

Banking apps are among the safest ways to bank. Your phone holds the keys to your money, so protect it like you would your wallet.

Set up your phone securely

Use a screen lock: a PIN of at least six digits, fingerprint or face unlock. Don't use 123456 or your birthday.
Turn on automatic updates for your phone and apps. Updates fix security holes that criminals use.
Turn on "Find my device" (Find My on iPhone, Find My Device on Android) so you can locate, lock or wipe a lost phone.
Hide message previews on the lock screen so a thief can't read your security codes without unlocking the phone.

Only use the official banking app

Download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Better still, follow the link on your bank's own website.
Check the developer name matches your bank. Fake apps exist.
Never install apps from links in texts, emails or social media, and never "sideload" apps from outside the official stores.
Be wary of apps asking for unusual permissions, such as access to your texts or to "control your device" (accessibility access).

Codes and messages

Never share a one-time passcode with anyone, including someone claiming to be your bank, a delivery company or a friend. The same goes for approving logins or payments in your app that you didn't start. See passcodes, app approvals and screen sharing.
Genuine bank texts can appear in the same thread as scam texts, because sender names can be faked. Don't trust a message just because of where it appears.
Forward scam texts to 7726 for free, then delete them.

If your phone suddenly loses signal

If your phone shows "No service" or "Emergency calls only" for no reason, contact your mobile network from another phone. It may be a SIM swap, where criminals transfer your number to their SIM to receive your codes. If it is, call your bank on 159 too. Ask your network about adding a PIN or extra security to your account. If other accounts were taken over too, see hacked email, WhatsApp or social media: what to do.

If your phone is lost or stolen

Call your bank on 159 or its fraud line to freeze your cards and app access.
Use Find My or Find My Device to lock or erase the phone.
Ask your network to block the SIM.
Change your email password and any passwords saved on the phone.
Report the theft to the police and get a crime reference number.

Phone snatching

Thieves watch people unlock their phones in public, then grab them. With your passcode, they can open your banking apps and change your passwords. Shield your screen when entering your code, and consider your phone's stolen-device protection setting. Read more in our guide to protecting yourself from prying eyes.

Last reviewed: October 2026