topic Re: Security settings causing bank to de-register my banking app on my phone in Galaxy S23 Series

Security settings causing bank to de-register my banking app on my phone

Microft — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 16:31:42 GMT

Hey everyone,

I upgraded my older Samsung to the new 1tb Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. I used Smart Switch to copy all of my apps and data across to the S23.

I set up my banking app (Halifax in the UK) and all seemed well. But after about 30 mins, if I reopen my banking app on my phone, I get a message that the app has been de-registered (by my bank) for security reasons. I can re-register the app, but again after a few minutes, it gets de-registered again.

I called my bank and they deregistered both devices, asked me to uninstall the app, reinstall it and register again. Then the support person noticed that the reason my phone keeps getting de-registered is due to a security setting or policy on my phone thats preventing my phone from working properly with my bank.

I use Adguard, and this never caused an issue with my older Samsung Galaxy (I had no issues at all) and the only other thing I can think of is that it could have been Device Care as this scns only when charging or when the screen is off. With Adguard and Device Protection disabled, I rebooted my phone, removed the banking app and reinstalled and re-registered it. But again, after 20-30 mins, the banking app was de-registered again. The only other problem I can think of is that when I used Smart Switch, something from my old phone, like a security certificate or some other setting/remnent was also transferred and is confusing my phone or the app.

I really rely on my banking app multiple times a day, and I'd like to find what else would be causing it. As a last resort, I'll do a facroty reset, which I shouldn't have to do with a new device.

So if anyone has had the same problem and resolved it, or has any other ideas what could be causing the issue or a setting I can desable, please let me know. I have seen a few other posts on here with different Samsung devices stating a December update broke something and still hasn't been fixed. I don't know though, as I didn't have an issue with my last phone, which I had for 2 years, without any problems. The latest security patch I have is 1st January and there are no updates when I check.

Thanks

Mike.

Re: Security settings causing bank to de-register my banking app on my phone

Microft — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 16:32:55 GMT

It's also Android 13.

Re: Security settings causing bank to de-register my banking app on my phone

Glenntech — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 16:33:30 GMT

With my HSBC bank app
I had to remove older registered devices from the account.

You could always try clearing the partition cashe on the phone. Could be some old settings transferred over that are causing the problems

Re: Security settings causing bank to de-register my banking app on my phone

Glenntech — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 16:34:48 GMT

Wiping cache partition fixes some of the bugs and improve performance by removing unwanted cache files.

Turn off your phone.

Connect your phone with a USB cable
to PC or another Samsung mobile

You will see the charging icon on your screen.
Wait till it shows charging with battery percentage.

Next, press and hold the Volume up and Side key simultaneously.
You can press the volume up button just before the Side key.
The Samsung Logo followed by
Samsung Galaxy appears on the
screen.

At this point, release the keys
Phone will boot into Android Recovery mode

In Android recovery mode, using Volume keys, choose "Wipe Cache
Partition" .

Then press Side Key to Confirm by selecting "Yes" and then press Side Key

You get "cache wipe complete" at the
bottom of the screen
Restart the phone to complete the
process

Re: Security settings causing bank to de-register my banking app on my phone

Microft — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 17:28:56 GMT

Thanks for the suggestions. I wiped the cache, rebooted, uninstalled, and reinstalled the banking app, but unfortunately it didn't resolve the issue.

Thanks though.

Re: Security settings causing bank to de-register my banking app on my phone

Bigtasty65 — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 17:29:27 GMT

I never have a problem with the NatWest banking app when setting up a new phone. As they don't register a device as such. Only the phone number registered and your logging in details are required with them.
I don't think Smart Switch should ever be used as it's the perfect ingredient for the possible corruption of files during the transfer process. Always start off with a clean phone.
A factory reset will resolve the problem. Unfortunately of course, it might involve a lot of work in setting up your phone again.

Re: Security settings causing bank to de-register my banking app on my phone

Microft — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 18:54:58 GMT

Thanks for the post. I know that the Halifax banking app is very secure, and maybe a bit too secure as I've known older people struggle with it and get locked out and have to contact the bank.

I don't know if it's on the authentication side, as it does let me into the app, then after a while, it gets de-registered. So there's something on the phone or a remnant of my old phone that's causing a problem.

A factory reset is probably the way to go. I do have many apps and yeah, we all know it's a pain to set up the phone again, but sometimes it is worth it. There is another issue too where Phone Link doesn't talk to my PC and doesn't copy the clipboard contents, so It must be related.

However, there are many posts spread out on the forums here with people with the same issue with the Halifax, TSB, RBS, and Lloyds banking app (as they're all the same Royal Bank of Scotland companies) so I know I'm not alone with the issue, but it's annoying, even though I am thankful for the Apps security.

I agree about smart switch. I think it's bad to use it and is probably the main cause.

I'll wait a little while to see if anyone else has a fix or another solution to try, then I'll just do a factory reset.

Thanks again though, it's appreciated.

Re: Security settings causing bank to de-register my banking app on my phone

StuartR — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 19:51:58 GMT

I have no issues using halifax/Lloyd's apps on my S23 the only difference between your phone and mine is I don't use any 3rd party security apps and I never use Smart Switch.

Your issues are caused by smart switch as you suspect. I think it's inevitable your going to have to try a factory reset and I'd recommend not using smart switch.

With regards Halifax app you have to deregister your old phone before registering it on your new phone, Smart Switch can't do that.

Re: Security settings causing bank to de-register my banking app on my phone

MRashid — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 12:24:05 GMT

The issue is not smart switch. I didn't use smart switch when I set up my z fold 4. SmartSwitch downloads the apps and all app data directly from Samsung Cloud which were meant for a different Samsung device and might not work with the newer model. But this issue is caused by the app developers of the bank as I am getting the same issue in non Samsung phones as well like OnePlus and Pixel 7 itself.

Re: Security settings causing bank to de-register my banking app on my phone

McCoy44 — Sun, 19 Feb 2023 09:24:56 GMT

Hi Mike, I have exactly the same problem as you with my new S23+ and the BOS app. Bank says its security issues with S23+. Samsung have checked out my phone and it's OK and they say its compatibility problems with BOS app. I also used Smart Switch. No problems with previous S21, S10, S8. Very reluctant to factory reset but may have no other choice.

Re: Re: Security settings causing bank to de-register my banking app on my phone

Microft — Sun, 19 Feb 2023 10:09:01 GMT

It's a pain. I need to get spend notifications and Halifax have been useless, blaming my security settings on my phone. No other app has a problem. So it has to be them. I put in a support request but heard nothing back yet. If I fix it or I hear from them I'll let you know. But it's strange how it just fails when the software is the same as my S21 and both have Android 13. But I'm sorry you're having issues too.

Re: Re: Re: Security settings causing bank to de-register my banking app on my..

McCoy44 — Sun, 19 Feb 2023 11:31:17 GMT

Hi. BOS logged a fault report yesterday for my problem. I am supposed to wait 72hrs and then get back to them. I have zero confidence that they will progress the issue. I will probably then factory reset and restore my S21 data that I backed up before I sent it back as a trade in lastl week. Don't think I will restore from my S23+ back up as that may just re install whatever issue is causing the BOS app problem. I will advise you of any progress. L

Re: Security settings causing bank to de-register my banking app on my phone

Jeff_ — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 19:18:31 GMT

Halifax app Installed on my Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra the App constantly de-regeisers stating a security issue. I did not do smart switch so I know it is not the problem, hopefully it's just a matter of time for the banking app to be updated, never had a problem on my S22 Ultra..

Re: Re: Security settings causing bank to de-register my banking app on my phone

Microft — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 20:33:06 GMT

@Jeff_ Yeah, I'm now thinking it's the phone not being updated at halifax's end. It's why I've still not done a factory reset. Even though it's not guaranteed to fix the issue, especially if, like yourself, people are having issues with a clean install. They really need to fix it and likewise, no issues on my older Samsung phone.

Re: Re: Re: Security settings causing bank to de-register my banking app on my..

McCoy44 — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 20:22:22 GMT

Hi Mike. I don't want to raise you're hopes but I updated my S23+ with the latest update released today
S916BXXU1AWBD. For the past two hours I have been able to log in to my BOS using the app with no problems, so far. I have waited up to 50 mins between log in and all still OK. So maybe the problem is resolved. Only time will tell. I will keep you posted.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Security settings causing bank to de-register my banking app o..

Microft — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 00:04:22 GMT

Hey! Yeah, I got the update last night too. I also tried the Halifax banking app, registered and low, and behold, its not de-registered at all. It seems to be stable now, and was an Android issue from the January security patch that came pre-installed on all S23 models and, if other phones download the January patch (even on non-Samsung phones), it caused the issue too. But the February patch fixed it, as well as 55 other issues and 7 One UI 5.1 issues.

But thanks for the update and I hope your BOS app is still working as well as my Halifax app is (even though I think they are the same app rebranded.) It's good to have it working again.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Security settings causing bank to de-register my banking a..

McCoy44 — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 08:48:27 GMT

Glad that you are up and running. BOS app is still working fine.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Security settings causing bank to de-register my banki..

Microft — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 08:54:17 GMT

Yeah, same here. Though I do cringe every time I open it now. But it's working well.

Re: Security settings causing bank to de-register my banking app on my phone

LindaMS — Sun, 24 Dec 2023 17:33:17 GMT

I'm having problems downing the Bank of America app on my nre Ultra. it keeps popping up with "not compatible with this phone". I have it on my old Samsung S20 with no problem. Do I need to delete the old app because of multiple downloads?

Re: Re: Security settings causing bank to de-register my banking app on my phone

Microft — Sun, 24 Dec 2023 17:48:34 GMT

It's probably the Android version. It might not be compatible with Android 13 or 14. Lazy developers are slow to update them.