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

[Microft]

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.

[Microft]

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.

[McCoy44]

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

[Jeff_]

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..

[Microft]

@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.

[McCoy44]

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.

[Microft]

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.

[McCoy44]

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

[Microft]

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

[LindaMS]

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?

[Microft]

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