How to log in to your banking app with your fingerprint
Typing a long password every time you want to check your account is tiring. It's easy to make a mistake, and easy to forget. Happily, there's a simpler way. Your phone can recognise you by your fingerprint — the unique pattern of lines on your finger that only you have. This guide will show you, step by step, how to set this up. Don't worry: you can't break anything, and if a screen looks different from what's described here, just go slowly and look for similar words.
What is an "app" and what is "biometrics"?
An app is a small program on your phone. Your bank has its own app — a small square colourful picture (called an icon) with your bank's logo on the phone's main screen. You touch it with your finger, and the bank opens.
Biometrics is a complicated word for a simple thing: the phone recognises you by a part of your body. Most often that's your fingerprint or your face. Instead of a password, you simply press your finger — and the phone understands that it's you.
Is it safe?
Yes. In fact, a fingerprint is often safer than a password. A password can be seen over your shoulder or stolen, but your fingerprint is one of a kind and can't be copied that way. One more reassuring thing to know: your fingerprint is not sent to the bank and is not stored on the internet. It stays only inside your phone, in a protected part of its memory. No one else can reach it.
Before you begin
For everything to work, you first need two things.
- A fingerprint must already be added in your phone's own settings. This is usually done when the phone is first set up. If not, see below.
- You must remember your usual bank password. You'll need it once, to confirm the setup.
How to turn on fingerprint login — step by step
- Find your bank's icon on the phone screen — a small colourful square with the bank's logo.
- Touch that icon once with your finger to open the app.
- Log in the usual way — type your password just as you always do.
- Find the "Settings" section — usually a small gear-shaped icon, or three little lines in a corner of the screen.
- Touch the word "Settings" to open it.
- Find the item called "Security" or "Login" — touch it.
- Find the line with the words "Fingerprint login" or "Biometric login".
- Touch the switch next to that line to turn it on — it usually changes colour to green.
- When the phone asks, press your finger to the scanner button (a small dip on the phone, or a circle on the screen).
- If the phone asks you to confirm with a password, type your usual bank password once more.
That's it. Next time, the app will ask you to press your finger instead of a password.
How to check that it works
- Fully close the banking app.
- Open it again by touching the icon.
- When asked, press the same finger to the scanner.
- If your account opens — well done, everything is set up correctly.
What to do if something goes wrong
Don't worry — this happens, and no harm is done. Here are the most common situations.
- The phone doesn't show a "Fingerprint login" option. This means a fingerprint hasn't been added on the phone itself yet. Open the phone's "Settings" (the gear icon), find the section about fingerprint or face, and add your finger by following the prompts. Then go back to the bank app.
- The scanner doesn't recognise your finger. Wipe your finger and the scanner with a dry cloth. A wet or dirty finger is harder to read. Try again, pressing your finger a little more firmly.
- It failed a few times. Nothing serious — the app will simply ask for your usual password. Enter it and log in as normal. You can try the fingerprint next time.
If you feel lost or something is unclear, call your bank on the number printed on the back of your payment card. It's free, and a member of staff will calmly walk you through it, step by step.
An important safety warning
Remember one iron rule. A real bank employee will never ask you to read out your password or an SMS code over the phone. If someone calls, says they're the bank, and asks you to say a password or code — it's a scammer. Just hang up and call the bank back yourself, using the number on the back of your card.
Summary — the key points
- Open your bank app and log in with your password.
- Go to "Settings", then "Security".
- Turn on the "Fingerprint login" switch.
- Press your finger when the phone asks.
- Check it: close and reopen the app.
- Never read your password or a code to anyone over the phone.