Atom Bank - Biometrics ....

steveksullivan

Looking to open a 6 month fix with Atom Bank and their reviews seem positive, but I've never had an account before that has been TOTALLY app based and seems to rely  (entirely....?) on biometrics for logins etc.

Has anyone had any problems with this .... and if so how do you resolve them ? Doen't quite seem like re-setting a passwrord .....

I have an iPhone XR....

Thanks as always ....

Zuzi

They offer three options to access the app - passcode, face ID, voice ID (I just checked, I opened an account the other day and have had no issues with my iPhone 13).

Their Face ID seems to really be using their capture from the application, it pops up whenever I open the app looking to "scan" the face, but disappears very quickly so I am not actually sure whether it uses the native Apple FaceID or their own. Either way, I use Face ID for many banking apps and have not had an issue in years.

I don't know how the other two options listed above work, but wanted to point out that there seems to be alternative(s) 

flaneurs_lobster

Not just biometrics, 6-digit passcode also available (in addition to Face and Voice Recognition).

Not found any problems using face, if anything it seems quite lenient and allows access when wearing specs and not, rubbish lighting etc. Never used voice since setup.

refluxer

You can choose to log in with a 6-digit passcode if you don't want to use your face or voice - all three are presented as options when you load up the app so are equally easy to select.

The only time I ever have an issue with face unlock is if it's too dark where I am at the time, in which case I use the code. Atom's app is one of the slickest banking apps that I've used - it works really well, even on an older phone (Pixel 2 on Android 10).

Speaking of phones, bear in mind that you need to make sure the device you use will be compatible with the app for the duration of the fixed rate you take out. Atom say "For both iOS and Android, our app will support the latest version of your operating system, as well as the two preceding versions"

Albermarle

flaneurs_lobster said:

Not just biometrics, 6-digit passcode also available (in addition to Face and Voice Recognition).

Not found any problems using face, if anything it seems quite lenient and allows access when wearing specs and not, rubbish lighting etc. Never used voice since setup.

It does not like facemasks though !

steveksullivan

Thanks all  -

Thats reassuring ! I did not see mention of the passcode option when looking at the clips from the website I was reading ....

refluxer said:

Speaking of phones, bear in mind that you need to make sure the device you use will be compatible with the app for the duration of the fixed rate you take out. Atom say "For both iOS and Android, our app will support the latest version of your operating system, as well as the two preceding versions"

Thanks for that too .... but as it's a six-month fix I'm looking at I shouldn't need much/any access after the initial funding period.

Will go ahead and open now .....

steveksullivan

Again just in case it helps anyone .... I like to report positives as well as the many negatives over the last few weeks !!

Agree that the Atom app is very slick ....

My worries about biometrics (so far ....) unfounded and have the passcode option as well, both tried and working well  ....

Initially expected to set  up the linked account as part of the application and surprised when wasn't asked ... but soon found the 'Interest options' ...set it up and changed payment date for interest ....

Funded with initial £100 which arrived instantly.

Very impressed so far !!

Lorian

a 6 digit passcode might not seem so safe - but the device you are using is also authenticated so you have to know the passcode and be on you authenticated device. The Atom App one of the better ones to use I think

surreysaver

I've had problems with it when I've switched phones and had to download the app from scratch. Rang them up and they weren't that helpful

Zaul22

Works very well.

Just_caring

Ive been using Atom for a few years and not had any problems using the app and it’s easy to open new accounts and transfer monies in & out.