Vanguard UK app - tester sign up

qbadger

https://www.vanguardinvestor.co.uk/app/testapp
Vanguard is bringing out its app:
"Test our new app

Sign up to test our new app on your mobile phone. Tell us what you love and how we could improve things for you.'

Kaizen917

Its been ongoing for a while now (I think since around March). I signed up for it and two things kinda worry me if I was to care about investing apps.

First, it takes them a while to polish it while others would seemingly roll out and improve their apps way faster. We literally dont even have a vague release date yet. Second, the app seems to offer nothing extra over simply logging into the site via the phone and in fact its more limited than it. Aside from the cleaner home screen, it doesnt necessarily offer better presented info, buying/selling is the same process as on desktop (so quite brutal to fat finger buying funds on a phone). One thing I personally found disappointing - the login screen is a pop up that takes you to the mobile browser to sign on and then brings you back into the app.

I think Vanguard are right to look for ways to improve (whether through rolling out an app, better site or lower fees) but the app has a way to go from its current form.

Swipe

I installed it just to see what it was like out of curiosity but then immediately uninstalled it. I'm just not comfortable having any portfolio app installed on my phone, especially one that holds my life investments.

Alexland

When I tried Vanguard Investor around  5 years ago the website worked well in a mobile browser so there didn't seem any need for an app. Just put a shortcut on your home screen.

Phoenix72

Alexland said:

When I tried Vanguard Investor around  5 years ago the website worked well in a mobile browser so there didn't seem any need for an app. Just put a shortcut on your home screen.

I prefer the app for biometric log in.

Alexland

Phoenix72 said:

I prefer the app for biometric log in.

I find biometric login rarely works for me on apps it's just time-consuming training them only to be told I have failed the checks.

GeoffTF

Alexland said:

Phoenix72 said:

I prefer the app for biometric log in.

I find biometric login rarely works for me on apps it's just time-consuming training them only to be told I have failed the checks.

I have set up my finger print to unlock my Android phone. Both of the apps that I have tried used the same Google service, so no extra training was required.

Alexland

GeoffTF said:

I have set up my finger print to unlock my Android phone. Both of the apps that I have tried used the same Google service, so no extra training was required.

I've trained my thumb on my android phone several times but it doesn't seem to read my thumb most of the time. Maybe I have an odd thumb.

boingy

Alexland said:

 Maybe I have an odd thumb.

Or maybe it's just naughty!
On iPad my thumbs are definitely more naughty than my index fingers. 

I do use apps but I only have a pension at Vanguard so it's not something I need day to day access too. Happy with their website.

gm0

I think I'll feedback asking for a WAP gateway for my 6310i
Some of the developers might be old enough to get the joke

The rest of it can be as rubbish or mediocre as it likes providing the security infrastructure isn't compromised by some 2nd channel access and replication of credentials alongside current.

And so long as they don't go app only and strand the web functionality and focus on the app.  I'm happy.

App only is a cancer.

Must be possible to just ignore it - Truly optional. Channel neutral functionality.  Multichannel ways to deal with the organisation.

If cost is an issue  Then don't bother with the apps for iOS and Android and stick to the mobile and desktop web knitting.

That's my feedback