HSBC/FD app

skitskut

Hi, just bought a new phone. Unable to install HSBC UK or First Direct banking apps as Google Play says they are incompatible with my device 😡. It won't tell me why. I have Android 12 Go. Is it because I have Android Go? Has anyone else with Android Go been able to install these apps? Cheers.

sausage_time

Android Go is 32 bit operating system intended for low end handsets.  Many banks no longer support 32 bit I'm afraid.

skitskut

I don't think the 32 bit os is the issue. I know these apps work on a Moto G7 play and that was 32 bit with Android 10.

sausage_time

https://www.firstdirect.com/ways-to-bank/mobile-app/

At the moment we don't support devices with Android Go.

Some banks do not support 32 bits.  HSBC don't support Go it seems.

400ixl

Yep, Android Go is really for developing markets and restricted to 32 bit OS.

Many banking apps (and more) do not support one or the other.

Android Go phones should be avoided in the developed world really as compatibility with apps is only getting worse not better and OS support is usually pretty short.

skitskut

I think HSBC should make this clear on their website. There's no mention of Go at all that I can see, only on FD. How are people supposed to know? I hope Argos will allow me to return the phone.

TadleyBaggie

skitskut said:

 I hope Argos will allow me to return the phone.

Did you buy it online or in shop? If the latter, then you may have issues as the phone isn't actually faulty.

skitskut

TadleyBaggie said:

skitskut said:

 I hope Argos will allow me to return the phone.

Did you buy it online or in shop? If the latter, then you may have issues as the phone isn't actually faulty.

In shop 2 days ago. Issues even if I want to exchange for a different phone and factory reset it?

GrumpyDil

Yes, Argos exclude a large number of electronic items such as phones/laptops from their in store change of mind policy. 

skitskut

Great, so I'm stuck with an expensive brick. The phone was for my Mum and the main reason for buying it was for use of the HSBC app! She's not had a smart phone before. I did quite a bit of research beforehand and at no point did this come up as an issue. It's not like it's a niche app.

400ixl

Android 12 Go is also already 2 versions behind (soon to be 3) and if the phone provider hasn't been updating then it will only have a short shelf life, maybe 12 months (11 Go is already out of security updates).

No one should be buying a phone which is not running at least Android 14 really and getting guaranteed security updates for 3 years from the manufacturer. Otherwise you have a paper weight in next to no time.