Apps!

Dick_Banana · 9 July at 4:26PM

Hi. I'm no dinosaur, and I happily manage my bank existing accounts online. I need a new current account, but I can't tell whether an account that promotes itself with an App means that it can only be managed on a mobile phone. Is that a correct perception, or could I assume that Monzo and First and Starling have an online facility that I can do from a laptop.

I realise that some people do everything through their phone but I don't want to be forced to do grown-up important stuff on a fiddly iphone screen.

Emmia · 9 July at 4:46PM

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6675677/apps

I believe Monzo is app only.

I think if you want web access via a computer plus app you probably need to look at traditional banks like HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds etc.

oldernonethewiser · 9 July at 4:54PM

Some banking apps will work on a tablet eg iPad as well as a phone.

You mentioned First, is that First Direct? You can bank online as well as app with them.

flaneurs_lobster · 9 July at 4:57PM

Never seen a user name being censored before (on the quote box).

You mention First (Direct), that certainly has online (web) access. Starling doesn't, nor does Chase, Revolut, Monzo, Kroo.

Sure I've missed 1 or 2, but most others have web & app.

elsien · 9 July at 5:12PM

Any of the High Street banks should work.

Starling does have a browser option but you need the app to open the account and to confirm who you are when logging in to the browser.

Rob5342 · 9 July at 7:21PM

Monzo has a web interface but it's a very crude cut down interface that only let's you view things,you can't do any transfers etc.

Starling has a full blown web interface, you do need the app to log into it, but then you'd probably be using your phone for the one time password with any other bank too.

boingy · 9 July at 9:35PM

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6675677/apps

I use many banking apps but I'm not happy to carry around all of my bank accounts on one very nickable phone so I have them installed on an iPad that never leaves the house. My wife does the same but on her Android tablet. Decent sized screens and a low chance of them falling into the wrong hands.

lr1277 · 9 July at 9:42PM

With First Direct your primary interface can be the app or the website. If you choose the app, that is fine. However if you choose your primary interface to be the website, you still need the app to generate a secure code for you. It also generates secure codes for setting up transfers to new payees.

Back in the day (say 2021) it was possible to use the website without the app. But you needed a little number generator gizmo which would generate the secure code for logging into the website. The battery on my gizmo died. When I asked for a new one, I was told it would take a few weeks. I don't know if that was because of the pandemic or that FD are pushing people to use the app. Since I couldn't face being without access for weeks, I moved to the app on the promise that if I didn't get along with it, I could move back to the gizmo. I now use the app say for checking balances and transferring money to existing payees. But I use the website for more complicated matters.

I don't know FD's current stance on providing the number generator gizmo. So I don't now if you can be app free with FD.