How to Use Online Banking Safely on Your Phone (Guide for Seniors)

Mobile banking lets you check your account, pay bills, and send money to family, all from the comfort of your armchair. If you have never tried it, or if the idea makes you a little nervous, you are not alone. Millions of people over 60 now use banking apps every day, and with a few sensible precautions, it is one of the safest ways to manage your money.

This guide will walk you through everything, step by step, in plain English. No jargon, no rushing. By the end, you will feel confident using your bank's app on your phone.

Why Use Mobile Banking?

You might be wondering why you should bother when you can simply visit your local branch. Here are some real benefits.

It saves time. No more driving to the bank, finding a parking space, and waiting in a queue. You can check your balance or pay a bill in under a minute from your sofa.

It is available around the clock. Banks close in the evening and on weekends, but the app works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you suddenly need to check whether a payment has gone through at 9pm, you can.

You can spot problems quickly. If someone makes an unexpected charge on your account, you will see it straight away in the app rather than waiting for a paper statement at the end of the month.

It is free. Your bank's app costs nothing to download and nothing to use. It is included as part of your normal bank account.

It reduces the need for paper. Many banks now send fewer paper statements. Having the app means you can always see your full transaction history whenever you want.

Is Mobile Banking Safe?

This is the question most people ask first, and the short answer is: yes, it is very safe, as long as you follow some basic rules, which we will cover in this guide.

Banks spend billions of pounds and dollars every year on security. Your banking app uses something called encryption, which means your information is scrambled so that nobody else can read it while it travels over the internet. It is the same technology used by governments and the military.

In fact, many security experts say that using your bank's official app on your phone is actually safer than using your computer, because phones have built-in security features like fingerprint scanners and face recognition that computers often lack.

The key is to follow the safety tips we outline below, and you will be well protected.

Step 1: Download Your Bank's Official App

The first thing you need to do is download your bank's app onto your phone. Here is how.

On an iPhone:

1. Open the App Store (the blue icon with a white "A")
2. Tap the Search tab at the bottom
3. Type your bank's name (for example, "Chase", "Bank of America", "Barclays", or "NatWest")
4. Look for the official app. It should have your bank's logo and say it is made by your bank
5. Tap Get, then confirm with your fingerprint, face, or Apple ID password

On an Android phone:

1. Open the Google Play Store (the colourful triangle icon)
2. Tap the search bar at the top
3. Type your bank's name
4. Look for the official app with your bank's logo
5. Tap Install

Important: Only ever download your bank's app from the official App Store or Google Play Store. Never download a banking app from a link sent to you by email or text message. Scammers sometimes create fake apps that look like the real thing. If you need help downloading apps safely, have a look at our guide on how to download apps safely.

Step 2: Set Up Your Login

Once the app is installed, you will need to set it up. Your bank will usually ask you to:

1. Enter your account details — This might be your account number, sort code (in the UK), routing number (in the US), or the username you use for online banking on a computer
2. Verify your identity — The bank may send a one-time code to your phone by text message or call you. This is called two-factor authentication, and it is there to make sure it is really you. You can learn more about this in our guide on what two-factor authentication is and why it matters
3. Create a PIN or password — You will choose a short PIN (usually 6 digits) or a password to open the app

Setting up fingerprint or Face ID (highly recommended):

Most modern phones let you log into your banking app with your fingerprint or your face. This is both quicker and more secure than typing a password every time.

• On iPhone: The app will ask if you want to use Touch ID (fingerprint) or Face ID (face recognition). Tap Yes or Enable
• On Android: The app will ask if you want to use your fingerprint. Tap Yes or Enable

If your phone does not have a fingerprint scanner or face recognition, do not worry. A PIN works perfectly well. Just make sure it is not something easy to guess like 123456 or your date of birth. For tips on choosing strong passwords and PINs, read our guide on how to create strong passwords.

Step 3: Check Your Balance

This is usually the first thing people do, and it is the easiest.

1. Open your bank's app
2. Log in with your fingerprint, face, or PIN
3. Your main account balance should appear on the home screen straight away

Most apps show your available balance (what you can actually spend) and your current balance (which may include payments that have not cleared yet). If you have more than one account, such as a current account and a savings account, you can usually tap on each one to see its balance.

Step 4: Transfer Money to Someone

Need to send money to a family member or pay someone back? Here is how.

1. Open the app and log in
2. Look for a button that says Transfer, Send Money, or Payments
3. Choose whether you are sending money to one of your own accounts or to someone else
4. If sending to someone else, you will need their name, account number, and sort code (UK) or routing number (US). Some apps let you send money using just their phone number or email address
5. Enter the amount you want to send
6. Double-check all the details carefully
7. Tap Send or Confirm
8. The app may ask you to confirm with your fingerprint, face, or a code sent to your phone

Top tip: Always double-check the account number before sending money. If you send money to the wrong account, it can be very difficult to get it back. If you are sending a large amount to someone for the first time, consider sending a small test amount first (say one pound or one dollar) to make sure it arrives safely.

Step 5: Pay Bills

Many bills, such as electricity, phone, internet, and council tax, can be paid directly through your banking app.

1. Open the app and log in
2. Tap Pay Bills or Payments
3. If you have already set up a payee (the company you are paying), select them from your list
4. If it is a new payee, tap Add New Payee and enter the company's account details, which you will find on your bill
5. Enter the amount
6. Choose the date you want the payment to go out (today or a future date)
7. Confirm the payment

You can also set up standing orders (regular payments of the same amount) or direct debits through most apps. This means your bills get paid automatically each month, so you never miss a payment.

Step 6: Deposit a Cheque by Photo

If someone gives you a cheque, many banks now let you deposit it without visiting a branch. You simply take a photo of it with your phone. This feature is more common in the US (where it is called "mobile check deposit") but is becoming available in the UK as well.

1. Open the app and log in
2. Look for Deposit Cheque, Deposit Check, or Mobile Deposit
3. Sign the back of the cheque (write your signature on the back)
4. Hold your phone above the cheque and take a photo of the front
5. Then take a photo of the back
6. Enter the amount of the cheque
7. Choose which account you want to deposit it into
8. Tap Submit or Deposit

Tips for a good photo:

• Place the cheque on a dark, flat surface (a dark table works well)
• Make sure there is plenty of light
• Keep your phone steady and make sure the whole cheque is in the frame
• Make sure the writing is clear and not blurry

The money usually appears in your account within one to two working days. Keep the paper cheque for at least a month in case there are any problems.

Step 7: Set Up Account Alerts

One of the most useful features of mobile banking is alerts. These are notifications that your bank sends to your phone to let you know when something happens on your account.

You can usually set up alerts for:

• Low balance — Get a notification when your balance drops below a certain amount
• Large transactions — Get a notification when a payment above a certain amount is made
• Deposits — Know when money comes into your account (such as your pension or salary)
• Bill payments — Get a reminder before a bill is due

To set these up:

1. Open the app and log in
2. Go to Settings or Notifications
3. Choose which alerts you want to receive
4. Set your preferred amounts and options
5. Save your changes

These alerts help you stay on top of your finances and spot anything unusual quickly.

Security Tips: Keeping Your Money Safe

Mobile banking is safe, but you should still take some sensible precautions. Here are the most important ones.

Never share your codes or passwords

Your bank will never ask you for your full PIN, password, or one-time codes by phone, email, or text. If someone contacts you asking for these, it is a scam, no matter how convincing they sound. Hang up immediately.

Only use your bank's official app

Always download the app from the App Store or Google Play Store, as we described above. Never log into your bank through a link in an email or text message. Scammers create fake websites that look exactly like your bank's real website.

Avoid using public WiFi for banking

Public WiFi, the kind you find in coffee shops, airports, and libraries, is not secure. Anyone on the same network could potentially see what you are doing. Only use mobile banking when you are:

• Connected to your home WiFi
• Using your phone's mobile data (3G, 4G, or 5G)

If you must use public WiFi, consider using a VPN for extra protection. We explain what a VPN is in our guide on what a VPN is and how it works.

Keep your phone locked

Always have a screen lock on your phone, whether that is a fingerprint, face recognition, or a PIN. This means that if you lose your phone or someone picks it up, they cannot get into your banking app.

Keep your app updated

When your bank releases an update for its app, install it as soon as you can. Updates often include important security improvements that protect you from the latest threats.

Log out when you are finished

Although most banking apps log you out automatically after a few minutes of inactivity, it is a good habit to tap Log Out when you are done, especially if other people sometimes use your phone.

Be wary of phone calls about your account

A common scam involves someone calling you and pretending to be from your bank. They may say there is a problem with your account and ask you to move your money to a "safe account." Your bank will never ask you to do this. If you get a call like this, hang up, wait five minutes, and then call your bank directly using the number on the back of your bank card. For more on this type of fraud, read our guide on phone scams that target seniors and how to avoid them.

What to Do If You Think You Have Been Scammed

If you believe you have fallen victim to a scam, do not panic. Act quickly and follow these steps:

1. Contact your bank immediately. Call the number on the back of your bank card. Most banks have a 24-hour fraud helpline. Tell them what happened and they will try to stop or reverse any transactions
2. Change your passwords and PINs. If you think someone has your login details, change them straight away through the app or by calling your bank
3. Report it to the authorities.

• In the US, contact your bank and file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov
• In the UK, contact your bank and report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040

1. Do not feel embarrassed. Scammers are professionals who trick people of all ages. The most important thing is to report it quickly so your bank can help

Many banks have a policy of refunding money lost to scams, especially if you report it promptly. The sooner you act, the better your chances of getting your money back.

A Quick Summary of What You Have Learned

Let us recap the key points:

• Mobile banking is safe when you use your bank's official app and follow basic security rules
• Download the app only from the App Store or Google Play Store
• Use fingerprint or Face ID to log in for the best combination of security and convenience
• Check your balance anytime by opening the app
• Send money by entering the recipient's details and double-checking before confirming
• Pay bills and set up automatic payments to never miss a due date
• Deposit cheques by taking a photo with your phone
• Set up alerts to stay on top of your account activity
• Never share your PIN, password, or one-time codes with anyone
• Avoid public WiFi when banking and keep your phone locked and your app updated
• Act quickly if you think something is wrong by calling your bank straight away

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone hack into my banking app?

It is extremely unlikely if you follow the tips in this guide. Banking apps use the same level of encryption as military systems. As long as you keep your phone locked, use your bank's official app, keep it updated, and never share your login details, your account is very well protected. Using fingerprint or Face ID adds an extra layer of security that is very difficult for anyone to bypass.

What happens if I lose my phone?

If you lose your phone, your banking app is still protected by your fingerprint, Face ID, or PIN, so nobody can simply open it and access your money. However, you should call your bank as soon as possible to let them know. They can temporarily block access to your mobile banking as a precaution. You should also use Find My iPhone (Apple) or Find My Device (Google) to remotely lock or erase your phone.

Do I still need to visit my bank branch?

For most everyday tasks like checking your balance, paying bills, transferring money, and depositing cheques, the app does everything you need. However, you may still need to visit a branch for certain things, such as opening a new type of account, applying for a loan, updating your identification documents, or if you simply prefer speaking to someone face to face. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using both the app and your branch.