Bank of Ireland Andriod App available to download today

Bank of Ireland: Linda

Hi Everyone,

We are delighted to announce that our mobile banking app is now available for Android users.

The Android app, which is available to those running Android 2.2 and above, features the following online services:

- View balances and review transaction history
This includes Current, Demand Deposit, Term Loan and Credit Card accounts and the facility to make transfers between accounts.
- Pay Bills and Transfer Money
Transfer money to the payees and bills registered on 365 online profiles.
- ATM/branch locator
An ATM and branch locator that maps the nearest Bank of Ireland ATM and branch and the facility to search by current location, town, street or branch name.

As always, we're very happy to hear from you about your mobile app experiences. If you have any comments or questions, let us know.

Thanks
Linda

who is this

Great news! So glad its not a crappy iPhone port.

But could you maybe look into removing the regional restriction on downloads?

Google Play isn't like iTunes. It doesn't use where your account was created to determine if you can download something or not: it uses the currently inserted SIM card. So if you've got a non-Irish SIM in (or whatever regions you've allowed for the app) you can't download it, even if you're in Ireland.

Right now I'm not in Ireland, so to download it had to go rooting around for my Meteor SIM, which doesn't even work here.

Here's a link for anyone who can't find it.

Bank of Ireland: Linda

Hi who is this,

I understand your issue regarding downloading the app. The app is only available in Ireland and the UK currently. I will pass on your suggestion.

At the moment if you are outside these countries you can download the app by getting your Irish sim and try connecting to the Google Play store through WiFi. If you download the app in this way, we would advise you to connect this way periodically to ensure you stay up to date with the latest releases.

Please let us know if you have any other questions or feedback.
Enjoy the weekend.
Thanks
Linda

KoolKid

Downloaded & installed.
I way prefer this to the iPhone version. Looks and feels better
Thanks

coylemj

KoolKid wrote: »

Downloaded & installed.
I way prefer this to the iPhone version. Looks and feels better
Thanks

+1

The cursor automatically jumps to the next field when inputting the three digits from your PIN so it's easier and quicker to login with the Android app.

KoolKid

coylemj wrote: »

+1

The cursor automatically jumps to the next field when inputting the three digits from your PIN so it's easier and quicker to login with the Android app.

That's so annoying on the iPhone/iPad app . Surly an easy fix as well.

coylemj

KoolKid wrote: »

That's so annoying on the iPhone/iPad app . Surly an easy fix as well.

It happened on the original PC web browser app as well, you had to tab forward after typing each number, the same way as you have to click on 'Next' to advance on the iOS app now.

irishchris

Excellent app.been waiting ages for it so thanks.

Only bug so far is on my desire hd when in transfer and select account from and account to then select amount, when the keypad comes on screen to enter amount it blocks most of the continue button making it very difficult to press and continue. If could fix that would definitely be 5 stars.

big dan

The app is quality, however it would be great if you could buy mobile phone credit with it.

KoolKid

big dan wrote: »

The app is quality, however it would be great if you could buy mobile phone credit with it.

+1 Very good idea.

BionicRasher

Good app
Needs a few tweaks I think

Needs to have a log out button so you don't need to go to menu -> logout

Need to be able to switch between Business and Personal accounts

dmn

I must say the app has been worth the wait, a few more features would be great but happy out so far.

Bank of Ireland: Linda

Hi all,

Thank you for your feedback and suggestions regarding the Android app. I will pass on all your feedback and hopefully we can include some of your suggestions in the next release.

Thanks
Linda

witnessmenow

Looks excellent!

I just did a transfer on it there and it was very easy to use (possibly even a better experience than the website!)

One thing, after i did a transfer an ad popped up ("Looking for a Deposit Account"), the quality of that text is poor on my phone, it looks like it is an image of text rather than rendering text.

My Phone is an Sony Xperia Ray

tooth*grinder

I tried out the app on my phone and it looks a little broken to me.
The first login page and the pin enter page look to be missing a background image. I've attached screen shots of how they look on my phone. Anyone else have this happen to them?
(My phone is a stock Galaxy Nexus running 4.0.4)

Bank of Ireland: Linda

Hi tooth*grinder,

Thank you for bringing that issue to our attention, I have passed it on to our mobile team, if I hear anything back regarding it I will get back to you asap.

Thanks
Linda

Bank of Ireland: Linda

Hi witnessmenow,

witnessmenow wrote: »

One thing, after i did a transfer an ad popped up ("Looking for a Deposit Account"), the quality of that text is poor on my phone, it looks like it is an image of text rather than rendering text.

We are aware of issues regarding the ads display on some handsets, thank you for bringing it to our attention and we will look into the issues raised.

Thanks
Linda

BopNiblets

Just installed, app asked for root access!?

This is the one I installed, https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bankofireland.mobilebanking

Anyone know why it asked for root? Could it be my Swype keyboard? It popped up some message about not being the system keyboard...

delos

BopNiblets wrote: »

Just installed, app asked for root access!?

This is the one I installed, https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bankofireland.mobilebanking

Anyone know why it asked for root? Could it be my Swype keyboard? It popped up some message about not being the system keyboard...

I got a warning about my keyboard not being the system keyboard (I use SwiftKey X) but it never asked for root access. The keyboard thing I understand as it is a third party tool that loggs keystrokes but the root access request I don't have an answer for. I haven't rooted the phone - its a Three branded HTC Desire HD - and I've never had a request for root access from any app.

chris85

Good work to the team on this.

Been waiting to see what this would be like. Very happy on first look. I like the ATM locator. Its just nice and easy to use. Have been getting sick of going to the full site to check banking on my phone when on the go.

Ste-

The permissions shouldn't be requesting root ?

Permissions
This application has access to the following:

* Your location
coarse (network-based) location
Access coarse location sources such as the cellular network database to determine an approximate tablet location, where available. Malicious apps may use this to determine approximately where you are. Access coarse location sources such as the cellular network database to determine an approximate phone location, where available. Malicious apps may use this to determine approximately where you are.
fine (GPS) location
Access fine location sources such as the Global Positioning System on the tablet, where available. Malicious apps may use this to determine where you are, and may consume additional battery power. Access fine location sources such as the Global Positioning System on the phone, where available. Malicious apps may use this to determine where you are, and may consume additional battery power.
* Network communication
full Internet access
Allows the app to create network sockets.

Show allHide

* Your location
access extra location provider commands
Allows the app to access extra location provider commands. Malicious apps may use this to interfere with the operation of the GPS or other location sources.
* Network communication
view network state
Allows the app to view the state of all networks.
view Wi-Fi state
Allows the app to view the information about the state of Wi-Fi.

Bank of Ireland: Linda

Hi everyone,

Thank you very much for your feedback, I have passed on the details to our mobile banking team.

Thanks
Linda

inovo

Great App. Worth the wait. Great work done here by the BOI team.

BopNiblets

Whatever the problem with the app asking for root access or the keyboard error it has fudged the BOI app for me now, it gets stuck on the loading screen and I have to close it.
I've tried switching back to the default keyboard but no luck.
I'm using SuperSU by Chainfire if anyone has that, would love to know if anyone else got this problem.

Update: I've tried switching back to the default keyboard and restarted the phone and it's not getting stuck and I was able to login.
So maybe it's the Swype beta I have installed.

Linda: That might be worth mentioning to the dev guys, I don't see how you could control it however, maybe a warning on the Play Store page?

Bank of Ireland: Graham

Hi everyone,

We're still looking into some of the issues raised. I'd just like to request some additional information please:

witnessmenow wrote: »

My Phone is an Sony Xperia Ray

delos wrote: »

its a Three branded HTC Desire HD

BopNiblets wrote: »

Just installed, app asked for root access!?

Can you let me know what version of the operating system you're using on your phones? Also, BopNiblets, can you confirm the make and model of your phone please?

Thanks,
Graham

BopNiblets

Bank of Ireland: Graham wrote: »

BopNiblets wrote: »

Just installed, app asked for root access!?

Can you let me know what version of the operating system you're using on your phones? Also, BopNiblets, can you confirm the make and model of your phone please?

Thanks,
Graham

Hi Graham, I'm using a rooted custom ROM, Pure ICS, Android 4.0.3 on the Samsung Galaxy S2.
I believe my issue is with the beta Swype keyboard, but I've found a workaround to get the BOI app working.

delos

Bank of Ireland: Graham wrote: »

Hi everyone,

We're still looking into some of the issues raised. I'd just like to request some additional information please:







Can you let me know what version of the operating system you're using on your phones? Also, BopNiblets, can you confirm the make and model of your phone please?

Thanks,
Graham

I'm running Android 2.3.5 and the keboard software is SwiftKey X version 2.2.0.159. The keyboard warning doesn't really bother me at all. Other than that the app runs without a hitch - as I don't do phone top ups it has vitrually replaced the website for me.

One thing I'd suggest is allowing the user to configure if the user ID is asked for or not after the initial use of the app. Some may want the additional layer of security and some (like me) might have a tendency to forget the number if they don't use it. This would probably have to be optional as I'm sure most people are glad not to have to enter the number every time

kenyard

i like the website because it shows balance at each transaction period also. whereas with this it just shows transaction numbers.
either way nice app to have handy on a phone so ncie work

Bank of Ireland: Graham

BopNiblets wrote: »

Hi Graham, I'm using a rooted custom ROM, Pure ICS, Android 4.0.3 on the Samsung Galaxy S2.
I believe my issue is with the beta Swype keyboard, but I've found a workaround to get the BOI app working.

delos wrote: »

I'm running Android 2.3.5 and the keboard software is SwiftKey X version 2.2.0.159. The keyboard warning doesn't really bother me at all. Other than that the app runs without a hitch - as I don't do phone top ups it has vitrually replaced the website for me.

One thing I'd suggest is allowing the user to configure if the user ID is asked for or not after the initial use of the app. Some may want the additional layer of security and some (like me) might have a tendency to forget the number if they don't use it. This would probably have to be optional as I'm sure most people are glad not to have to enter the number every time

Hi BopNiblets and delos,

Thanks for replying so quickly. We'll let you know of any update on these issues once we have one.

kenyard wrote: »

i like the website because it shows balance at each transaction period also. whereas with this it just shows transaction numbers.
either way nice app to have handy on a phone so ncie work

Hi kenyard,

Thanks also for your much appreciated feedback,
Graham

Bank of Ireland: Linda

Hi witnessmenow,

witnessmenow wrote: »

One thing, after i did a transfer an ad popped up ("Looking for a Deposit Account"), the quality of that text is poor on my phone, it looks like it is an image of text rather than rendering text.

Our mobile banking team were wondering if you could provide a bit more information regarding the issue to make sure it doesn't occur again. I understand if it is not possible to provide this information.

- Do you have any screen shots you could provide?
- Is it only the specified ad that this issue appeared?
- Was the issue with the text due to display resolution or is it poor quality of message?

Thank you to everyone that has brought any issues and positive comments to our attention.

Thanks
Linda

dobsdave

I like the app, well done BOI.

One question, when I attaempt to login, it never asks for my user id.
Is there something in the setup where this is automatically saved?

It will ask for either dob or last 4 digits of phone number and the usual 3 digits from personal id.
If I log on using a laptop it always asks for user id.

Thanks.

Bank of Ireland: Linda

Hi dobsdave,

I am happy to hear that you like the app.

The user id is asked for the initial login, many banking apps operate in this way to allow easier access for customers. The additional security questions will always be asked for when logging onto the banking app.

Thanks
Linda

Ben D Bus

Just adding my name to the list of Android users who like the new app

witnessmenow

Bank of Ireland: Linda wrote: »

Hi witnessmenow,




Our mobile banking team were wondering if you could provide a bit more information regarding the issue to make sure it doesn't occur again. I understand if it is not possible to provide this information.

- Do you have any screen shots you could provide?
- Is it only the specified ad that this issue appeared?
- Was the issue with the text due to display resolution or is it poor quality of message?

Thank you to everyone that has brought any issues and positive comments to our attention.

Thanks
Linda

Hi Linda,

My phone is running ICS (4.0.3).

I only noticed it with that one ad. The rest of the app looked fine

The screens resolution is quite high (480 x 854 pixels) or at least at par with some bigger phones so i doubt its a resolution thing.

I will take a screen shot the next time i see it, but the ad only seems to happen after i make a transfer and I dont tend to do these often

Bank of Ireland: Linda

Hi witnessmenow,

Thank you very much, I will pass on the details. Hopefully you should have no other issues with the app.

Thanks
Linda

Javan

Bank of Ireland: Linda wrote: »

Hi dobsdave,

I am happy to hear that you like the app.

The user id is asked for the initial login, many banking apps operate in this way to allow easier access for customers. The additional security questions will always be asked for when logging onto the banking app.

Thanks
Linda

I have to say I uninstalled the app because of this issue. I'm not at all comfortable with the idea of data about the account being stored on the phone.

Can you tell us what other data related to the account is stored locally? For example; access logs, transaction logs, local caches of data transmitted from the central servers, account numbers or nicknames?

I'm tempted to install this on a rooted device just to have a poke around in the local cache and see what secrets are hidden there.

Bank of Ireland: Linda

Hi Javan,

We fully appreciate that security is a top priority for all our customers, and we can assure you that we do not store any security information on the handsets. In addition, all data sent to and from the handset is protected - Please see below quoted from our website:

Bank of Ireland Mobile Banking uses 128-bit encryption to code all information as it's exchanged.

I hope this helps give you some peace of mind.

Thanks
Linda

Javan

Bank of Ireland: Linda wrote: »

Hi Javan,

We fully appreciate that security is a top priority for all our customers, and we can assure you that we do not store any security information on the handsets. In addition, all data sent to and from the handset is protected - Please see below quoted from our website:



I hope this helps give you some peace of mind.

Thanks
Linda

Thanks for the reply Linda, but that does not address the issue.

Encryption applied to data in transit only protects data in transit. It does not protect data as it rests on the device. That quote from your website does not say anything about the data stored on the device.

Also your assertion that you do not store any security information on the device rings hollow. It seems likely that the login number is stored on the device. That is one of the three pieces of information required to access the account, so it is 'security information'.

The alternative would be to take a unique identifier for the device (the IMEI) with the login on the first connection and then use that in all subsequent logins.
The permissions requested by the app do not include any unique identifiers like the IMEI, so this app is not doing that.

By that reasoning you do store security information on the device and there is no assurance that it is protected while it rests on the device (only as it is in transit to / from the server), so you have not addressed the concern at all.

Javan

Javan wrote: »

Also your assertion that you do not store any security information on the device rings hollow. It seems likely that the login number is stored on the device. That is one of the three pieces of information required to access the account, so it is 'security information'.

I've run some very simple tests that anyone can replicate to confirm that the login number is effectively stored on the device.
The steps are as follows:
- Download the app and log in to your BoI account.
- In the applications manager see that the application has some local data stored. (156K on my device).
- Open the app again and see that you are not prompted for the login number.
- Go back to the applications manager and clear the cached data for this app.
- Open the app again and see that you are prompted for the login number.

By this test is seems very clear that the login number is stored in the local cache, along with a considerable amount of other data as 156K is much more than is needed for a six-digit number.

Without knowing what other data is stored on the device and the technology used to protect this data I'd have to say that this app is considerably less secure than the website. Anyone using the app should consider a lost or stolen phone to be as big a risk to account security as a lost or stolen debit card.

Bank of Ireland: Pat

Hi Javan,

I appreciate your concerns. I'm sure you can understand that we can't discuss specifics regarding how we manage our security credentials, but I can assure you on your question regarding the login number that this is not stored on the handset.

As mentioned above, we appreciate that security is a top priority for our customers. We work with the industry leaders in security and constantly review our procedures to ensure they are in line with industry best practices.

I hope this helps clarify things.
Pat

Javan

Bank of Ireland: Pat wrote: »

Hi Javan,

I appreciate your concerns. I'm sure you can understand that we can't discuss specifics regarding how we manage our security credentials, but I can assure you on your question regarding the login number that this is not stored on the handset.

As mentioned above, we appreciate that security is a top priority for our customers. We work with the industry leaders in security and constantly review our procedures to ensure they are in line with industry best practices.

I hope this helps clarify things.
Pat

Thank you Pat.

I appreciate the response, though you are still not answering the questions. By the tests already outlined you are storing something functionally equivalent to the login number on the device, I don't think that can be disputed.

You are also storing other data on the device, as 156K is a lot more than is needed for login information.

I hope you are not relying on 'security through obscurity', because that will not work in the long term.

If I can ask one final question on this thread:
Is it the advice from the bank that a lost or stolen phone poses no risk to account security, and that customers with lost or stolen phones do not need to contact the bank?

Bank of Ireland: Pat

Hi Javan,

In most cases, if your phone were to be lost or stolen, there is no need to contact us in relation to it.

Since customers have been advised not to write down or store their 6 digit security PIN or the PINs for their debit/credit cards, there shouldn't be an issue.

However, if any customers have stored security or login information in their phones we would advise them to erase this information from the device. If a phone that contains security info is lost/stolen, we would advise them to change all relevant PINs immediately.

Thanks
Pat

cupthehand1

Hi Pat,
sorry to veer slight OT but do you know is there any app in development for Windows Phone Marketplace?

Bank of Ireland: Pat

Hi cupthehand1,

Thanks for your question. At the moment there are no plans to launch a dedicated Windows app.

We are however working on a touch browser which will be compatible with the Windows phone OS and Blackberry. We will post here if we have any further updates.

Thanks
Pat

ct5amr2ig1nfhp

Hi Pat,

Installed the BOI app today and it asked for root permission. I've uninstalled the app again for now.

Why is the BOI app asking for root permission?

I am on stock 4.0.3 (rooted).

BN

cooperguy

Hi,

Id also like to say that this app is extremely useful. Good Job!

My one question, is there any plans to include NFC abilities in the app (or a separate app?) I have a HTC One X and would love to be able to use its ability for contactless payments. As this feature is only going to get more common in phones I hope its on the cards for the future?

Bank of Ireland: Laura

Hi cooperguy.

We are delighted to hear you like the new app.

Bank of Ireland: Linda wrote: »

The mobile banking app will not have NFC capabilities for the moment. It may be something we will look at in the future but there are no plans yet.

Thanks for your query.
Laura

Bank of Ireland: Linda

Hi BearNecessities,

We have been notified of this issue previously. We have identified a resolution on the root access, which we hope to have in place very soon. Once it's in place users should no longer be asked for root access when downloading the app.

Thanks
Linda

realnerds

I am in the US for a few months and would really like to DL this app. I run into the aforementioned region code issue. So, pretty useless to me at the moment.

Bank of Ireland: Pat

Hi realnerds,

Apologies that you are unable to download the app.

Bank of Ireland: Linda wrote: »

Because financial regulation can vary across different countries we need to ensure that the version of our App complies with the local regulation. This can require a separate build of the App

We are looking into having the app made available in other regions, although we don't have any dates as of yet. There is an option that may work for you. Use your Irish sim and try connecting to the Google Play store through WiFi and download that app that way. We have had mixed feedback in relation to using this method, it may or may not work for you.

If you download the app in this way, we would advise you to connect this way periodically to ensure you stay up to date with the latest releases.

Thanks
Pat

realnerds

Bank of Ireland wrote:

Because financial regulation can vary across different countries we need to ensure that the version of our App complies with the local regulation. This can require a separate build of the App
Pat

This is not quite true but it is nice to see a bank taking the high road. If this were the case I would not be able to conduct online banking from countries around the world unless the 365 website met the security and laws of every country. The internet is one big world, not based on the banking laws of Ireland. It is about access, not banking laws.

I do not have a Irish sim chip with me, I have diverted my home number to my US cell phone.

Is there anyway you can email me the app? Otherwise I will ask someone else to.

Cheers and thanks for actually caring and answering my previous message, this places BOI way ahead of the rest.... now if the APP were truly an Internet app and not an Irish only app....