Would you like to open your banking app without typing a long password every time? With fingerprint login, this is easy. You place your finger on your smartphone's sensor, and the app opens. That might sound complicated, but it is not. This guide shows you, step by step, how to set up this feature. You cannot break anything by trying it — just take your time and go through each step calmly. Almost every bank offers this feature in its app, whether for a checking account or a savings account.
What does "fingerprint login" actually mean?
A fingerprint sensor is a small area on your smartphone that reads your fingerprint. Sometimes it is built into the screen, sometimes it sits on the back of the phone or inside the side power button. This technology is called biometrics: this means a device recognises you by a physical feature, such as your fingerprint or your face, instead of a typed password. The benefit: you do not need to remember a password, and no one can log into your app with a stolen password.
How to set up fingerprint login
- Pick up your smartphone and unlock it as you normally do.
- On your home screen, find your banking app's icon — usually your bank's logo inside a coloured square — and tap it once.
- Log in to the app as usual with your username and your password.
- Tap the menu icon — often three small horizontal lines or a gear-shaped symbol — usually in the top-left or bottom-right corner of the screen.
- In the list that appears, find an entry such as "Settings," "Security," or "Login method," and tap it.
- Find the option called "Fingerprint login," "Biometrics," or "Touch ID," and tap it.
- Slide the switch next to this option to the right until it turns green or coloured — this shows the feature is now turned on.
- If the app asks, type in your current password once more to confirm.
- Place your finger on your smartphone's fingerprint sensor when the app asks you to.
- Wait until a confirmation appears on the screen, such as a green checkmark or the words "Done" or "Setup complete."
From now on, opening the app usually just needs a quick touch of your finger on the sensor — no password required.
What to do if something goes wrong
Don't worry — small hiccups happen more often than you think. Here are the most common problems and what you can do about them.
- The sensor does not recognise your finger: Clean the sensor and your finger with a dry cloth and try again. Rest your finger gently on the sensor — not too lightly, not too hard.
- The "Fingerprint login" option is missing from the app: First check whether your smartphone supports this feature at all. Open your phone's general settings — not the banking app — and look for "Fingerprint" or "Biometrics." If nothing is there, your device unfortunately does not support this feature. Simply keep logging in with your password instead — it is just as safe.
- You have never saved your fingerprint on your smartphone before: You need to do this first in your phone's general settings, before the banking app can offer the feature.
- You are locked out of the app entirely: No problem. Just tap "Use password" or a similar option on the login screen. Your password always keeps working, even after fingerprint login is turned on.
An important safety note: your bank will never call or message you asking you to turn off fingerprint login or to tell them a code. If someone calls claiming to be "from your bank" and asks you this, hang up immediately. Instead, call the number printed on the back of your bank card.