All about the BankID app
Guides and frequently asked questions concerning the BankID app
Guides - How to activate the BankID app
Frequently asked questions about the BankID app
You can download the BankID app from the App Store or Play Store.
Activate the app with a code unit. Some banks also offer activation through SMS and email, or with passport scan in the app.
When you want to log in, the BankID app will send you a notification requesting you to confirm the login. If you tap on the notification, it will take you to the app. Follow the instructions provided in the app to complete the login process.
If you're not receiving notifications, make sure you have allowed the BankID app to send you notifications.
The error message about incorrect contact information can appear for various reasons and may be a bit misleading for some users. We are looking into how we can improve this error message.
Many users who receive this error message are iPhone or iPad users trying to activate an old version of the BankID app. It could also be that BankID does not have a confirmed mobile number for you.
Follow these steps to resolve the issue:
- Update the BankID app: If you have the BankID app installed on an iPhone or iPad, check that you have the latest version of the app. You can check for updates by going to the App Store, selecting your profile at the top, and scrolling down until you find the BankID app. There, you can choose to update the app. Once the BankID app is updated, you can go back to it to complete the activation.
- Reinstall the BankID app: For iPhone and iPad users, there is a new BankID app that replaces the old one. If you have the old app installed, it might help to go to the App Store and reinstall the BankID app. Then, you can open the new app and activate it as usual.
- Use a different activation method: If you are getting the "contact info" error message when activating the app for the first time, try activating it using BankID with a code unit. Some banks may show the "contact info" error when activating with a code sent via SMS and email. In that case, select a different activation method until the issue is resolved. Please note that there may be a one-hour waiting period for first-time activation for security reasons.
- Missing phone number: To activate the BankID app with a code chip, we need to have a confirmed phone number for you.
BankID is always secure – regardless of the method. The BankID app facilitates better communication with users and enhances anti-fraud solutions. You can gradually use BankID with facial recognition, fingerprint, or PIN code at more and more places, but when it involves larger transactions or signing important documents, you still need to provide your personal BankID password.
Remember that your BankID password is personal, and you should never share it with others. If you use faster BankID with biometrics or a PIN code, you should not share the device with others and create a PIN code that only you know.
When you activate the app, we send a confirmation message. If anyone but yourself is trying to activate the app, you will have an opportunity to contact your bank to suspend your BankID.
You have most likely deactivated notifications on your phone. Open the BankID app and turn on notifications by pressing the message on the home screen. Then you'll get a shortcut into the app every time you are logging in or approving something.
In that case, you must re-activate the app using either BankID with a code unit (physical device). You can also activate the BankID app on a new phone using the app on your old phone.
Once you have activated the app on the new phone, the app on your old device will stop working.
If you register biometrics or provide PIN access to other individuals on your mobile phone, they will also be able to act on your behalf. Therefore, you should be extra cautious and avoid using the BankID app without a password. The same applies to other apps where you can make payments from your mobile, such as Vipps, mobile banking apps, Apple Pay/Google Pay, Ruter, etc.
Once you have activated the BankID app, it is ready for use. When you are on a website where you need to identify yourself with BankID, choose "BankID". Then select "BankID app" as the method. You will receive a notification on your phone that needs to be approved. Press "yes, it's me" to confirm that it is you trying to log in. If you have an Apple phone or tablet, you can press and hold your finger on the notification and approve it from there without having to open the app. In the next and final step, enter your BankID password.
When logging in for the first time with the app, select the app as the method: click on "Choose another BankID" below the one-time code field. Then, select the desired code app from the list, proceed, and follow the instructions on your mobile device.
Download and activate BankID app and get a faster everyday BankID with facial recognition, fingerprint, or PIN.
The following must be in place:
- Activate BankID-app and faster BankID
- The web site offers login with BankID with biometrics/PIN.
- Your device must not be rooted/jailbroken.
Each individual website or platform decides which assurance level they want to offer. When you log in with BankID using your face, fingerprint, or PIN, you may occasionally be asked to provide your personal password. This could happen, for example, if something unusual is detected during the login process.
No, when the app is activated, you won't have to actively open the app to do a login. The app works as a one-time password unit and will show you notifications when you are on websites where you need to identify yourself with BankID.
If you didn't manage to tap the push notification from the BankID app when trying to log in, you can go into the BankID app to approve the login. Afterward, you'll need to return to the website or platform where you initiated the login to enter your BankID password.
If you are trying to log in with the BankID app, and it just keeps spinning without any progress, you most likely haven't tapped on the push notification that appeared. In this case, you can manually open the BankID app to confirm that it's you trying to log in.
You need a phone with a newer operating system. This means that if you have an older phone, it may not support the use of the BankID app for security reasons.
If you're not receiving push notifications from the BankID app on your Apple device, you should first check if you have enabled notifications on the device you're using. This can be done in the settings of your Apple device. If you have enabled notifications but still aren't receiving push notifications from the BankID app when you log in, you should check if you have activated the "Do Not Disturb" focus mode. In your device's settings, you can choose which apps should not be affected by this mode.
If the app is locked after multiple failed login attempts, you need to contact your bank to unlock the BankID app. Reactivating the app will not help in this case.
There can be several reasons why you cannot activate or use the BankID app.
- Expired BankID: It's possible that you don't have an active BankID with a code unit/password. If you have been using BankID on mobile exclusively for a long period, your BankID with a code unit may have expired. In that case, you need to reactivate BankID by contacting your bank. You will need the BankID password when using the BankID app.
- Outdated operating system: It's possible that your mobile phone or tablet has an outdated operating system. If you cannot update your phone or tablet, you can use the code unit.
- Huawei HarmonyOS devices: The BankID app is only available on the App Store and Google Play Store. Huawei HarmonyOS is blocked on these two platforms and has its own ecosystem for publishing and distributing apps. Therefore, Huawei phones launched after this blocking do not have access to the BankID app.
For security reasons, you can only have the BankID app on one device (mobile or tablet) at a time. When you activate the BankID app on a new device, the app will stop working on the old device.
BankID with biometrics (facial recognition/fingerprint) is gradually being rolled out and will become available in more and more places in the future. While the rollout is ongoing, you may still need to use a password in many cases. The ambition is that you will be able to log in with your face/fingerprint in most cases when the rollout is complete, but you will still need to use a password in cases that require increased security.
This applies, for example, when checking health information, for larger transactions, and for e-signatures, such as when signing documents for a home purchase. It is up to each individual service provider to choose the assurance level they want to use and which login methods should be available to users.
The vast majority of phones/tablets support the BankID app with facial recognition/fingerprint, but you must have iOS 15 / Android 7 or newer.
No, you're not required to, but we recommend it, given that the user experience is better in total.
BankID uses the biometric function on your phone and never sends your biometric data to a central registry. Your fingerprint, face, or PIN code never leaves your phone.
It is up to each individual service provider to determine which assurance level they want to use, and they can choose between two different levels for the BankID app. If they use the "high" assurance level, you will be asked to enter your BankID password.
This typically occurs when you need to log in to public services, access sensitive personal information, perform e-signatures, or conduct larger transactions. If the service provider uses the "substantial" assurance level, you will be able to log in with facial recognition/fingerprint or a PIN code. This will gradually apply to most logins, but it makes sense to differentiate assurance levels for smaller transactions and, for example, when signing loan documents.
Biometrics involve the app recognizing your face or fingerprint. It enables quicker login in under ten seconds and provides a better user experience.
It is safe to use BankID with biometrics and PIN code if you take some simple precautions. Always ensure that you are the only one with access to the device use biometrics in the BankID app.
If multiple people in your household have set up fingerprint or facial recognition on the device, you must remove their biometric access before enabling BankID with biometrics. Also, consider setting a new PIN code if you suspect that others may know your current one.
Please contact your bank in order to suspend the BankID app, inlcuding biometrics. When the app is suspended, you can activate the BankID app on another device, using your code unit.
Contact customer support in your bank to deactivate biometrics in the BankiD app.
In that case, faster BankID will still work, but only with a PIN code. This is not a way to deactivate/disable BankID with facial recognition/fingerprint; you must do that by contacting your bank.
- Open the BankID app
- Go to "BankID" on the bottom menu bar
- Then click on the "Activate" button
- Complete the steps in the activation loop
That's correct. To use face recognition, fingerprint, or PIN, you must complete the login within the app itself. Therefore, the long-press function will not work in these cases. You will be directed into the app when you tap the notification, where you can complete the login with face recognition, fingerprint, or PIN.
By using login methods like facial recognition or fingerprint authentication, you'll have an even better user experience in the BankID app while ensuring security and privacy in a safe manner. Logging in with your face or fingerprint in the BankID app takes less than 10 seconds, whereas logging in with a password takes about 20 seconds.
As a new user of the BankID app, you will be able to activate BankID with facial recognition, fingerprint, or PIN during the app activation process.
Follow the instructions in the app to activate faster BankID.
If you are unable to activate BankID with facial recognition, fingerprint, or PIN during app activation, you should check whether this feature is enabled on your phone or tablet. You can do this in the settings of your phone or tablet.
If you have already started using the app
Open the BankID app and tap on "BankID" in the menu at the bottom of the page.
Follow the instructions in the app to activate BankID with facial recognition, fingerprint, or PIN.
If you still cannot activate BankID with facial recognition, fingerprint, or PIN by following the steps above, you should check whether this feature is enabled on your phone or tablet. You can do this in the settings of your phone or tablet.