BankID Users Face Feature Gaps Based on Phone Type
While nearly all Swedes aged 18–67 rely on BankID for daily digital tasks, not all users enjoy the same functionalities. Certain phone models restrict access to crucial features, creating an uneven user experience.
Limited BankID Features on Specific Phones
BankID, a ubiquitous digital identification service in Sweden, has become an essential tool for millions since its launch in the early 2000s. It facilitates everything from online banking to signing documents. Despite its widespread use, some features are unavailable based on the type of phone a person uses.
For instance, the ability to utilize face recognition is absent for Android users. Additionally, the option to activate fingerprints in the BankID app presents problems for some devices. Users must meet particular requirements for the fingerprint feature to function correctly.
“In addition to Android 6, the phone must have Google’s official support (API) for fingerprints as well as support for the safe storage of keys.”
—BankID Spokesperson
Recent data shows that the number of smartphone users in Sweden reached approximately 8.6 million in 2023 (Statista). This highlights the importance of ensuring compatibility across various devices.
Affected Phone Models
BankID has identified a few older Android phones that lack the necessary support to use fingerprint login in the app.
- Samsung Galaxy A5
- Samsung Galaxy S5
- Samsung Galaxy Note 4
- Huawei Honor 7
The company also points out that other brands and models could also be affected by this issue.
Implications for Users
The limitations in feature availability might affect how users manage their digital lives. While the core functions of BankID remain accessible, users of older phones might encounter inconveniences.
