Important information about your Mobile Operating System
Please update the software on your phone or tablet before 1 July 2024
Devices and operating systems that we will support from 1 July 2024
From 1 July, our mobile app will be compatible with following operating systems:
- iPhones and iPads using iOS version 15 and higher
- Android phones and tablets using Android version 11 and higher
To find out if this change affects your device, check your software version in your device settings.
Where can I find my operating system version?
On iOS:Go to Settings > General > About
On Android:Note: this may vary slightly depending on your current version and device manufacturer.
Go to Settings > About phone > Android version
What happens after 1 July?From 1 July we can no longer offer support for the following operating systems:
- iOS (Apple) devices using operating systems 14 and lower
- Android devices using operating systems 10 and lower
This does NOT mean that affected customers will need to buy a new phone to use our app. After 1 July, customer devices will still have access to the app. Customers will still be able to send money, pay bills, view transactions, check balances and do all other online banking as normal.
However, any device that is still using an old operating system (OS 14 or lower for Apple devices and OS 10 or lower for Android), will not be able to update to any later versions of our mobile app.
This will affect customers with these older operating systems.
- They will not have access to new features or improvements.
- Over time, access to existing features will also be affected.
- Very importantly, they will not be getting any Apple or Android security patches or updates.
- After 1 July, if a customer deletes the BOI app from a device that has not had its software updated, they will not be able to reinstall the app on that device. They will need to use a device using software that is OS 11 or above if it’s an Android, or OS 15 or above if it’s an Apple device. Alternatively they can use a Physical Security Key (see below).
Older versions of iOS and Android devices are not supported by Apple or Google, which means they no longer get updates from those manufacturers including security patches.
If a device does not include the manufacturer’s latest security patches, this could leave a customer’s accounts open to serious security issues and potential fraud. For this reason, we make sure that our app is supported by the most up-to-date operating system for both iOS (Apple) and Android devices.
What is an operating system?An operating system or OS is the essential software that runs mobile phones or tablets. iOS (for iPhones) and Android (for most other phones) are the most used operating systems in the world. Device manufacturers regularly update this software, to ensure that the phone features, security and any apps you use can work at the highest levels.
You can check to see what operating system your device is using by checking the settings section mentioned above.
Some devices are set to update their operating systems automatically. These can also be updated manually, usually with some simple steps in the settings section of your phone or tablet.
If updating your operating system is not an optionIf you cannot use the app through a mobile phone or tablet, you can still bank online through a computer by using a Physical Security Key or PSK. This small device generates instant codes that help you log in and do other banking tasks securely. Ordering a PSK
Restrictions
- Windows and Blackberry phones are not supported.
- Customers using Huawei cannot update their operating system since US authorities prohibited access to Android stores for those devices in 2019. Unfortunately, this is outside of our control.
- Biometric login using face or fingerprint cannot be enabled on rooted Android or jailbroken iOS devices, in other words devices where any of the manufacturer’s software restrictions have been removed.
If the software on your mobile phone or tablet is up to date then you don’t have to take any action. Thank you for keeping your devices up to date. This helps to keep you safe.
If you need to discuss thisPlease get in touch if you have any questions relating to this software update.
Republic of Ireland:
- 0818 365 365 or 01 404 4000
- +353 1 404 4000 (from anywhere else)
We’re open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (including Bank holidays).
Saturday 10am to 2pm.
Closed Sunday.
Northern Ireland and Great Britain:
- 03457 365 555 (from NI or GB)
- +44 3457 365 555 (from anywhere else)
We’re open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Saturday 9am to 2pm.
9am to 2pm on bank holidays.