British friends: firstdirect have locked me out of my account because I use an open version of Android (Graphene), and, per the guy on the phone, "open source is not secure." Any suggestions for a UK bank that uses sensible security (e.g. authenticator app)?
@pluralistic I'm using Starling Bank under GrapheneOS on my Pixel Fold and have zero issues
@pluralistic Sadly I don't have any, but I have the same problem with #bancodobrasil. The amount of cargo cult "security" in banking apps is absolutely insane.
@pluralistic FD app complained yesterday about my GrapheneOS Pixel 8a. I was able to bypass that problem by turning on Graphene’s “Exploit protection compatibility mode” - the app then loaded normally, as far as I can tell.
That may help us both limp along until we get better bank accounts set up.
@pluralistic have you tried clearing the app cache (not the data)? That just worked for me, pixel 8a, up to date grapheneOS. Also, as people have mentioned, Nationwide's app has worked correctly for about a year (and they're probably the least evil option of the major banks)
Locked out of Account, sounds familiar, Ing locked me out telling me I must have a phone with android 13 and google services all allowed incl play protect.
I now have a Photo Tan Generator which allows me to use my account without directly enabling google to look over my shoulder.
Does your bank work with such a device.
@pluralistic I bet they have no problems with these phones though https://thehackernews.com/2026/10/low-cost-android-phones-ship-with.html?m=1 :D
@pluralistic I have Graphene OS, and a banking profile which includes First Direct. A while ago I got locked out of FD (I was at EMF Camp, and I think the European IP address spooked it), and couldn't unlock it due to "insecure operating system".
However, once back on my own network, I was able to uninstall and reinstall the FD app, and set it up from fresh and it worked. The only catch was that I had to use my old Android phone to generate a security code. But it has worked fine since then.
@pluralistic So I have used HSBC for a while with LineageOS and didn't have an issue, that being said I did not use a custom keyboard, just the one that Lineage provides ootb so I might not have run into the same issue. However, HSBC does also alow use of a secure key (a small device which generates log on codes for the website) which will obviate the need for an app at all assuming that that is possible with your situation. If you have a local HSBC branch you can ask about them there.
@pluralistic Have you considered not using a banking app? Most banks offer a web interface which works with standard browsers.
@pluralistic I'm in the UK using GrapheneOS and Nationwide, Triodos & Starling apps all work fine. Barclays also works fine with exploit protection compatibility mode switched on but I mostly moved away from them as for a while the app wasn't working at all.
@pluralistic I still have a physical 2FA key fob thingy from FirstDirect. It works fine on their website. Dunno if they are issuing new ones.
@pluralistic First Direct works (for me) in a second "user" account on GrapheneOS with Google Play Framework installed. So GPF is only available to apps in the other user account *and* #GrapheneOS sandboxes it. Also have Wise, Virgin etc. in there.
@pluralistic Nationwide, Monzo, and Starling all work on GrapheneOS
@pluralistic
Well done.
I chose a weaker approach: created a work profile on my Graphene using Shelter.
Here I enabled Google Play Services, where I put bank apps and whatever.
'Main' profile is completely opensource.
@pluralistic I'm on GrapheneOS.
Wise works and uses TOTP.
Nationwide works but uses either a card reader or SMS.
Tide works, but only biometrics.
@Edent Do you use Wise for regular banking though? I thought it was just transfers.
@pluralistic yeah. It has a regular sort code / account number. Also does Direct Debits.
https://wise.com/help/articles/2977956/getting-started-with-direct-debits
@Edent Do you worry that they're not deposit-insured under the FSCS? Seems like if they go bust, get hacked, or lose your money, you're out of luck. I can see using them for transfers, but holding a balance there seems very risky.
@pluralistic they're only one of the banks I use - so I consider the risk minor.
They do safeguard the funds separately (https://www.fca.org.uk/firms/emi-payment-institutions-safeguarding-requirements).
Personally, I only keep a small amount in each regular bank account. The rest is swept into savings. If they were to get catastrophically destroyed, it would only cost me a month or so.
Less risky than keeping it under the mattress, I reckon 😄
@pluralistic @gunstick the UK is arresting 93 year olds for terrorism. They’re beyond helping.