TSB mobile banking app review: what's it like to use for current account holders?

Find out how the new TSB Mobile Banking app stacks up on security, logging in, making payments and more.

When it comes to finding a new current account, the mobile banking app experience is increasingly one of our top priorities.

More than 19.6 million people in the UK regularly used banking apps in 2016 – up from 17.6 million in 2015, according to the British Banker’s Association.

Typically, 159 logins and a whopping 932 million mobile transactions were made every second last year as more and more of us go digital to manage our money.

Here, we take a look at TSB’s banking app to weigh up the features, security and more.

Have a look at our reviews of first direct, Halifax, NatWest, Santander and Barclays to see how it compares.

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Why TSB?

Following its well-publicised IT issues, you might wonder why anyone would want to join TSB.

In order to win over an angry public, it has increased the rate it pays on balances of up to £1,500 from 3% to 5%, making it one of the best accounts for those who are constantly in the black.

While the account sounds decent, will the mobile banking app match up to your expectations? We gave it a test run to see what it’s like to us for current account customers.

Who can get the TSB app?

The new TSB Mobile Banking app is available to TSB account holders who have registered for internet banking.

It’s available for download from the Apple App Store and Google Play to use on Apple and Android smartphones and tablets.

However, neither the new and older version of the TSB app are no longer available for Blackberry and Windows devices.

What you can see

You can view and manage a variety of TSB accounts including any current accounts, savings accounts or credit cards you have with the bank.

But for this review, we’ll be focusing on the functionality available for current account holders with the app.

What you can do

With the TSB Mobile Banking app current account customers can:

• View balances and transaction history;
• Set up, view or cancel Direct Debits;
• Set up, view or cancel Standing Orders;
• Set up payments to a company or person;
• View pending payments;
•  Make transfers between TSB current and savings accounts;
• Apply for other TSB products;
• View contact numbers;
• Get an idea of how much it’ll cost to use your TSB debit card abroad;
• Find your nearest TSB branch.

What we like

Here’s what we liked about the new TSB Mobile Banking app.

It’s simple to log in

The new banking app is set up fingerprint authentication, which means you can gain access to the app with just your fingerprint if your device has this feature.

Alternatively, you can stick to inputting three characters from your memorable information to access the app.

You can safely copy details

Most banking apps never let you copy or take a screenshot of anything you can see on your screen for security reasons.

This can be frustrating if you just need simple details like your sort code and account number.

But now the new TSB banking app allows you to copy certain details associated with your account like sort code and account number and IBAN/BIC that people often need to share.

This is a really handy feature as it’s easy to make a mistake when sharing this information for payments and it removes the need to have to write the information down and risk it getting into the wrong hands.

Pending transactions update

The app shows all your pending transactions, so you can tell which payments still haven’t left your account.

In our review of Santander’s Mobile banking app, this feature was non-functional in our test.

You can check the cost of international payments

The latest version of the TSB app includes a feature that allows you to check the cost of using your TSB debit card abroad to withdraw cash or make a purchase.

This is a really handy feature to keep track of your spending while you are on holiday.

Take a look at: Best debit cards to use abroad: foreign usage fees charged by Halifax, Barclays, HSBC and more to see how TSB compares on charges.

Features aren’t hidden behind a log in screen

Some key features like the branch locator and international payment cost checking calculator can be accessed as soon as you open the app and before logging in.

So, if you need information in a hurry, it’s handy having important information that isn't trapped behind a layer of security.

The text is bigger

The size of the text on the app is larger than most other apps we’ve seen, making it easier for those with poor sight to navigate.

What we don’t like

Here are some of the things we’re not so keen on with the new TSB banking app.

It won’t work on jailbroken devices

The new TSB app won’t run on rooted, or jailbroken, devices.

These devices override some of the safeguards in an operating system so could leave it more vulnerable to an attack by things like malware, which means your data could be more at risk.

So, if you’re not running an official version of Android or iOS the TSB app won’t work.

While this sounds like a logical step to take for security reasons, not all banks take the same approach, which lots of smartphone users appreciate.

This Reddit discussion highlights some of the banks that will let you use your app on rooted or jailbroken devices, if you’re one of those people that sees this as a negative too.

The layout is a bit weird

All transactions are listed on one screen and are no longer split up by month in the new TSB app.

Since there’s no functionality to search for payments by name or date, this means a lot of scrolling if you are trying to track down some information about your account.

The app confusingly uses a button called ‘Move money’ displayed underneath your balance information as a catch-all term for actions like set up a new payee, make a payment to an existing contact etc, which isn't very intuitive. 

You can also only see three months’ worth of transactions. To see more you have to log onto internet banking.

What other customers think

Google Play store rating: 2.0 out of 5

Apple app store rating: 1.8 out of 5

What do you think?

What’s your experience of using the new TSB Mobile Banking app? Share your thoughts in the comment section below. Finally, don't forget to have a read of our first direct, Halifax, NatWest, Santander and Barclays app reviews to find your favourite.

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More in this series:

Santander mobile banking app: what's it like to use for current account holders?