ABSA Banking App and Sony Xperia Users

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Milano

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For approx. 10 days Sony Xperia users have been unable to access the ABSA banking app as the app will now force close on launching the app.

No problem as you can just do your internet banking on your desktop right? No, because this is the same app that is required to accept Sure Check security validations for your desktop online banking.

ABSA product specialists were able to get Samsung S9 users working by enabling developer options in Android and changing animation settings.

They are as yet still unable to find a workaround for Sony Xperia phones. Leaving those users unable to perform any online banking which requires 'ABSA secure checks'.

Meanwhile the FNB app continues to function perfectly on Sony Xperia phones.

What are your thoughts in terms of the competence levels displayed by ABSA?

Do you see this as a really complex situation and that ABSA cannot expect all updates to function across all phones and a 10 day wait with no end day in sight and is therefore acceptable? Or ABSA should have the resources to have this up and running for all users in a reasonable amount of time like 2 to 3 business days?
 
Is there no way to change your settings on online banking to authenticate via OTP?

If you uninstall the app completely, would it force a fallback to OTP?
 
Milano said:
For approx. 10 days Sony Xperia users have been unable to access the ABSA banking app as the app will now force close on launching the app.
Click to expand...

Which Xperia phone and which Android OS version? (just curious)
I am running a Sony XZ1 with Oreo (android 8) and the April patch level - and no issues.
 
Mike Hoxbig said:
Is there no way to change your settings on online banking to authenticate via OTP?

If you uninstall the app completely, would it force a fallback to OTP?
Click to expand...

Not automatically. Just checked with ABSA, I will need to visit a branch with a letter explaining why I would like to return to the insecure system of OTP via SMS. It may be my only option even though that SMS system is flawed (and I assume they will not cover a loss under those circumstances). Maybe I should just pick up a sub R1k vanilla android phone to use until they rectify (and hope it works).
 
Digilus said:
Which Xperia phone and which Android OS version? (just curious)
I am running a Sony XZ1 with Oreo (android 8) and the April patch level - and no issues.
Click to expand...

Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra with Android 8. Did you receive a Sony software update during the past 10 days?

Edit: Sorry I see you have the April Sony update too.

Which ABSA app version are you running?
 
Last edited:
backstreetboy said:
Surely business accounts will use the tried and trusted keyfob?
Click to expand...

ABSA offers keyfobs for business accounts? Never been offered that.

Edit: Cannot find any search results for keyfob on ABSA.co.za
 
Milano said:
Which ABSA app version are you running?
Click to expand...
Absa app 5.2.0

I have had a lot of fun with the ABSA apps in the past - when I sent my old phone in for repairs, and the ABSA server wanted to send authentication request to the old phone - in order to install the app on a new phone. (Seems like you have to deregister the old handset on the app first - before it breaks lol!)

Went to the customer care desk at the ABSA branch and had another 2 people with similiar problems. Took 45 minutes of them on the phone with techs - but finally got it re-installed and then they had to generate some security key to type in.

Might be worth you while uninstalling and going to the bank and just camping there? :(
 
Digilus said:
Absa app 5.2.0

I have had a lot of fun with the ABSA apps in the past - when I sent my old phone in for repairs, and the ABSA server wanted to send authentication request to the old phone - in order to install the app on a new phone. (Seems like you have to deregister the old handset on the app first - before it breaks lol!)

Went to the customer care desk at the ABSA branch and had another 2 people with similiar problems. Took 45 minutes of them on the phone with techs - but finally got it re-installed and then they had to generate some security key to type in.

Might be worth you while uninstalling and going to the bank and just camping there? :(
Click to expand...

5.2.0 here too.

mercurial said:
The latest version is 5.3.
Click to expand...

5.3? Android? I am 5.2.0. Just checked Play store no update available.
 
So far have uninstalled and reinstalled about a dozen times. Rebooted phone between each uninstall and each reinstall. Enabled developer options and checked animation settings. De-registered the device from absa desktop banking and gone to the branch to get a new security code. Re-added the device using security code. Still force closes on launch though.
 
Are there any recent apps you've installed? Their app is nefarious for failing in multiple ways when certain apps are on the phone. Don't ask me why. Especially system-type apps. They seem to flag the app.
 
If you go to Settings -> About Phone. Does it say the device status is "Official". You can also check this in the Play Store settings. It will say "Certified".
 
mercurial said:
Are there any recent apps you've installed? Their app is nefarious for failing in multiple ways when certain apps are on the phone. Don't ask me why. Especially system-type apps. They seem to flag the app.
Click to expand...

Tried uninstalling one messaging app that was recent, rebooted, still FC. There was a Sony software update in April which approximately coincided with ABSA app no longer working. Staff at ABSA believe the correlation is between that Sony update to Xperia phones. Sounded like all Xperia phones, seems not all from this thread through.
 
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