Some Bank of Ireland customers face app blackout unless they get new phone

Some Bank of Ireland customers face a blackout of their smartphone app unless they update their device or buy a newer model before the end of the month.

Security updates and other functions will not work on devices with older operating systems with Android 11 or higher or Apple's iOS version 15 or newer required to operate the app effectively. 

“Your BoI app will not be supported on this device after March 31 unless you update to Android 11 or higher," some customers were told in a message this week.

The iOS system required on Apple devices was released three years ago while the Version 11 on Android which is predominantly used on Samsung devices, was released less than four years ago.

A statement from Bank of Ireland read: "If customers don’t update their device's operating system, they will no longer receive BoI app updates from the 31st March.

"That does not mean that the app will not work in the short-term, but over time it will not work for customers as we add/update functionality. Customers should regularly update to the latest operating system so their device is not at risk from potential vulnerabilities.

"The operating systems that are being removed from support shortly have not been supported by either Apple or Google for more than a year, so they have not received any updates to address new vulnerabilities in the operating system in over 12 months."

The app will also no longer work next month for those using Huawei devices. These customers will have to access their online banking on a desktop of browser, but only if they order a physical security key from the bank.