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I tried to open a Number 26 account. After going through, and passing, their KYC process I found out the account could only be activated through their app. That

I tried to open a Number 26 account. After going through, and passing, their KYC process I found out the account could only be activated through their app. That is despite lack of clarity in their documentation, which I believe clearly suggest activation can be completed online through a browser. Guess what? Their Android app can only be downloaded through Google's Play Store. I'm running CyanogenMod on my phone without gapps installed, so there was no way forward for me. Number 26 even sent me a debit card in the post, which I couldn't activate.

scrollaway 11y ago
Yeah, I had some similar issues with their activation process - I don't have a mobile phone number and part of their activation process requires one, so I had to borrow a phone. The idnow.eu company they work with is a nice idea (and far better than the alternatives) but I actually found they were rude and unhelpful when camera quality isn't at its best. I think these things can be fixed though, and I'm willing to take one-time signup pains for a continuous pleasant experience. I'm still waiting on my card, looking forward to actually trying them out day to day. Far better than HSBC in any case. What a joke. I could write a few paragraphs on how atrocious everything about them is...
germanier 11y ago
I also remember that they talked about such an option. To be fair they state in multiple locations that using their app is a prerequisite for having an account (I think I even remember checking such a box during signup). You also can't authorize transfers without their app. This is a deliberate choice on their side.
- phillc73 11y ago
  Happy to install the app, just give me a direct apk and don't force me to use Google's Play Store.
  - scrollaway 11y ago
    To be fair this is an exceedingly uncommon use case. I do think they should provide a standalone apk link though, you could talk to support about it.
    - phillc73 11y ago
      I have talked to Number 26 support about it and their response, while courteous, amounted to "too bad, we don't offer a direct apk download. If you don't download the app from the Play Store, you can't verify your account."

scrollaway 11y ago

Yeah, I had some similar issues with their activation process - I don't have a mobile phone number and part of their activation process requires one, so I had to borrow a phone. The idnow.eu company they work with is a nice idea (and far better than the alternatives) but I actually found they were rude and unhelpful when camera quality isn't at its best. I think these things can be fixed though, and I'm willing to take one-time signup pains for a continuous pleasant experience. I'm still waiting on my card, looking forward to actually trying them out day to day. Far better than HSBC in any case. What a joke. I could write a few paragraphs on how atrocious everything about them is...

germanier 11y ago

I also remember that they talked about such an option. To be fair they state in multiple locations that using their app is a prerequisite for having an account (I think I even remember checking such a box during signup). You also can't authorize transfers without their app. This is a deliberate choice on their side.

phillc73 11y ago
Happy to install the app, just give me a direct apk and don't force me to use Google's Play Store.
- scrollaway 11y ago
  To be fair this is an exceedingly uncommon use case. I do think they should provide a standalone apk link though, you could talk to support about it.
  - phillc73 11y ago
    I have talked to Number 26 support about it and their response, while courteous, amounted to "too bad, we don't offer a direct apk download. If you don't download the app from the Play Store, you can't verify your account."