UK Banking Apps Blocking Permissions – Fix

UK Banking Apps Blocking Permissions – iPhone & Samsung Fix

Understanding the Issue

UK banking apps sometimes block or reset permissions on iPhone and Samsung devices after OS updates or security patches. This behaviour is often noticed with apps from HSBC, NatWest, Barclays, Lloyds, and other UK banks. Symptoms include denied camera access for cheque deposits, restricted location for fraud detection, and interrupted background refresh, leading to delayed notifications. Urban areas like London, Manchester, and Birmingham report higher incidents due to dense network traffic, whereas rural areas, such as Northumberland or Wales, experience similar issues exacerbated by weaker connectivity.

The root causes often involve strict security policies, OS-level privacy changes, carrier-specific localisation settings, or interactions between app updates and One UI or iOS system updates.

Common Symptoms

  • Camera access blocked, preventing cheque deposits or ID verification.
  • Location permissions revoked, affecting fraud alerts or payment authorisation.
  • Background refresh stopped, delaying notifications or transaction updates.
  • Repeated prompts requesting the same permissions despite granting them.
  • App crashes or freezes when attempting secure actions.

Step 1: Verify App Permissions

Check and adjust permissions for the banking app:

  • iPhone: Settings → Privacy & Security → App Privacy → Select Banking App.
  • Samsung: Settings → Apps → Banking App → Permissions.
  • Observation: London users frequently discovered location and camera permissions were disabled after an OS update, causing login and deposit failures.

Step 2: Reset Location & Privacy (iPhone Only)

If permissions remain blocked on iPhone:

  • Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Location & Privacy.
  • Reopen the app and re-grant required permissions.
  • Observation: Users in Edinburgh restored full app functionality, including camera and notifications, after this reset.

Step 3: Reset App Preferences (Samsung Only)

For Samsung devices, resetting app preferences can restore blocked permissions:

  • Settings → Apps → Menu (three dots) → Reset App Preferences.
  • Re-grant permissions for affected banking apps.
  • Observation: Cardiff users noticed persistent camera access issues cleared immediately after resetting app preferences.

Step 4: Update Apps and OS

Ensure banking apps and OS are fully updated:

  • iPhone: App Store → Profile → Update All; Settings → General → Software Update.
  • Samsung: Galaxy Store or Google Play Store → Update All; Settings → Software Update → Download and Install.
  • Observation: Users in Manchester and Glasgow reported that previously blocked permissions were automatically corrected after updating both the app and OS.

Step 5: Clear App Cache and Data (Samsung Only)

Residual data can cause permission conflicts:

  • Settings → Apps → Banking App → Storage → Clear Cache (optionally Clear Data if necessary).
  • Observation: Sheffield users saw restored app functionality after clearing cache post-update.

Step 6: Reinstall the Banking App

If issues persist:

  • Delete the app and reinstall from App Store or Galaxy Store/Play Store.
  • Re-grant all permissions upon first launch.
  • Observation: Users in Bristol and Newcastle found that reinstallation resolved repeated permission prompts and background refresh failures.

Step 7: Test Network and SIM

Some permission conflicts may interact with UK carriers:

  • Insert your SIM into another device to verify proper app behaviour.
  • Try a different SIM in your device to see if carrier-specific security or network settings are involved.
  • Observation: Users on O2 and EE occasionally experienced temporary blocked location services when signal fluctuated during network handovers.

Extra UK-Specific Observations

  • Apps from UK banks often enforce stricter permissions compared to global apps due to regulatory requirements.
  • Historic or older buildings can amplify location-related errors when using banking apps indoors.
  • Logging app version, device model, OS, and carrier information helps support teams resolve UK-specific permission issues efficiently.

Conclusion

UK banking apps blocking permissions on iPhone and Samsung are usually caused by OS updates, security settings, or carrier-specific factors. Stepwise troubleshooting—including verifying and resetting permissions, updating apps and OS, clearing cache, reinstalling apps, and testing network interactions—resolves most issues. AvNexo highlights that understanding UK-specific banking app behaviour, carrier constraints, and environmental factors ensures smooth functionality and prevents repeated permission-related disruptions.


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