Can I continue using my Bangkok Bank App while abroad with a new phone?

August 8, 2024
2 months ago
Dana *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
New phone, same Thai SIM, out of Thailand, access to BKB App ?

Hi there..

I am currently visiting familly in Switzerland for next 2 months, and I use my BKB App here with no problems. In my mobile phone bought in Thailand long time ago, I have my Swiss SIM card and my Thai SIM card (activated for international roaming before leaving Thailand, in case).

I would like to buy a new phone here in Switzerland, insert in it my 2 SIM cards (Swiss and Thai) and transfer 100% data from old to new phone. Does somebody know whether I will continue to be able to open and use my BKB App with my new phone here in Switzerland ? I am scared of BKB not "recognising" my new phone (yet still my Thai number SIM in it) and not allowing me to open and use the BKB App while here in Switzerland.

What is your experience or thought ?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user is concerned about using the Bangkok Bank (BKB) App after switching to a new phone while abroad in Switzerland. Comments from other users suggest that while the app may not recognize a new device, it is possible to transfer data and retain access if the Thai SIM card is properly configured. Some recommend having access to a Thailand-based ATM for initial setup, while others highlight that inbound SMS for OTPs can be received internationally. Maintaining both devices and utilizing Wi-Fi for access on the new phone is also advised.
Glenn *****
BBL not BKB or BKK bank
Kim *********
nothing to be scared of. If it doesn't work then move the sim cards back.
Cliff *********
Keep the old phone and sim inside if it.

When you return to Thailand go to any BB branch and have the new phone and old sim registered.

Otherwise you will lose you ability to do online banking.
Steve *******
You'll need to register your new device on the Bangkok bank app
Ian ********
You have to use mobile data not WiFi to register your new phone on the app. So I think you would need to use your thai SIM card and data associated with the phone number that bank has for your account.
David *********
The banking app is installed on the phone not the sim. An example I had a problem with my IPhone and I did a factory reset. I was outside Thailand and had to wait to return to Thailand. I them went to the bank and the app was reset
John **********
If your number remains the same then you can just open the bkk app and log in but you will need your customer number to do so, not your account number
Dana *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
OK, thank you John.
Alexandre *********
What I have been doing for many years is to put the thai sim card back in the phone whenever i need to get an otp or use a thai app. Before leaving Thailand you need to change some settings to allow receiving sms abroad through wifi (this option is standard for true, ais and dtac). When you need to use the app, change the sim card while being on airplane mode. Once the thai sim is in your phone, switch wifi on on your phone (ONLY wifi). You will be able to access your thai apps and get thai sms (including OTPs) and it won’t cost you a baht.

I suggest you keep your old phone for now. Don’t switch abroad as uploading and changing thai carrier parameters could be challenging.

Cheers
John ********
@Alexandre ********
sorry don’t understand this. Inbound SMS messages even abroad are not charged. So you can roam on your Thai sim outside Thailand.

Do you have a single SIM phone?
Alexandre *********
@John *******
yes. The issue is not the cost of inbound sms but network compatibility. You just might not be able to receive them at all. Staying off local networks while on the thai sim was advised by Dtac. You avoid conflicts, compatibility issues and other potential unnecessary unpleasantness. I do switch sim cards for 10 minutes once in a while abroad.
John ********
@Alexandre ********
can you give me an example of a ‘conflict’? Sorry can’t understand that.
Alexandre *********
@John *******
as an example, while in France, I cannot connect to any of the local networks with a thai sim (don’t know why). If you bring a mobile from abroad in most countries, you will have to update settings as per the carrier T&C and local regulations. Some phones can be bought with promotions from a carrier, you might have to unlock it before being able to use anotre sim, etc.
Michael ********
One person posted the other day he had problems doing this. But i did it a few months ago and true just transferred whole phone data to new phone and the bangkok bank app was one app i never had any issues with.
John ********
I didnt have any problems. Also you can use the website on a computer as a backup. No need to visit an ATM with a new phone with existing SIM card.

Need to make sure you can get SMS messages to your Thai number in Switzerland
Dana *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
My Thai SIM has the international roaming activated. Should be fine. Thank you !
Steve *******
You will need access to a BKK bank ATM to get login info the first time you install the app on a new phone.

So don't do it unless you have someone here with your ATM card who can do it for you.
Paul ********
It will not be able to use the Bangkok bank app as it will not recognise the devise. I do this back home and luckily I kept my old phone and use WiFi to do anything I needed on the bank app

When back in Thailand just go to the bank they will sort it out on the new phone.
Dana *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul *******
Thank you Paul. I was not sure whether the App does or not need also to recognise the devise, besides the phone number. Very useful to know.
Peter ****************
@Dana ******
Well I think best advice is to let it on y'r phone for now. I downloaded the BKB app on my new phone, but could not register it (Android, while IN Thailand). To make a long story short; my (Avast) virusscanner was in the way. After deleted, it was okay. Then I just put back this virusscanner and it still was okay. Sometimes also a VPN app installed can give problems, also when it is not running. In y'r situation I would not take the risk and keep it on y'r old phone for now.
Paul ********
@Dana ******
the new phone has a me iemi number but Thais can use their id cards for verification
John ********
@Paul *******
do you seriously think everyone in Thailand that has a new phone has to visit a bank branch?
Pieter **************
@John *******
even then sometime your ID will not be accepted, so hold on to your old phone until the new one is accepted in the bankoffice where you opened your account
John ********
@Pieter *************
not required if your number stays the same
Pieter **************
Paul ********
@John *******
well I did
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