Anyone still using an older iPhone model or classic Android device should urgently check their system version. From 14 February 2026 onwards, financial institutions will raise security standards, resulting in mobile phones with outdated operating systems being unable to use banking apps.
The Thai Bankers' Association has reiterated that, starting 14 February 2026, all banks' mobile banking applications will only support devices running iOS 14 and Android 10 or later. Therefore, if your smartphone is an older model that cannot update to these system versions, you will not be able to use banking apps. The association cited popular phone models that cannot update to the new system versions, such as:
Thairath Money contacted a senior banking executive who explained that this is not a push to force new purchases but a matter of security. Technology continually evolves to counter rising cyber threats, both from smartphone manufacturers and Thai banks, which have implemented features like facial recognition and measures to prevent criminals from accessing devices.
For mobile banking users, it is essential to use an operating system that can be consistently updated to maintain improving security standards. If banks allow use of outdated systems with higher risks, they could face accountability questions.
This update is expected to have minimal impact on the majority of the public, as a major update was implemented previously. This is considered a final phase. Nowadays, people of all ages are increasingly comfortable with mobile transactions, for example, the "Pao Tang" app is widely used even among seniors for lottery purchases and mobile payments.
For instance, a medium-sized bank with around 6 to 7 million mobile banking users has only about a thousand users needing to upgrade their phones to support iOS 14 and Android 10 or higher.
Additionally, the association and various banks have studied that phones supporting these operating systems are not expensive (priced around 2,000 - 4,000 baht). Both new and second-hand options are available in the market. While many might view this change as "not difficult," not everyone can easily afford to replace their phones at this price point.
Therefore, the challenge for banks and related parties is how to adapt and develop solutions to inclusively support all groups, ensuring no one is left behind—especially those underserved by financial services.
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