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App Permissions

Below is more info about the permissions our apps either require or ask you for.

Android app permissions:

Permission as shown in Google Play

Why we ask for this permission

Allow BankSA to access photos, media and files on your device?

The app needs this permission so you can save documents to your device (such as an eStatment PDF). The app needs to access your files so it can check you have enough storage space to save the document.

You can change this permission to on/off at any time through the main Settings app on your device.

Allow BankSA to access your contacts?

We need this permissions so the app can open your contacts list for services such as Pay to Mobile.

You can change this permission to on/off at any time through the main Settings app on your device.

Allow BankSA to access this device's location?

We use this permission so the app can show you where the nearest St.George, Bank of Melbourne and BankSA branches and ATMs are, and to identify when you enter a branch.

You can change this permission to on/off at any time through the main Settings app on your device.

Allow BankSA to make and manage phone calls?

This app won’t actually make or manage phone calls. This permission is needed so the app can read your phone’s status and identity, which we need so you can do your banking securely.

Device & app history (mobile and tablet app)

  • retrieve running apps

We use this permission so the app can see if our Payway is running on your device.

Identity (mobile and tablet app)

  • find accounts on the device

We use this permission so you can receive notifications on your device.  For example for security and authentication purposes, for notifications you may have set up (such as a credit card reminder alert) or to send other information relevant to you.

Contacts (mobile and tablet app)

  • read your contacts
  • modify your contacts

We ask for this permission so you can open your contacts list and select a recipient for Pay to Mobile payments. We don’t modify your contacts in any way. 

Location (mobile and tablet app)

  • approximate location (network-based)
  • precise location (GPS and network-based)

We use this permission so the app can show you where the nearest St.George, Bank of Melbourne and BankSA branches and ATMs are, and to identify when you enter a branch.

SMS (mobile app only)

  • send SMS messages

We use this permission so the app can send SMS messages for things like Secure Code, Pay to Mobile payments, receiving a Cardless Cash code and any SMS alerts you may have set up. For example, for Secure Code you receive SMS messages to provide an extra layer of security when doing things like resetting your password. 

Phone (mobile app only)

  • directly call phone numbers

This permission allows you to call us from within the app. 

Photos / Media / Files (mobile and tablet app)

  • read the contents of your USB storage
  • modify or delete the contents of your USB storage

We use this permission so you can save PDFs to your device, such as eStatements. We don’t actually modify or delete any content from your device or USB storage. 

Device ID & call information (mobile and tablet app)

  • read phone status and identity

We use this permission for security purposes regarding your identity and your devices identity. We don’t access your call information or call log. 

Other (mobile and tablet app)

  • receive data from Internet
  • view network connections
  • full network access
  • prevent device from sleeping
  • control vibration
  • run at startup

The app requires an internet connection and needs to identify and access your internet networks.

The app needs to run at startup so that it can send you notifications, if you have these set up.

iPhone and iPad app permissions:

Permission as shown in your devices settings

Why we ask for this permission

Location (iPhone and iPad)

  • While using: Access to your location is only available when the app or one of its features is visible on the screen.
  • Always: Access to your location will be available even when this app is in the background. 

We ask for this permission so the app can show you where the nearest St.George, Bank of Melbourne and BankSA branches and ATMs are. You can select to allow the location permission ‘While using’ the app or ‘Always’ which lets you view ATM and branch locations on Apple Watch without having to have the app open on your iPhone. 

Notifications (iPhone and iPad)

  • Show alerts on the lock screen, and in Notification Centre when it is accessed from the lock screen.   

We ask for this permission so you can receive communications from the bank. For example for security and authentication purposes, for notifications you may have set up (such as a credit card reminder alert) or to send you other information relevant to you. 

Contacts (iPhone only)

  • "BankSA" Would like to Access Your Contacts

We ask for this permission so you can open your contacts list and select a recipient for Pay to Mobile payments.