Millions could be locked out of banking accounts due to iPhone rule

Millions of people could be at risk of being locked out of their bank accounts due to an iPhone rule.

People affected will need to upgrade their smartphones or risk losing access to their banking.

There are multiple high street banks that will require customers to use certain models of phones in order to log into their banking on the apps.

You'll need to use an iPhone 6S or later to access your banking (Oscar Wong/Getty)

In fact, you need to have an iPhone 6S or a more certain model in order to keep using your account.

Speaking to the Sun, consumer expert Martyn James said: “One of the forgotten consequences of the rush to move our banking online is the tyranny of the software update

“Many of us hold on to our older Apple phones because we don't want to fork out upwards of £1,000 for a new model.

“Yet, this means we can't download the latest software updates, which means we can't gain access to our basic banking facilities.”

Which operating system do the banks require?

So, if you’re worried about your own access to banking, here’s the run down of what different banks require.

Barclays say that users will need to be running Android 8.0 and above or Apple iOS 15 and above to access their banking app.

Customers who are using older operating systems will need use online banking to access services.

If you bank with Nationwide, you’ll need a device using Android TM 7.0 or higher, or Apple iOS 14 or higher.

HSBC UK requires Android OS 8 and Apple iOS 14 for their mobile banking app.

For Santander, their app can support Android OS 8 or later and iPhones running on IOS 13 or later.

And Lloyds lets you use their app on a device using Android OS 7 or higher or Apple iOS 14 and higher.

With many banks closing up shop on the high street and turning to online, it looks like we might not a choice but to upgrade our smartphones in order to keep accessing our banking.

With many banks closing their branches, customers have no choice but to turn to banking on their phone (Javier Zayas Photography/Getty)

Unfortunately, the latest version of iOS is only available on an iPhone 6S or later models, meaning if you own an older phone, you need to fork out on a new one to keep using your banking app.

Experts have warned that this could impact older customers as they may not have the need or money to purchase a new device.

More than 6,000 bank branches have closed in the last 10 years and last month, Lloyds announced that it would shut up to 60 branches.

NatWest also plans to close up 98 shops this year and Santander has shut over 470 branches in the last nine years.