Welcome (back) to George! Whether you start the George App for the very first time or you re-install George on a new phone, here's what you need for a smooth new beginning.
Get Started with the George App on a New Device
Last Article Update 28.09.2023
Content of this article:
- Before you start
- Step 1: Get your activation code for s Identity
- Step 2: Activate s Identity on your (new) device
- Step 3: Login to George on your (new) device
Click on any of these steps (you can also find them in the right side menu) to get directly to the respective description.
Before you start
Before you start the George App for the first time on your mobile device, you need:
- A valid User ID (the Austrians call it "Verfügernummer"):
If you are a complete newbie, you will get it with your account opening confirmation from your bank.
Existing customers can also find it on the back side of your debit card. You may also user personal Username if you have set one up in your George profile. - The George Österreich App: Install it on your (new) phone from the AppStore, Google Play Store or the Huawei App Gallery.
- The s Identity App: You need this app in addition to George in order to securely login to George and to sign actions, e. g. your transfers. Install s Identity on your (new) phone from the AppStore, Google Play Store or the Huawei App Gallery.
- A valid Activation Code for s Identity (more on that in the following steps)
Step 1: Get your activation code for s Identity
In addition to George, you currently need the s Identity App for your logins and signings with the George App.
s Identity is a highly secure and convenient authentification application which fulfills als requirements for a so-called "2-factor-authentification":
- In order to authorise anything with s Identity, you need a specific s Identity PIN which can be enhanced later by FaceID (iOS) or biometric recognition (Android): something only you know / something only you can be.
- s Identity needs to be activated for and bound to a specific device: something only you own.
In order to activate s Identity for your specific device, you need a unique and personal one-time activation code for s Identity.
The s Identity activation code either comes as a unique QR Code or as an alphanumeric code. Here's how you get it.
Existing George user
How to get your s Identity activation code as an existing George and s Identity user
If you are already using the George App and s Identity and want to install both on your new phone, there are more and easier ways to get your activation code so you can get the George App started within a few minutes:
- use George and s Identity on your old device:
Go to your George App Profile, open the Login & Signing menu, Your signing method (this has to be s Identity) and select Add new signing device.
After you sign this action with s Identity on your old device, George will display the activation code for your new device.
- use the George browser version:
Go to your George settings and open the Login & Signing menu. Under Your Authorisation Method (must be s Identity) and Your s Identity devices, you can Add a new device.
After you sign this action with s Identity on your old device, George will display the activation code for your new device.
- at any branch of Erste Bank und Sparkasse
- at a self-service terminal in a branch: please note that the terminal must offer functionalities for George (e.g. some "ordinary" older ATMs don't)
- via registered mail after you order the activation code at the s Service Center
Step 2: Activate s Identity on your (new) device
No matter if you are a new customer or an existing George user, once you have your activation code, you can open your s Identity app and activate it on your (new) device.
- When asked which authorisation method you're currently using, select s Identity (existing user) or New to George.
- s Identity then asks you if you have an activation code. If you followed the steps before, you should be able to select Yes.
- Please enter your User ID ("Verfügernummer"). If you have created a personal username already, you cannot use it here.
- Please enter or scan the activation code.
- Define and confirm your personal PIN for s Identity. You will need it later for ýour first login to s Identity.
Please do not forget this PIN.
- You are done with the registration of s Identity on your new device. Please proceed to the first login.
- Login to s Identity for the first time, using your User ID ("Verfügernummer") and your freshly created PIN for s Identity.
- Immediately after your first login, s Identity will ask you to setup FaceID (iOS) or biometric recognition (Android) for future logins to s Identity as well as to allow push notifications to your device. Both is highly recommended.
Congrats. You are done with the s Identity part.
Step 3: Login to George on your (new) device
Now comes the fun part that you've been working for: The first login to your George App on your (new) device:
- Open the George Österreich App and select Login to George.
- Enter your User ID ("Verfügernummer"). If you are an existing George user and if you have created your own personal username, you can also enter that one.
- Complete your first login to George with s Identity that you have setup just before.
Please note that for security reasons, s Identity will not automatically open itself for your first George login. Please open the s Identity App manually and complete the login.
- Immediately after your first login, George will ask you to activate Easy Access (e. g. FaceID for iOS or biometric recognition for Android) for future logins as well as to activate push notifications. Both is highly recommendend. You can also do it at a later stage though.
Welcome (back) to George!
Congrats. You can now begin or continue your financial journey with George. Enjoy!
Author: Dag Erik Zimen