George ID
The new verfication method of George Business
- Everything in one app
- Fast, secure, and convenient
- Also for George Business on the computer
George ID
The new verification method of George Business
- Only one app: George ID is part of the George Business app and replaces the s Identity app.
- Approve more easily: No more complicated switching between two apps.
- George ID for computers: Available as a desktop app for Windows and macOS.
How do I get George ID?
As soon as George ID becomes available to you, we will notify you in George Business. Select the appropriate instructions for switching below, based on your role and your use of George Business and s Identity.
Please note:
During the switch process, we will never ask you for your user number, PIN, or the sharing of other confidential data. Please do not disclose any confidential information.
Your security is important to us
Be careful when being contacted outside of George Business (for example, by email). If in doubt, end any suspicious phone calls and pay attention to our fraud warnings in the Security Center.
If George ID is available for you, you will be informed exclusively within George Business
We are providing George ID in several phases. Therefore, not all customers will receive the prompt to switch at the same time. If you do not receive a prompt to switch within George Business, you do not need to take any action.
You will receive the message to switch to George ID within George Business on the computer or within the George Business app as soon as your George Business access is scheduled, and you can switch with just a few clicks.
Alternatively, users can contact their George Business administrators, who can also initiate the switch for them.
How to switch to George ID
Important: If you use the George Business app on multiple devices, you must reactivate the George Business app on any additional devices after switching to George ID on the first device. You can find details here
To switch to George ID, first select the role you have when using George Business. Then choose the appropriate instructions.
Administrator user
User without administrator role
Disposer (with or without administrator role)
Disposer using both George and George Business
Administrator user
By autumn 2026 at the latest, the s Identity approval method will be replaced by George ID. The function for approving logins and transactions will become part of the George Business app. After the transition, neither you nor the other users in your company will need the s Identity app anymore.
You can switch your users yourself as described below. Additionally, users — as well as all disposers (Verfüger) — will be personally prompted to switch when logging in to George Business (on the computer or in the George Business app) during the course of spring, and they will be able to complete the transition independently through a guided process. Support the transition of all users in your company through internal organizational measures and communication.
For those users who currently use the s Identity desktop app on their computer to approve logins and transactions, George ID for computers will be available as a replacement.
Step 1
Log in to George Business on your computer with your usual user account. Go to "Settings and Permissions" and select the user (including yourself) that you want to change by clicking on the "three dots".
Step 2
Select "Approval methods" in the menu.
Step 3
Select “George ID”, choose the desired language (German or English), and click “Download PDF”.
Pass the PDF on to the affected user, just as you previously did when distributing the s Identity activation code – either printed or via internal digital delivery. Make sure that only the affected user uses this activation code.
Step 4
The affected user can now activate George ID on their device, depending on how George Business and s Identity have been used so far.
To switch to George ID, select the appropriate instructions based on how you have previously used George Business and s Identity.
User without administrator role
How to link your device with George ID after receiving the activation code can be found here.
To switch to George ID, select the appropriate instructions based on how you have previously used George Business and s Identity.
Disposer with or without administrator role
Step 1
Log in to George Business on your computer with your usual user account. Go to "Settings and Permissions" and select the user (including yourself) that you want to change by clicking on the "three dots".
Step 2
Select "Approval methods" in the menu.
Step 3
Select “George ID”, choose the desired language (German or English), and click “Download PDF”.
Pass the PDF on to the affected user, just as you previously did when distributing the s Identity activation code – either printed or via internal digital delivery. Make sure that only the affected user uses this activation code.
Step 4
The affected user can now activate George ID on their device, depending on how George Business and s Identity have been used so far.
To switch to George ID, select the appropriate instructions based on how you have previously used George Business and s Identity.
Disposer using both George and George Business
You are using both George and George Business with the same user ID, and you have already switched to George ID.
Once you have switched to George ID, you must also newly link any additional installations of the George app or the George Business app with George ID on your smartphone or tablet, as they can no longer be used with s Identity.
You can approve logins and transactions in George Business on the computer using this user ID also via the George app, provided you have already switched to George ID there. You do not necessarily need the George Business app for this, although we recommend using it, also with regard to future enhancements. Conversely, you can also use the George Business app to approve actions for George on the computer if you are using the same user ID.
When using the same user ID, you can activate up to 8 devices for George, George Business, or George ID. The daily limit set in George does not apply when using George Business.
Step 1
Note in advance:
For the sake of simplicity, this guide only displays screens from the George Business app. The description is alternatively applicable to both the George app and the George Business app. The screens and processes are essentially the same; only the color design may differ slightly.
Open the George app or the George Business app on the device on which you have already switched to George ID. Tap the silhouette icon in the upper right corner to switch from the overview to the profile.
Step 2
Select “Device Management”, or in older app versions, “Login & Approval.”
Step 3
Now confirm that you want to “Add a new device.”
Step 4
Follow the instructions on your primary device, install George or George Business on the new device, and launch the app there.
Step 5
Press George Login or George Business Login on the new device, enter your user ID, and then the George ID PIN you set when switching to George ID. You will now be shown a menu titled “Scan QR Code.”
Step 6
Go back to your already linked primary device and confirm that you want to add a new device by pressing “Continue to activation.” After authentication (PIN or biometrics), an activation QR code will be displayed. Keep this screen open and switch back to the device you want to link with George (Business).
You must not share the QR code on your screen with any third party under any circumstances, even if you are asked to do so.
Step 7
Go to “Scan” on the device you want to pair and point the camera at the QR code on the primary device.
After scanning, the device will be linked with George ID.
Step 8
You can now enable biometrics for login and approvals if you wish.
The George ID PIN will still be requested if biometric recognition fails.
Step 9
You will now be asked to set a daily limit in the George app; this step is omitted in George Business.
The daily limit set in George does not apply when using George Business.
Step 10
If you want to pair the George app or the George Business app with additional devices, start the process again at Step 1.
If you no longer want to use one of the apps on a device, switch from the overview to the profile and go to “Device Management”, or in older app versions to “Login, Approval & Limit.”
There you can remove the pairing in the “Other Devices” section: simply click the trash bin icon and confirm that the device should be unlinked.
Step 1
Obtain an activation code for your user ID. You must not share this code with any third party under any circumstances, even if you are asked to do so.
You can obtain it, if available, with your debit card at the self-service foyer of a branch of Erste Bank or Sparkassen, directly from an advisor at your institution during opening hours, or by having it sent to you by the George Business Helpdesk at the s Servicecenter (+43 (0)50100 50320 / george-business@s-servicecenter.at). Further details can be found at Activation code, TAN card, or EB‑PIN – how to obtain them | Erste Bank.
Step 2
Öffnen Sie die George-App oder George Business-App, je nachdem welches der beiden Sie noch nicht mit George ID auf Ihrem Gerät gekoppelt haben.
Step 3
Now enter your 9‑digit user number.
Step 4
Now enter your George ID PIN, which you defined when switching to George ID.
Step 5
Now scan the activation code or enter it into the input field.
Step 6
You can now enable biometrics for login and approvals if you wish.
The George ID PIN will still be requested if biometric recognition fails.
Step 7
You will now be asked to set a daily limit in the George app; this step is omitted in George Business.
The daily limit set in George does not apply when using George Business.
Step 8
If you want to pair the George app or the George Business app with additional devices, you can now easily do so using your primary device. You can find the instructions for this here
If you no longer want to use one of the apps on a device, switch from the overview to the profile and go to “Device Management”, or in older app versions to “Login & Approval.”
There you can remove the pairing in the “Other Devices” section: simply click the trash bin icon and confirm that the device should be unlinked.
Step 1
Obtain an activation code for your user ID. You must not share this code with any third party under any circumstances, even if you are asked to do so.
You can obtain it, if available, with your debit card at the self‑service foyer of a branch of Erste Bank or Sparkassen, directly from an advisor at your institution during opening hours, or by having it sent to you by the George Business Helpdesk at the s Servicecenter (+43 (0)50100 50320 / george-business@s-servicecenter.at). Further details can be found at Activation code, TAN card, or EB‑PIN – how to obtain them | Erste Bank.
Step 2
Download George ID for the appropriate operating system onto your computer: George ID on the computer & cardTAN
- On macOS, this is done by moving the downloaded file with the “.app” extension into the Applications folder using Finder (file management). From your list of applications, you can then launch George ID.
The first time you open it, you will need to confirm the following prompt by clicking “Open”:
“George ID is an app downloaded from the internet. Are you sure you want to open it?” - On Windows, the setup automatically completes all steps and places a George ID icon on the desktop and in the Start menu.
Please note the information below the download button if you are using your computer within a corporate network on domain or terminal servers. Involve your IT expert.
After the installation, open the app. You will be greeted with “Your new George ID is here.” Click on “Yes, activate George ID.”
Step 3
Now enter your 9‑digit user number.
Step 4
Now enter your George ID PIN, which you defined when switching to George ID.
Step 5
Now enter the activation code into the input field.
Step 6
You have successfully activated George ID on your computer.
If you also want to pair George ID for your user ID on additional computers, start again from Step 1.
If you want to pair additional user IDs on this computer, you can do so in George ID on the computer under Settings (bottom left) → Add new user, again starting with Step 1. Step 2 (downloading to your computer) is then omitted.
If you no longer want to use one of the user IDs on this computer, you can also remove the pairing under Settings (bottom left) by pressing and confirming the delete button.
FAQ
After switching to George ID, you can generate an activation code yourself in the George Business app for an additional device. As was already the case with s Identity, you can obtain activation codes from the George Business Helpdesk, from your advisor, or—if you are an authorized user with a debit card—also from self‑service terminals of Erste Bank and Sparkassen that are marked as “George-enabled”.
If you are a George Business user, you can request a George ID activation code from your company’s administrators.
All information about this can be found here.
No, this distinction no longer exists. Activation codes obtained from customer support, the service center, or from a self-service terminal no longer differ in terms of pairing. Likewise, George ID activation codes issued internally by George Business administrators do not distinguish between pairing the George Business app and George ID on a computer.
However, activation codes that users generate themselves from an already paired mobile device (under Profile – silhouette icon in the top right corner / Login & Approval / Add new device) are only suitable for pairing an additional mobile device (smartphone or tablet) with a camera function. Read all details about this here.
We will prompt you to switch exclusively within George Business. We will never ask you for your authorized user number/user number, telephone number, passwords, or a “verification of your identity” in connection with the migration.
Important: Never disclose personal data if you are asked to do so by email, letter, or phone. Do not confirm personal data or authorize test transfers. End suspicious calls immediately and contact us right away—e.g. via the George Business Helpdesk at
+43 (0) 50100 – 50320 (Monday–Friday: 7:00–19:00).
Tip: In our Security Center, we warn you about all currently known fraud methods.
It works very similarly to what you are already used to, except that no additional app is required if you already use the George Business app. Approval takes place directly within the George Business app.
If you use George Business on a computer, start the login as usual by entering your authorized user number/user number, then open the George Business app, compare the verification number, and approve the login.
If you use George ID on a computer for approvals, first start the login in George Business on the computer by entering your authorized user number/user number. Then open George ID on your computer (Windows or macOS), select “Load transactions” in the bottom right corner, compare the verification number, and approve the login.
cardTAN will remain unchanged for you. If you use George Business exclusively on a computer, there will be no changes to the usual process for logging in or approving orders.
A small change applies if you reinstall the George Business app in the future: instead of a PIN, pattern, or biometrics for Easy Access, you will only have the options George ID PIN and optionally biometrics available.
You define the George ID PIN yourself during the initial login. It cannot be changed to match the EB PIN for your card reader. The PIN can consist of 4 to 8 digits.
From then on, every time you open the George Business app, you must either enter your chosen George ID PIN or confirm via biometrics. However, for approving orders, a valid cardTAN code—generated from the combination of your debit card/TAN card, EB PIN, and order data—is still required.
If you already set up the George Business app in the past using a pattern, PIN, or biometrics, nothing will change for you. These older Easy Access methods remain active until you reinstall the George Business app.
We are sorry that you have concerns. From a technical perspective, this would not be necessary. George ID and our technical systems are state of the art and fully comply with all legal requirements.
With George ID, approvals must still be confirmed using an additional security feature—your personal PIN or Face ID / fingerprint (biometrics).
If you have concerns, you can continue to use cardTAN. With this approval method, the approval code is generated using your debit card (or TAN card) and a small device called a TAN generator, ensuring a physical separation between George Business and approval.
Tip: In our Security Center, we warn you about all currently known fraud methods.
The s Identity desktop app for computers is being replaced by George ID on the computer. This solution is also available for Windows and macOS devices.
If you currently use the s Identity desktop app, we will inform you directly in George Business how to switch to George ID on your computer. The download for George ID on the computer is provided via this link.
Without the s Identity app or the s Identity desktop app, you cannot independently approve the migration to George ID within the processes shown in George Business. If you uninstalled the s Identity app before switching to George ID, you need an s Identity activation code to reinstall and set it up again. All information about this can be found here.
Alternatively, you can switch directly to George ID:
Users can do this directly via their George Business administrator, who can provide them with a George ID activation code.
Authorized signers are best switched via customer support:
- Visit us at a branch during opening hours.
- Our advisors will switch your authorized signer to George ID and provide you with a George ID initial activation code.
- Delete the George Business app and reinstall it.
- Set up the George Business app from scratch.
- Due to the branch-based switch, the setup will be completed directly with George ID. You will no longer need the s Identity initial activation code or the s Identity app.
Note: For the migration to George ID, our advisors 반드시 require a valid photo ID for identity verification.
Important: Migration to George ID by advisors is only possible at branches of your own institution. For example, as a customer of Steiermärkische Sparkasse, only at Steiermärkische Sparkasse branches—not at Erste Bank or Sparkasse Oberösterreich branches.
Both the mobile George Business app and George ID for computer support multiple accounts, allowing you to switch quickly and easily between authorized signers without having to enter an activation code each time (this is only required during initial setup).
On mobile devices, however, this works only if the first authorized signer/user set up in the app has already been migrated to George ID. If you first pair an s Identity account in the mobile George Business app and do not migrate it to George ID, the “Additional authorized signer number” button will not appear in your profile, and you will not be able to pair another account in the app.
George ID on the computer does not work for s Identity accounts and requires immediate migration to George ID when you log in, as described in the migration guide. If you have authorized signers who must temporarily remain on s Identity (e.g. for George Business), you must keep the s Identity desktop app installed in parallel and use either George ID on the computer or the s Identity desktop app, depending on the signer.
Yes, this is possible. Open the app and select the silhouette icon in the top right corner to access your profile. Then go to “Login & Approval” and, in the “Biometrics” section, select either “Log in with biometrics” or “Approve with biometrics” (on iOS, this section is called “Face ID”).
If you deactivate biometrics, the George ID PIN will be requested instead. To reactivate biometrics, you must re-enter your George ID PIN. Please note that the PIN always remains active as a fallback method and will be requested if biometric recognition fails.
To switch to full mode in the George Business app, open the app and select the silhouette icon in the top right corner to access your profile. Go to “Login & Approval” and select “App mode”. Choose “Use all George functions” to switch to full mode.
Please note that this requires restarting the app. You can also switch back to “Approval Only” mode at any time if you wish.