DB Secure Authenticator

Deutsche Bank AG

About this app

The DB Secure Authenticator app adds an additional layer of security to online banking services provided by Deutsche Bank (DB). Following the latest update, the app now supports biometric authentication.

DB Secure Authenticator provides customers with a two-factor authentication solution for logging into accounts and for authorising transactions. For signing transactions on Deutsche Bank’s Online and Mobile banking platforms, customers from Germany can use the photoTAN app, which can be downloaded from the app store.

There is a choice of 4 functions within the app:

1. Scan QR Code: Using your phone’s camera, a QR-code is scanned on-screen and a numeric response code is provided. The code may be used for logging into a DB banking application or for authorising transactions.

2. Generate a One-Time Password (OTP): On request, the app generates a numeric code which may be used for logging into a DB banking application.

3. Challenge / Response: When speaking with a DB customer service agent, an 8-digit number provided by the agent is entered into the app and a response code is provided. This function is used for customer identification via the telephone.

4. Authorising transactions: If enabled, Push Notifications can be received to inform the user of outstanding transactions. When the app is next opened the transaction details are displayed, and can be authorized without the need to scan a QR-code or type a code into the online banking application.

App setup:

Access to DB Secure Authenticator is controlled either via a 6 digit PIN, which you choose on first launch of the app or by using the device's biometric functionalities, such as fingerprint or facial recognition.

Following the PIN setup, you are required to activate the device. This is done by either entering a provided Registration ID or by scanning two QR-codes through the online activation portal.

Ratings and reviews

The app works well for its intended use case, but it is completely unacceptable that it refuses to work if the current keyboard is not GBoard (I use Flickboard). It doesn't even launch the keyboard for anything!, as the usual case is just to authenticate with fingerprint and then pressing ok to approve the intended action. It also doesn't support migrating phones, you need to call the bank support.

The app stopped working on my phone. I performed all troubleshooting steps. Reinstalled the app, cleared the cache for the app, cleared the app data and did a hard reset of the phone. I called the DB support and was promised that the technical support would contact me. A week has passed and I have not received any call. I am currently not able to do any online shopping. Seeing that several people are facing the issue and the lack of response strenghthens my consideration to close my account.

Absolutely ridiculous. Never ever worked properly since first installed. I have never had such a bad experience with home banking from any other bank in Europe. App doesn't function properly, the activation of a token is bugged and requires multiple calls to the customer service, which is completely unhelpful. Everything relies on the reception of SMS messages that never arrive, absolutely irritating. As always Deutsche Bank offers a terrible customer service.

What's new

This release contains bug fixes and various optimizations.