smile the internet bank User Reviews

What users say

Top reviews

Sorting Payees

We need to be able to find payees easier. Add a search function. This is basic. Also just because you changed the reference on a payment doesn’t mean it should stay in the payees details and mean that next time there’s an additional payee.

Also, you should be able to validate all of the pays in one go. Get them all validated.
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It’s Basic but needs more features

I have been with smile for years now and use the app that does the basics well, however it is missing plenty of features that other banks have ( message through app, scan cheques just to name a couple ) I have also looked back over old reviews and these 2 points keep coming up from years ago but still nothing done. I know this will get the standard response saying it will be passed to the developers, but will they actually be looked at???
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Rubbish App!

Update: 8.4.26: yet again the app is unavailable! Co-Op are clearly not investing any longer in Smile bank. Definitely time to leave - so frustrating.

Original review, March 2026: This app hasn’t been working for days now and won’t even launch, saying ‘Mobile App Unavailable’. I’ve even deleted and reinstalled it in case it was a glitch on my phone. Completely unacceptable for an online only bank - Smile has been in decline for years and this is one more nail in the coffin.
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SMILE 😊

I am so happy with the advancements made to the mobile app, it’s so easy to use and it has come along way over the years. Great bank!

Unable to read secure messages on mobile app

Have to use desktop app to send or read secure messages which is not good if you only have access to your mobile.

Reliable and easy to use

I was recently scammed by someone posing as the bank advisor to make payments to a new account on the basis of a fictitious withdrawal attempt. The scammer arranged to phone me the next day but by then I was suspicious and had phoned 159 who linked me up with the Co-operative bank fraud department. I was given advice to change all my passwords after having my i-phone professionally cleaned up. Meanwhile they froze my account and agreed to send a new debit card. When this action had been taken, they quickly restored my account and refunded the money I’d lost. I’m so grateful for the Co-op’s advice and support during this worrying time.
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Unable to freeze Card

Well……the ability to freeze a card directly thru the app is standard for modern mobile banking…..but not for the Smile. Hmmmm

User friendly

I’ve used this app for ages and found it simple to use, safe and effective.

Love it

I have loved Smile bank account for nearly 25 years now and still consider it to be the best online bank account

Failed to move with times

The “internet” bank has failed to keep up with other new internet banks with immediate alerts when used card locking pots to save money in to name a few

payees

I wish your payees section was easier to navigate - I would like to type in the name and have it go straight to the payee

An online bank with no customer service after 6pm

Impossible to contact them to do anything other than basic transactions after 6pm. There are so many better online banks out there.

Stuck in a previous decade

Coop/Smile are stuck in a bygone age and show lack of investment. Why can the app not handle secure messages? Why can’t you include a reference when sending payments to businesses that also bank with you? Why does it take several days for payments to coop visa to show up? Why did my login time out while I was actively typing this? Do any of you actually bank here?
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Outdated

The functionality of the account hasn’t changed in more than 10-15 years. Advertised as the internet bank but smile should really look at what some of its competitors offer. Starling app is far superior.

Transactions list out of date

Updated 15/9/25
Thanks Michelle for your reply. I was a little unclear on my original — in fact the list was there but was not being updated. I’ve just looked and the txn list refreshed on both devices and is now up to date.

Original review:
This continues to be a good app, BUT…
The phone and watch versions both no longer list transactions. This is unhelpful when I come to see what I’ve spent today. What happened to this feature?
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Transactions not listed

This continues to be a good app, BUT…
The phone and watch versions both no longer list transactions. This is unhelpful when I come to see what I’ve spent today. What happened to this feature?

Message

Please allow customer to send + review messages in app. Thanks

Good but…

I really like the app as it allows me to use my accounts easily and quickly. However, I find the list of payee annoying because if, like me, you pay someone fairly regularly, you find a long list of the same name and the scrolling goes on forever. Wouldn’t it be better to have the transactions of one person all in a specific folder for that person?
I feel that, at this rate, in 10 years finding someone with a name that starts with a letter at the end of the alphabet will take me forever.
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Useful but missing features

Very useful app but still lacks access to secure messaging which is very bizarre that after several years they still don’t have this key feature and forces you to use a PC.

Paying a saved payee

It would be better if I did not have to scroll through every single transaction to the same person when I am transferring money to a saved payee