'Santander Mobile Banking' (at least the UK version) wasn't opening and freezing straight away. I turned on exploit compatibility mode etc etc. No luck.

However after turning off Secure app spawning and restarting, the app worked again.

Obviously I don't want to turn it off permanently so I have temporarily moved all my money out.

These are the developer's details according to the Google Play Store:

SANTANDER UK PLC
oneappengineering@santander.co.uk
2-3 Regent's Place
Triton Square
LONDON
NW1 3AN
United Kingdom
+447860 817973

I hope it's completely clear and obvious to everyone that I'm not putting the details there so people will harass the developers or anything, I just thought there may be some other people here who can explain to them the benefits of the secure app spawning used by GrapheneOS because as much as I love tinkering with a bit of code here and there, most of the stuff regarding exec-based spawning vs zygote etc etc - well basically I do not feel anywhere near up to the task of explaining these things to a developer.

I can get logs if they are useful to anyone. Both with and without Secure app spawning.

So yea, I was thinking of emailing the developers. Is there anyone who could help me with what is best to say?

  • de0u replied to this.

    roamer4223 The forum has a lot of posts about Starling bank and their conscious support for GrapheneOS. One approach might be to politely explain that you use GrapheneOS for increased security, so this situation concerns you, point out that Starling supports GrapheneOS, and ask whether Santander is in a position to do the same.

        de0u Thank you. This was the part of the plan I reckon I could do reasonably ok. I believe another UK bank/building society has explicitly stated in replies to customers that they support GOS

          Same here, Santander app not working without Secure app spawning turned off, and not prepared to do this.
          Moving forward is there any recommended UK banks that support Grapheneos? Maybe Starling bank UK?

            geni101 Starling is well documented on this forum as being GOS friendly. I use them, as well as NatWest which also works fine on my P9 running GOS

              Lilac6044 Thanks, my worry with this list is banks slowly dropping out in the future, if I go ahead and change my bank I would like a bank that has history of personally supporting GOS hence why I mentioned Starling and as you say its well documented on here.

                I have just written a rather long email to Santander's developers. I poured my heart out in the most professional way. Gave as many facts as I could. Quoted things from the GOS website explaining the benefits of Secure app spawning and other things. I mentioned the other banks that explicitly support GOS. I explained that I wasn't talking on behalf of GrapheneOS devs but rather the community. It took me hours and I believe it's as good as I could I could have done. (I'm sure others could have do a better but, my best anyway...)

                If they reply I will give details here. If they don't within a couple of weeks, I send it one more time.

                Not having high hopes but I put my heart and soul into the email so finger's crossed I guess...

                I have Secure App Spawning enabled (which is the default) and I don't have any problem with the Santander app version 5.16.1. I see in Aurora Store that an update to version 5.17 is available. Maybe this is where the problem got introduced? The changelog just says "you can now search your transactions and view your personalised product offers".

                For now, I have to wonder what's less insecure - not updating the Santander app or disabling Secure App Spawning.

                  Viewpoint0232 My problem came on version 5.17 using playstore and play services in Private spaces using p7a

                    Viewpoint0232

                    Viewpoint0232 For now, I have to wonder what's less insecure - not updating the Santander app or disabling Secure App Spawning.

                    Also IMO lowering your security to make a bank app work is a red flag for me, think it should be the other way round.

                        Try this..
                        Force stop the Santander app and it should then work.
                        Working for me randomly

                        Apologise, work once but now its not working again. Shame

                        Personally, I just moved all my money to my Starling account, then I turned Secure app spawning back on and restarted. It's an amazing security feature and there is no reason to disable it for one app.

                        I doubt they'll reply to my email but I would love to hear their reasoning...

                        And yes it's version 5.17.0 that's not working

                          roamer4223 Just opened a Starling account tonight.
                          Randomly my Santander app though is now working now and again.. Its in a second profile now and if I end the session or force quit (not found the exact cheat code yet) it sometimes works.

                              geni101 By the way, I am not sure if they are actually actively trying to block GrapheneOS with the changes they made in version 5.17.0. It may be unintentional. That's one of the questions I asked in my email. That's why it might occasionally work as the change might not be directed at GOS users.

                              And I have found Starling to be a much better bank app personally

                                  roamer4223 Was kinda thinking the same. I'm interested to see if they will reply you, hope so and thanks for taking your time in writing to them.
                                  Also cheers for the heads up on Starling.

                                    Is there any way in GOS to just disable secure app spawning for one app?