How to get started with banking on your smartphone
This is our step-by-step guide to setting up your accounts on smartphone or iPad.
Congratulations
Just follow the steps below, and soon you will be able to do most of your banking tasks from your smartphone, iPad, or Android tablet.
If you would like to print this mobile set-up guide, download this PDF and print it to reference while you go through the steps.
If you prefer, check out our interactive demo. You can sign up with a ScotiaCard, or without a ScotiaCard.
Is my money protected?
Online banking through our mobile app or website is safe and secure. And it’s protected by our Digital Banking Security Guarantee
Have you previously registered for online banking with Scotiabank?
If yes, and you know your username and password, you can move to Step 5
If you have registered, but forget your username and/or password, you need to reset them by following these instructions.
Let’s get started!
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Step 1
Gather some basic information
This is all of the information you need to set up mobile banking. Please gather this information, and we can begin when you’re ready.
- Your Scotiabank debit card number: If you don’t have a Scotiabank debit card, you can use a Scotiabank Credit Card number, or your account number for your line of credit, investment, loan, or mortgage. For Small Business customers, a Scotiabank debit card number is required.
- Your postal code: If you have multiple addresses, use the address we send your statements to.
- Your home phone number, or your mobile phone number
- Your email address
- Your date of birth
- Your mother’s maiden name
- Your Scotiabank debit card number: If you don’t have a Scotiabank debit card, you can use a Scotiabank Credit Card number, or your account number for your line of credit, investment, loan, or mortgage. For Small Business customers, a Scotiabank debit card number is required.
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Step 2
Add mobile banking access to your account
Click the link that follows, and it will open a new window on a page that looks like this.
If you have a Scotiabank debit card, please type in the number on the front of your card and press Continue. Then you can move to step 4 of this guide.
If you don’t have a Scotiabank debit card, press the link "I don’t have a ScotiaCard", select the product type and product/account number from your card, line of credit, loan, investment or mortgage. Then hit Continue. For Small Business customers, a Scotiabank debit card number is required.
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Step 3
Enter your details
Select the account type you have, followed by the account or card number. Once completed, fill in your first name, last name, date of birth, and then click Continue.
Note: You may be asked for additional information to verify your identity on the following screens. Please enter the information, and click Continue, when prompted.
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Step 4
Create a username and password
Create a username that’s easy to remember. For credit card customers, once this username is created you will no longer be able to sign in using your card number. Click Continue.
Create a strong password by using a unique word or phrase that you will easily remember.
Your password should be a combination of numbers and both uppercase and lowercase letters, as well as symbols- like an exclamation point or a question mark.
The more complex your password is - the stronger it will be.
Important note: For your privacy, don’t write down your password or share it with anyone. Click this link to learn about security when using mobile banking.
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Step 5
Download the mobile app
All mobile apps must be downloaded from the Google or Apple app stores. We’ll walk through how to download it from the store to your phone now.
If you have an Apple iPhone or iPad, open your iPhone or iPad screen and click the App Store icon that looks like the Apple one below. To download the Scotiabank mobile banking app to your iPhone or iPad, see this animated iOS guide. You can take these steps on your iPhone or iPad as you follow along with the guide.
If you have an Android phone or tablet (made by Samsung, Google, LG, Sony, or others) open your phone or tablet screen, and click the icon called Play Store. To download the Scotiabank mobile banking app to your Android phone or tablet, see this animated Android guide. You can take these steps on your Android phone or tablet as you follow along with the guide.
Click this icon on Apple iPhones or iPads for the App Store
Click this icon on Android phones or tablets for the Google Play Store
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Step 6
Sign in to the app
You can now sign in to the app with the username and password you created a few steps ago.
Check out what the sign in screen will look like on your phone or tablet.
Please check the box to agree to our Digital Access Agreement, which sets out your rights and obligations as well as Scotiabank’s. You can read the entire Digital Access Agreement anytime.
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Step 7
Activate 2-step verification (2SV)
To complete mobile app setup, you must also activate 2-step verification (2SV).
2SV provides a second layer of protection to your account in addition to your password. It helps to guard against fraud, so even if someone else gets a hold of your username and password, they can’t access your account.
Please note that you’ll be asked to activate 2SV using your current mobile phone or tablet. This will now be your primary trusted device.
This means that when there is an attempt to sign into your account from a different device, we’ll send a push notification to your primary trusted device.
Learn more about 2SV.
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Step 8
Start mobile banking!
When you first sign in, screens will pop up to show you important features in the mobile banking app.
The home screen shows you an overview of your accounts and balances. You can start to use the icons along the bottom of the app to choose a task.
All the basics
Learn more about mobile banking with Scotiabank
Here are some interactive demos of the most common features our customers use:
- Paying bills
- Sending money in Canada using Interac e-Transfer†
- Sending money abroad
- Depositing a cheque
- Reviewing transactions
There are many more demonstrations of other banking tasks you can do if you click here.
If you need help any time, just press the ? icon and type in your question.
That’s it!
We will continue to add more features in the mobile app over time.