Qrates

Is YONO SBI safe and registered in India? Permissions and 2026 complaints

YONO SBI is the official mobile banking app from the State Bank of India. While it is fully regulated by the RBI and uses device binding for security, recent user ratings have dropped due to frequent app crashes. Learn what permissions it requires and how to verify you have the genuine app.

By Qrates research desk · 2026-10-27

YONO SBI is the genuine, official mobile banking app published by the State Bank of India. It operates under Reserve Bank of India rules as a regulated banking entity. The app is legitimate, but recent user ratings have dropped to 2.70 due to frequent app breaks and outages. The bank recently introduced a new e-Secure Lock feature to protect users following an October 2026 data leak. You can check the latest figures on the YONO SBI Qrates page.

Licence and registration

State Bank of India publishes the YONO SBI app directly. It is not a third-party loan app. It serves as the digital storefront for India's largest public sector bank. If you are interested in how it stacks up against other platforms, you can see a YONO SBI vs Axis Mobile comparison.

The bank holds an active ATM network operator licence (Qrates directory). It also holds an IRDAI corporate agent licence numbered CA0003, though its current status is unverified. This means the app operates legally within the Indian banking system.

Regulator warnings and recent security updates

An October 2026 data leak exposed some user details, prompting concerns about data privacy and app safety. The bank clarified that core financial data and login credentials were not compromised during this event. The State Bank of India responded by launching new security controls for the app.

The bank introduced the e-Secure Lock feature to help users lock their digital profiles instantly (State Bank of India Official Website). This prevents unauthorised access if a user suspects their account details are exposed. If you encounter issues with the bank's services, you can learn how to file a complaint with the RBI Ombudsman to seek resolution.

The app also uses biometric login and a mobile personal identification number to secure accounts. These features work together to protect users from phishing scams and unauthorised device access.

What YONO SBI can read on your phone

The app requires specific app permissions to function correctly. A banking app uses these to verify your device and prevent fraud. You can also explore other banking apps and neobanks to see how they handle similar permission requirements.

According to the Google Play Store, YONO SBI asks for the following permissions (Qrates directory):

  • Read your contacts
  • Read your text messages
  • Record audio
  • See your location
  • Read phone identity

The app reads your text messages and phone identity for device binding and SIM verification. You must grant these core permissions for the app to let you log in.

What users complain about

YONO SBI holds a Google Play rating of 4.20 from over 30,67,192 ratings, with over 10 crore installs (Qrates directory). However, the average of recent reviews in the last 90 days has fallen to 2.70. For a broader perspective, you might want to read a YONO SBI vs bob World app comparison to see how other major banking apps manage user feedback and stability.

The most raised problem in store reviews is that the app breaks, noted in 23 of 400 Google Play reviews read. Users also complain that nobody answers their support requests (8 of 400 reviews) and that they are pushed into things (4 of 400 reviews).

State Bank of India customer care replies to 100% of one and two star reviews. Despite the recent crashes, users most frequently praise the app as easy to use, found in 11 of 400 Google Play reviews and 13 of 300 App Store reviews. There have been 0 days since the last app update.

How to check this yourself

You can verify you have the official banking app by following these steps.

  1. Verify the publisher name: Open the app store and check that the developer is listed exactly as "State Bank of India".
  2. Check the download source: Only install the app from the official Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Never download APK files from third-party websites or click on installation links sent via WhatsApp.
  3. Review the permissions: Check the app information section in your phone settings to see exactly what data the app can access.

FAQs

Is YONO SBI app safe to use?

Yes, it is the official banking app from the State Bank of India. It uses device binding and MPIN security, though users currently report frequent app breaks.

Is Yono SBI real or fake?

The app published by State Bank of India on the official app stores is real. You should avoid third-party links or files to ensure you do not download a fake version.

Is YONO SBI approved by RBI?

Yes, it is the digital platform of the State Bank of India. The bank is fully regulated by the Reserve Bank of India.

What permissions does YONO SBI ask for?

The app asks to read your contacts, read your text messages, record audio, see your location, and read phone identity. It needs these to verify your SIM card and secure your account.

The short version

  • YONO SBI is the official app published by the State Bank of India.
  • The bank holds an active ATM network operator licence.
  • The app reads your text messages and phone identity to verify your device.
  • Recent user ratings average 2.70 due to frequent app crashes.
  • The bank introduced an e-Secure Lock feature following an October 2026 data leak.

Sources

Disclaimer

Qrates is an information directory. It takes no commission from any company listed and does not recommend products. Figures are taken from the sources named and dated, and they change; check the company's own page before you decide. This is not investment, credit, insurance or tax advice for your situation. A licence or a clean record today does not guarantee how a company behaves later. To complain, use the regulator's own portal (RBI CMS, SEBI SCORES or IRDAI Bima Bharosa).

Related articles