July 24, 2025 | Dubai, UAE. The UAE banks are preparing for a major change on July 25, 2025. As announced by the UAE’s Central Bank, banks will no longer accept One-Time Passwords (OTPs) delivered via SMS or email as a method for completing digital transactions. According to Emarat Al Youm Customers will be required to use an alternative method of app verification for confirming transfers.The no longer acceptance of OTP by UAE banks certainly marked new era for all .

Secure Your Transactions

The intent behind this change by UAE banks is to enhance security and management of SMS or email OTPs while reducing the risks. With the ever-growing complaints about cyber threats and phishing scams, banks in the UAE are taking a proactive approach to protect customers. The app verification approach will allow for more security, ease of use, and a more efficient process.

As per Emarat Al Youm , Customers will be expected to toggle on the app verification feature of their mobile banking apps to approve future transactions. This will apply to any financial transfer, whether domestic or international, and any online transactions. As far as customer experience is concerned, a verification process using app verification was intended to be straightforward for customer login and transaction verification through the mobile banking apps.

The UAE’s central bank has advised UAE banks to implement this in phases and in a manner that would ensure a smooth transition for customers. The banks are expected to assist customers in activating app verification through instructions, notifications, etc., on their mobile banking apps. Customers should receive notification and instructions from their UAE banks for the new verification method to be activated.

Benefits of App Verification

The benefits of the app verification method include the following:

Furthermore, as per Emarat Al Youm using app verification allows customers to have a more secure verification method for authenticating their transactions, thus reducing the risk of fraud and potential cyberattacks.

Since app verification is utilized, there is no need to wait for an OTP via SMS or email, making the transactions much faster.
The app verification process is very user-friendly, and customers can easily process and verify transactions within their mobile banking apps.

Emarat Al Youm readers can prepare for the Updation of their mobile banking app to the most up-to-date version. Secondly, by activating the app verification feature in their mobile banking apps. Lastly, by Learning the new verification process to avoid any service disruptions

By doing these things, customers can easily transition to the new app verification experience

Banking Just Got Safer

The app verification method will allow UAE banks to improve the way they deal with their customer, as it provides the option to implement high security features and better payment services, ultimately improving their customers’ experience.

The UAE’s banking industry is taking a significant step forward in its ability to decrease the number of unjust digital transaction risks and improve safety. The move to app verification is a proactive way to protect its customers while providing an efficient way to manage their digital transactions with an even higher level of protection. According to Emarat Al Youm The app verification method provides convenience as digital banking becomes increasingly prevalent, takes mobile banking into the future, and gives consumers another incentive to use digital banking for its extras.

As the banking industry in the UAE transitions to app-based verification, customers will have a more secure and efficient way to manage their digital transactions. With the app verification method, the UAE is poised to create higher security and more efficient digital transactions for customer practice, improving the overall customer experience while enhancing the position of UAE banks as leaders in digital banking.