UK ETA app not working, anyone else? Or tips to make it work?

My phone was incompatible so I use the online version on a laptop desktop it took two hours in the queue and then I filled it out within the 25 minutes alotted. I got the ETA approval about 6 hours later. Maybe you need to use a laptop and not your phone to use the online laptop desktop version.

Do switch to online site or borrow someone else's phone for the process.

This is a great example of why you want to do these things with plenty of lead time. You have time to come up with an alternative.

I recall a previous post on this forum by somebody who was trying to use the ETA app and it wasn’t functioning. The consensus of responses was to use the Website.

Earlier this month, both of us got our ETA’s thru the app, but its animated instructions weren’t always clear, and it took a while to get thru the process on the app.

Carol now retired from Lynnwood, Washington posted very detailed instructions in November. Made our application very easy and approved in minutes.

Thanks Carol!

Awesome tks folks. Honestly I thought it was cool when it actually read my passport...but then hung. I will try the website and ck for Carol's instructions also. Yep, got to get it done this weekend because I don't feel happy with it potentially taking 3 days to process. We did try last weekend, had the same result with the app and gave up.

You have to be persistent to reach the website application - they try to force you to use the app but there is always an "I can't use the app" choice on most of the pages (in very small type). Here is the direct link to the page you end up at to start the website process https://apply-for-an-eta.homeoffice.gov.uk/apply/electronic-travel-authorisation/how-to-apply

Definitely read the other threads in the forum about applying, most are under the England forum, but using the search bar will likely get you to them quicker.

"I don't feel happy with it potentially taking 3 days to process'

Its an automated process (and therefore very quick) unless there is ann anomaly in your application that is flagged for review. I've done two and both were approved withn five minutes.

And to be clear, the requirement is that you must have applied, not that it mist have been approved

"If you need to travel soon

You must apply for an ETA before you travel to the UK. You can travel to the UK while waiting for a decision."

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta

Thank you all! We are ETA-approved. :) It worked on my dh's phone this evening, when it didn't earlier today. Ours is not to reason why... I was simultaneously doing it via web-browser and you are right, they do NOT want you to use the website! Guess they'd better upgrade that app...reminds me of all the fuss we went through with the ArriveCan app during covid (Canadian border control, like the MPC app in the states, but I believe it was primarily tracking covid test compliance and vaccination status). The app works well now, 4 years or so later, but it was a nightmare during the strange and scary days of the pandemic.

Hi. I used the website last weekend, and I was approved before I completed the customer satisfaction survey after submitting. While there are about 3 pages of info asking you to use the app, persevere and keep going to the next page - say your phone is not compatible. Eventually, you will get to the actual online application on a page called How to Apply with 5 steps listed. From there, it is very simple.

I also paid to get a digital photo done at Staples. They give it to you on a usb. They will ask if this is for a US passport, but if you tell them for UK ETA, they can make sure they are following all the directions as that is in their system too. Originally, I tried to take a photo with my phone, but there were too many shadows, etc. The Staples digital jpeg worked great. I know Staples may not be everywhere, but maybe you have an equivalent service near you?

I also made sure the scanned version of my passport is a jpeg. Originally, I had it in a pdf, and it was denied the first time I tried to upload. I rescanned it as a jpeg, and it uploaded smoothly from there.

The approval is linked to the digital codes on your passport, however, following recommendations of other folks on this forum, I printed out a copy of the approval email to have a print copy with my passport - just covering all possibilities should someone want physical proof.

BTW, there are many websites that purport to do this process for you - the options can look very confusing. You want the Gov.uk website - which you may already know from trying to use the app - but just in case.

I hope it works for you. One last thing - the customer satisfaction survey asks why you used the online application. You get a chance to give feedback. I just found it easier. Best of luck, Debbie

Use your web browser over the app.

On my Android phone when I got to the "take my picture" step it was failing because the virtual camera shutter was overwritten on the HOME key. Usually an app is using the entire screen and not allowing any Android default screen icons through.

Try turning off the navigation bar to see if that helps.
It's in Settings-> Display->Navigation Bar

I ended up borrowing a friend's iPhone.

Today. Used website uk.gov/desktop. Worked easy with no problems. ETA came after few minutes.

I have a tablet and phone. Both are Androids. I can install the app on either of them. What is the URL for the website?

U`K ETA info

billiekasmark,
Go to above link, read and scroll down for Android information.

Hi, All,

I had to get an ETA for Mrs. A, and we were both apprehensive about the process, but we did the whole application on our PC, and it was acknowledged and approved in less than a minute.

I took digital photos of Mrs. A's passport and face/upper body as per the instructions, uploaded the photos, and submitted them with the application. The whole process, including taking and uploading the photos, took less than 15 minutes.

I miss the days when we didn't have to jump through hoops like we do today! :(

Mike (Auchterless)

Do this during UK business hours. You might be okay UK early morning and early evening but if it is any time from 12 am to 4 am UK time you are going to hit software and data update periods that can often make websites behave strangely. I don't think nightly backups will disturb major websites but it's possible. I live in Southern California and have learned that UK and European websites are sometimes glitchy when I try to use them during my normal daylight hours. If one doesn't work I just try again during their business hours. The advice you have received to try on a laptop using the website is good. The software that runs on a mobile device is not identical to the software that runs on a laptop. Different bugs on each, so switch platforms. If that doesn't work get a friend to help you on an iPhone.

I think kate89926 might be right about no camera button, I got to that point in the app and ... nothing. Just wouldn't take a picture.

So then I went online, went a little better until it said upload a photo. I tried several from my photo albums but it always found something wrong. Finally had someone take my photo on my phone and I emailed it to myself and then put it on my computer and ... phew, it seems to have worked.

I really shouldn't be this hard.

I had trouble with the app on my android phone. What worked for me was to take a photo of my passport page & have my son take a photo of me.
With those available on my phone, l accessed the site on my phone:
https://www.gov.uk/eta/apply
Worked well, took a few minutes, and received acknowledgement in 4 minutes.

The hardest part was getting a photo of myself against a white/light background with no shadows. Once I had that the rest was easy.

Just did an application.
App not taking my photo. Tried different rooms, angles, distances etc.
pixel 7a that has not had issues elsewhere.
So applied through website. Select the app not compatible option so you don't go round UK bureaucracy circles.
Uploaded a recent passport photo.
Didnt recognise . Uk requirements for photos different? Not spelled out clearly.
So I selected proceed anyway. Got approval email in an hour.
Go figure.
Still not happy that as an Australian(Commonwealth is worth what now?) with biometric recent passport I need to apply.
Now for the EU.
Last time was so quick to go through.
Lew

"Still not happy that as an Australian(Commonwealth is worth what now?) "

As an Australian, I should point out that UK citizens have to go through a very similar process to visit Australia, and have had to do so for many years, so it seems a bit rough criticising them for applying the same process to us.

For what it's worth, being a Commonweaorh citizen does buy you a few privileges in the UK. You're not required to provide your passport on checkin at a hotel (Commonwealth citizens are not considered 'aliens' under British law) and if you reside in the UK as a Commonwealth citizen you can vote and stand for parliament.

In terms of entry, it's worth pointing out that if you have British parents or grandparents and are a Commonwealth citizen, you have options other than an ETA. I have British parents and a sticker in my Australian passport giving me Right of Abode in the UK, so I don't need an ETA. My son has an Ancestry Visa, which likewise means he can live in the UK and doesn't need an ETA.

And ETIAS is not yet active...

Simon I did not know that about Commonwealth citizens in the UK! Not that I intend to stand for Parliament here (Canada) OR there, but good to know!

And interesting that Lew was also using a pixel phone, which is my device. It never did work on my phone, but my dh got it working on his android/samsung. A shame that here we are in August and it's still buggy for so many.