I tried to do the UK ETA app and after a couple of partial repeats everything seemed to go well until the very end. The last piece of data was taking the facial picture which it seemed to accept, but the closeout process went bonkers. It went to a blank screen with that never ending rotating circular line with no escape. It did warn me intermittently that it needed access to my WiFi network which I checked was active and my gmail account was open. Before wasting time on repeated try’s, has anyone encountered this problem and if so how did you resolve it? I was doing this transaction on a Samsung S23 Ultra phone.
Posted by
Penzance
75 posts
Try it on the website.
Posted by
Singapore
1131 posts
Have you tried applying by the web site instead?
Posted by
West Michigan
592 posts
It sounds like your internet connection is intermittant. Not the connection to your wifi router, but the actual path to the nearest internet node is flakey. Maybe try it again in early morning? Can you measure your download/upload speed with an app like "Speedtest"? The Gmail account is not involved in this.
When I did this with a Samsung S24, I had a hard time getting the photos to be accepted, they had to be just so. I even had to open my eyes wider. It took me 10 tries, and 2 for my wife.
Posted by
Duluth, MN🌲
11376 posts
I agree with Traveler Guy. I would try a different time of day, and morning is usually better than evening. I live in a rural area and constantly have problems with internet in the evening.
Sometimes it will help just to do a reboot on your phone. At least that's worked for me from time to time. Worst case, I would try deleting the app and then reinstalling it again and starting from the beginning. It could be a glitch that would be resolved by the new installation.
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
3742 posts
If you are going to apply on the website, there is the link to start https://apply-for-an-eta.homeoffice.gov.uk/apply/electronic-travel-authorisation/how-to-apply
As noted on the instructions, scan your passport and take your photo before you start the application. Note the photo requirements are good lighting, neutral background, from the shoulders up (farther back than a passport photo). Also you get 20 minutes to complete the application before it times out.
Posted by
Chicagoland
1935 posts
Charlie and anyone else applying for an ETA.
When you receive the confirmation email from the UK government, save your email or make a screenshot. Although you do not need to present anything upon arrival in the UK, some airlines are asking customers to show proof of an ETA. Most recently American Airlines in Philadelphia this week was asking for proof at check-in for flights to the UK.