Has anyone had success side-loading a banking app, is it safe? would you recommend it? It’s the one thing I am missing on my Mudita Kompakt.
I currently have Waze for maps and Deezer for music and enjoying both.
Deezer works well with E-ink interface as far as readability compared to Spotify.
I haven’t sideloaded any banking apps, but Mudita explicitly says due to security concerns you should avoid on sideloading them onto your Kompakt. Therefore it is not recommended.
I’ve got a separate device (~30€) called a Smart TAN generator. You insert your banking card into it and then generate a TAN for transactions locally on this very device. While this takes out some convenience it is the safest method for doing banking transactions, because even with the official apps on a supported smartphone you’re not 100% safe against malicious attacks, malware etc.
Thanks for the info, can you explain a bit more about this TAN generator and the app you use etc???
Yes, of course. Those a separate devices like these from Reiner SCT:
As far as I know your bank must support the Smart TAN procedure. Just ask your bank about it.
I started thinking about having a workaround for my biggest need re banking without having to sideload .apk from more or less trusted places.
There must be some kind of “IFTTT” type of automation software for Android. Then, I could employ my car smartphone to send an SMS to me every time I get an incoming wire transfer notification from the banking app.
On the other hand, I kinda prefer it the way it is. I like not being wired to my bank, besides now I’m more anxious than I was after MK shipping has started, since because of our social insurance institution I’m waiting for my salary already for three weeks. 
I was going to ask why do you need bank notifications, but I guess this is one reason you are concerned.
Does your bank have an option for SMS messages for specific transactions?
Something to think about, people never had this instant access before. And we know that it’s often actually not very healthy for us. Most of us unless we’re away are able to login to our bank on the computer, you could do that once a day maybe. Or some banks have a sms service as well, for example my bank can send a sms on a defined low and high balance, so I’m able to get a sms when the balance rises from a large incoming transaction.
(A side note I actually opened an account wit this bank because of these features, they are not intrusive, and i dont get pinged with lots of notifications)
Moving to more minimal things does definitely need a shift in how we think and in how we operate. It can feel counter intuitive in a world that pushes this always connected mindset that isn’t very good for us.
Nope, long gone, everyone has a smartphone so being able to receive SMS notifications or send a “code” over SMS to get your balance are nonexistent, at least in my bank.
As you have guessed, I need it only right now because the situation is awful. I have even been told I’ll get the money by the end of last week or beginning of this week, and today morning I called them and it turned out they need some another bs affidavit from my accounting… Polish bureaucracy is a great example of power abuse.
I guess I’ll just keep calling the institution until they tell me they made the transfer. ;d And it’s a good idea for the bank, probably a smaller, more local bank will keep those SMS-based features.