Citi Mobile App Review: Capable Card Management on the Go

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The Citi Mobile app, from our partner, helps you manage your Citibank credit cards and all your Citibank accounts from your smartphone or Apple Watch. Check your account balance, make a payment, lock or unlock your card, and perform a variety of card services whether you're on the go or sitting at home.

Key Features of the Citi Mobile App

The Citi Mobile app is a capable on-the-go companion to Citi's online banking site. Activating Citi Mobile Snapshot (click "Profile" then "App and Security") gives you a home screen with a quick view of account balances, recent transactions and current offers that appear before you sign in. Need to take action? You can use the app to update or manage your account.

Login and Security

You use your online banking user ID and password to log in, but can also activate facial or fingerprint recognition (Face ID or Touch ID on the iPhone) for faster logins. Set up two-factor authentication as an option in the "Profile" tab as an added security measure. This feature requires you to enter a one-time passcode when you log in.

You can also activate a number of security and fraud protection features through the app. Citi Quick Lock locks and unlocks your card if you've temporarily misplaced it. You can also reset your user ID and password if you suspect your account has been hacked. Under "Services," you can notify Citibank that you're planning to travel or make a large purchase so you don't trigger their fraud detection.

Account Alerts

The Citi Mobile app lets you set up account alerts by text or email to receive notifications about payments due or posted, or to monitor your account for signs of potential fraud. Set up alerts to notify you whenever a transaction occurs (by selecting "Transaction amount exceeds" and specifying $1) or when an international or card-not-present transaction is made, so you'll see instantly when an unfamiliar transaction occurs. Also receive alerts when your password and user ID are updated, in case your account falls victim to account takeover fraud.

Payment Options

You can make payments, view scheduled transactions and explore balance transfer offers using the Citi Mobile app. You can also set up, track and manage automatic payments.

In addition to helping you make payments on your account, the Citi Mobile app connects you with Citi Flex Pay, a feature on some cards that allows you to select eligible purchases and pay them off in regular installments at a fixed, favorable interest rate. You can also add your Citi card to Apple Pay, PayPal, Click to Pay or your Amazon account, using the card control hub under "Services."

Reward Redemptions

If your Citi card has cash back rewards, you can view and redeem them in the Citi Mobile app.

If your Citi card offers ThankYou® rewards points, you can check your points balance on the Citi Mobile app, but may need to visit the Citi ThankYou® website to redeem your points or fully explore program benefits.

Card Services

Some of the most helpful features of the Citi Mobile app are its card services. These are the kinds of issues you might otherwise have to contact a customer service representative to resolve:

  • Replacing a card
  • Disputing a payment
  • Changing your payment due date
  • Activating a new card
  • Adding an authorized user
  • Requesting a credit line increase

Being able to handle these issues through the app, instead of navigating an automated phone line or speaking with a representative at length, is a great time-saving benefit.

Credit Score Access

The Citi Mobile app provides free access to your FICO® Score based on Equifax data, updated monthly. Look for a shortcut button on the Mobile Snapshot page or look for the "Credit Management" tab under "Services."

Spend Tracking

In addition to its account management features, the Citi Mobile app can help you track your credit card spending habits. If you have a checking account with Citibank, you can also track spending trends across your accounts. Just how helpful this is may depend on how happy you are with the categories that are automatically applied to your transactions. For instance, veterinary care appeared as "Merchandise" on this reviewer's spend summary, so the information isn't incontrovertible. Still, tracking your spending provides detail on your transactions in each category and helps you set and maintain a budget.

Ratings

The Citi Mobile app has good ratings among both Apple and Android users:

  • Apple App Store: 4.9 out of 5 stars (September 2021)
  • Google Play: 4.7 out of 5 stars (September 2021)

Manage Your Card on the Go

The Citi Mobile app makes managing your card account on the go easier and more convenient. You can get quick access to your account balance, track payments, view transactions, set up alerts and handle a laundry list of card services with just a few clicks. Citi offers a range of credit cards, including cards geared toward building credit, earning cash back or travel/merchandise rewards and even maximizing your Costco membership. Check your credit report and credit score from Experian for free to help figure out which card is the best fit for you.

Note: The iOS version of the Citi Mobile app was used for this review. Features and capabilities of the app's Android version may differ slightly from what is described here.