About the PINsentry card reader
The PINsentry card reader is a small hand-held device you insert your Barclays Bank debit or Authentication card into. It works with your card and PIN to generate unique, one-time eight-digit codes for use in Online Banking.
You'll need to use your card reader every time you log in to Online Banking to set up a payment to someone new for the first time or to make a payment to someone new for the first time. At each stage, our Online Banking pages will give you screen-by-screen instructions.
We'll send you a card reader when you choose to upgrade to PINsentry in Online Banking.
What you need to know:
- To get familiar with how it works, look at our specially designed tour. Tour PINsentry
- If you enter your card PIN incorrectly three times into the card reader, your PIN will lock and you won't be able to use your card. Find out how to unlock your PIN
- Your card reader is battery powered and does not need to be plugged in. The batteries should last between five and seven years. Audio card reader batteries will last two to three years.
- Your card reader will time out and turn off after 90 seconds of inactivity. To reactivate the card reader, simply remove and reinsert your bank card
- The card reader does not need to be connected to your computer at any time. It works completely independently, based on your card and the information you enter into it
If you only need balance or transactional information, you can log in using Instant Access without using the PINsentry device by following the link - Forgotten your log-in details?
Download the PINsentry user guide for more information 420 KB 1
Roll over the blue circle in the graphic to learn more
1. To view Adobe® Acrobat® (PDF) files you will need Adobe® Acrobat®, available from Adobe Systems Incorporated. Adobe® and Acrobat® are the registered trade marks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. For more information on accessibility please see Adobe Accessibility