UK ETA App: Phone Requirements & US Passport Tips
Short answer: US travelers can apply in the official UK ETA app when the phone meets the floors below; if the app will not install, use the official website instead. The app shows the price at checkout, and there is no refund after you apply. Stand: 25 September 2026.
Navigation: ← United Kingdom · UK ETA · ETA refused · Start UK ETA help
The official UK ETA app
Download the UK ETA app from Google Play or the App Store. Those are the official store listings linked from the UK’s apply page.
You need an iPhone 7 or newer with iOS 16 or later and at least 179MB free, or Android 12 or later with at least 165MB free. Android also needs NFC so the phone can read the passport chip. The app uses the camera, and it is only available in English.
If your phone is older than that floor—for example an iPhone 6 still in daily use—install will fail. Use the website path in the next section, then wait for the confirmation email before you travel.
Applying for someone else
If the person is with you, you can use the app: take their photo and, when required, scan their face. If they are elsewhere, apply on the official website instead.
Age 10 and older need a face scan. Age 9 and younger are not asked for a face scan, but you still take a face photo. For anyone under 18, give contact details for someone with parental responsibility.
A common case is a parent applying for a child who is in the room: stay in the app, photograph the child, and skip the face scan only when the child is 9 or younger. If the child is at home while you are traveling, use the website.
If the app will not install
When the download fails or the phone cannot meet the floors above, apply online at https://www.gov.uk/eta/apply. It is the same ETA request on a different channel.
Have the original passport ready, a working email address, and a payment method the site accepts. The website path is the fallback when the app will not install on that device.
After you submit
You usually get a decision by email within a day; it can take up to 3 working days. The email includes a 16-digit ETA reference number.
Do not travel until you receive the confirmation email that you have an ETA. There is no refund after you apply. If the application is rejected, or you need to change details, you apply again.
You can delete the app after you finish. The ETA stays linked to the passport you used, not to the app remaining on the phone.
FAQ
Which phones can use the UK ETA app?
iPhone 7 or newer with iOS 16 or later and at least 179MB free storage, or Android 12 or later with at least 165MB free storage and NFC. The phone also needs a camera, and the app is English only.
How do I scan a US passport?
Use the original passport you will travel with, not a photocopy or a digital image. If scanning the front does not work, place the phone on the inside of the back cover. Details taken from the passport must match the passport, or the application can be delayed or rejected.
Can I apply for a child in the app?
Yes, when the child is with you. Age 10 and older need a face scan; age 9 and younger need a face photo but not a face scan. Under 18, add parental-contact details. If the child is not with you, apply online.
How my-evisas.com can help
You can complete an eligible UK ETA yourself in the UK ETA app or on the official website. my-evisas.com can also help with an eligible UK ETA request. UK Visas and Immigration decides the ETA; the app is the channel you use to apply, not the decision.
Sources
- Using the UK ETA app (accessed 25 September 2026)
- Apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) (accessed 25 September 2026)
Important Notice
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. my-evisas.com is a private service provider and not a government authority, embassy, or consulate.
Visa requirements and entry regulations can change at short notice. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information provided. Only the official regulations in force at the time of your application are authoritative.
As of: 25 September 2026
Binding and up-to-date information is provided exclusively by the relevant official authorities. Please verify the currently applicable requirements before your application or travel: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-the-uk-eta-app