Many owners of Sberbank bank cards are wondering how to stop paying for monthly maintenance of the Mobile Bank service or simply turn off annoying text messages about transactions. In the conditions of modern digital banking, obtaining information about the movement of funds through classic SMS messages often becomes impractical, especially when there are free alternatives. For users of smartphones based on the operating system Android this process is maximally simplified thanks to the functionality of the official application SberBank Online.
Previously, changing notification settings required visiting a bank branch or calling an operator, which took considerable time. Today, managing subscriptions and tariffs is available in a few clicks directly from the screen of your smartphone. However, it is important to understand the difference between completely disabling the Mobile Banking service, which is necessary to confirm payments with codes, and simply refusing paid text alerts about purchases. Incorrect settings may result in you no longer receiving important authorization codes.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions that will allow you to maintain the security of your accounts, but get rid of unnecessary costs on mobile operator tariffs for incoming bank SMS. We will look at the application interface, current versions for Android, as well as nuances that may arise during the setup process. Carefully following the instructions will help you avoid mistakes and ensure that you receive notifications for free through Push messages.
Differences between Mobile Banking and SMS notifications
Before you start changing settings in the application, you need to clearly distinguish between concepts that are often confused by users. The Mobile Bank service is a basic security service that links a phone number to a bank card. It is this that allows you to receive confirmation codes to enter the application and make payments. Complete disabling of this service will deprive you of the opportunity to use SberBank Online and make purchases on the Internet.
The second component is information tariffs. The bank offers various packages, including paid options for sending detailed reports on each transaction through the cellular operator's network. Disabling this particular option does not affect the functionality of the card or the ability to log into your personal account. You simply change the information delivery channel from paid SMS to free Push notificationthat comes via the Internet.
It is important to note that tariffs and terms of service may be changed periodically by the bank's management. The application interface is also being updated, so the location of some buttons may differ slightly in different versions of the software for Android. Always check the latest information in the help section inside the application or on the official website if the steps described below do not match your version of the app.
⚠️ Attention: It is impossible to completely disable the Mobile Bank service through the phone settings; this can only be done upon application at the branch or through a call to the support service. In the application, you control only the type of notifications.
Preparing the device and application for setup
To successfully complete the procedure, your smartphone must meet certain technical requirements. Make sure that your device has the latest available version of the application SberBank Online from the official store Google Play or a trusted source. Outdated versions of the software may not contain the necessary sections in the settings menu or may not work correctly when interacting with the server.
A stable Internet connection is also critically important. Since all changes are applied in real time via a secure communication channel, a connection loss while saving the settings may result in a synchronization error. It is recommended to use a Wi-Fi network to guarantee stability, especially if you plan to change settings for several cards at the same time.
Before you begin, check that the function of receiving Push notifications is active in the settings of the smartphone itself. Without this, you risk turning off paid SMS and being left without any information about expenses. Go to system settings Android, find the "Applications" section, select SberBank and make sure the "Notifications" switch is in the active position.
☑️ Check before you start
Step-by-step guide for disabling SMS through the app
The process of changing the information tariff is intuitive, but requires care when choosing specific options. After successfully logging into the application using biometric data or PIN code, go to the main menu. It is usually indicated by a profile icon in the upper right corner or a “More” button in the bottom navigation bar, depending on the version of the interface.
In the menu that opens, find the “Settings” section. Inside this section, you will be interested in the “Notifications and Security” item or simply “Notifications”. Here the system offers to manage all communication channels. Select the card for which you want to change the information conditions, if you have several of them. Clicking on the name of the card will open a detailed menu of settings specifically for this financial instrument.
In the card management menu, find the block responsible for “SMS informing” or “Tariffs”. The system will display the currently connected package (for example, “Full package” or “Economy”). Your task is to choose the option to disable paid SMS or switch to a free tariff. This is often done by clicking the “Change” button or switching the toggle switch to the “Off” position opposite the “Paid notifications” item.
If you do not see the disable button right away, try clicking on the current tariff - often the menu for changing the tariff is hidden inside the active service card.
After selecting the desired status, the system will ask you to confirm the action. This is an important security step to prevent settings from being changed accidentally. You will need to enter the code from the SMS that will be sent to the linked number, or confirm the operation via Push. After successful confirmation, you will receive a message that the service has been changed or disabled.
Setting up free Push notifications instead of SMS
By refusing paid text messages, you automatically become dependent on the quality of your Internet connection and the settings of your smartphone. In order not to miss information about debiting funds, you need to configure Push notifications correctly. In the SberBank application, this is done in the same “Notifications” section where you turned off SMS.
Make sure that the switch next to the “Card Transactions” or “Instant Notifications” item is active. It is this parameter that is responsible for the instant delivery of information about purchases via the Internet channel. Unlike SMS, Push messages are not charged by the telecom operator, which allows you to significantly save your budget when actively using the card.
However, free notifications have their own specifics of working on devices with Android. The smartphone's energy saving system can kill background application processes, causing notifications to arrive with a delay or not to arrive at all. To avoid this, you need to add the application to the exceptions of the battery optimization system.
Go to the phone settings, the “Battery” or “Applications” section, find SberBank and select the “No restrictions” or “Do not save battery” operating mode. Also check to make sure that Do Not Disturb or Focus mode is turned on during the hours when you are shopping, as they may block notification sounds.
⚠️ Attention: Push notifications only come when there is an Internet connection. If you are in an area without network coverage or roaming without mobile data, you will not receive a purchase notification instantly.
Managing tariffs for several cards
If you are a holder of several Sberbank cards (for example, a debit, credit and additional card for a child), it is important to understand that notification settings are applied individually to each card. Disabling SMS on one card will not affect the rates of another. This allows you to flexibly manage expenses: leave paid information on the main salary card, and transfer everything to Push on the additional one.
In the application, switching between cards is done through the main menu or by swiping across the screen. For each card, you must repeat the procedure of entering the settings and checking the service status. The bank may offer different tariff plans for different types of cards, for example, conditions for credit cards may differ from debit cards.
Below is a table illustrating typical differences in tariffs and information methods available in the application. Data may vary depending on the region and specific product.
| Card type | Free notifications | Paid tariff (example) | Cost per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debit (classic) | Push, Email | Full SMS package | 60 rubles |
| Credit card | Push, Email | Extended SMS | Free / 0 rub. |
| Social card | Push | Economy SMS | 30 rub. |
| Youth card | Push | Standard SMS | Free (promotion) |
Please note that some premium service packages (for example, SberPrime or service statuses) may include free SMS information by default. In this case, there is no point in disabling the service manually, since it is not charged. Check the terms of your tariff plan in the “About the card” section.
Notification settings are linked to each card individually. Changing the tariff on one card does not disable SMS on your other accounts.
Solving common problems and errors when disabling
Users may encounter a situation where the service deactivation button is inactive or displays an error when pressed. This is often due to technical work on the bank’s side or temporary failures in the operation of authorization servers. In this case, do not panic and try to press the button multiple times - this may block the operation.
Another common problem is the situation when SMS continue to arrive even after the application is officially turned off. This may be due to a delay in updating the carrier database. Typically synchronization takes from a few minutes to 24 hours. If messages arrive a day after the shutdown, you should contact support.
An “Insufficient rights” error or a requirement for re-authorization is also possible. This is a security mechanism: if you have changed your password or device recently, the system may require additional identity verification. Try exiting the application and logging in again, making sure that you are using the current PIN code.
What to do if the application crashes when saving settings?
If the application closes when you click the “Save” button, most likely the problem is in the app cache. Go to Android settings -> Applications -> SberBank -> Memory and click “Clear cache”. Do not delete the data, otherwise you will have to re-enter your login and password. After clearing the cache, try repeating the operation.
In rare cases, the problem may lie in linking an outdated phone number. If you changed your SIM card, but did not update your contact information in the bank, notifications may go to the old number, and control through the app may be blocked. Check the relevance of the number in the user profile.
⚠️ Attention: If you see a charge for SMS after disabling the service, save a screenshot of the settings from the application with the date of deactivation. This will be evidence for the bank when returning the funds.
Alternative ways to manage notifications
If for some reason using the application SberBank Online on your device Android is impossible (for example, the phone does not support the new version of the software or access is lost), there are other legal ways to disable paid services. The bank provides several communication channels to solve such problems so that clients are not tied only to a smartphone.
One of the fastest ways is to use ATMs or self-service terminals. By inserting the card and entering the PIN code, you can go to the “Information and Service” or “Settings” menu, where the control point for mobile banking and tariffs is also available. This method is reliable, as it does not depend on the quality of the Internet connection on your personal phone.
You can also use a call to the contact center. After identifying a person using a security question, the operator can remotely change the tariff to a cheaper one or disable paid options. This method is convenient for those who are not well versed in the application menu, but it requires time to wait for the operator to respond.
The last resort is a personal visit to the bank office with a passport. A branch employee will not only help you turn off unnecessary services, but will also explain the current tariffs in detail, perhaps choosing a more profitable option that you didn’t know about. This is the only way to resolve complex controversial situations with write-offs.
When calling the bank, prepare your passport data and the answer to the secret question in advance - this will speed up the identification process and allow you to resolve the issue in one minute.
Is it possible to disable SMS, but leave the option of receiving login codes?
Yes, this is possible and is standard practice. Disabling SMS notifications (paid service for purchases) does not affect the operation of Mobile Banking (security service). Codes for logging in and confirming payments will be sent free of charge in the form of regular service SMS, regardless of your notification tariff.
Why, after turning off SMS, was the money still debited once?
A debit can occur if you disable the service in the middle of the billing period. Some tariff plans charge for a full month or for the fact that the service is provided in the current cycle. There may also be a delay in processing the request by the bank's system. Typically, the overpayment is returned to the account in the next month or upon application.
Will notifications be sent if the phone is turned off?
Push notifications (free) will not arrive if the phone is turned off or does not have access to the Internet, since they require an active connection to the Google server and the bank. Paid SMS are saved in the operator’s memory and delivered as soon as the phone is turned on and the network appears, but only if the service is not completely disabled.
How to check whether the paid service is definitely disabled?
Go to the SberBank Online application, go to the settings of the specific card and the “Tariffs” or “Notifications” section. The status should be “Disabled” or a free plan should be selected. You can also order an account statement for the last month - it should not contain lines with debits for “Mobile Bank” or “SMS notifications”.
Does disabling SMS affect the accrual of Thank You bonuses?
No, disabling paid SMS notifications does not in any way affect the SberSpasibo loyalty app. Points are awarded for the fact of making purchases and transactions using the card, and not for the method of obtaining information about them. You will continue to accumulate bonuses in full using only free Push notifications.