In a Nutshell
With your Credit Karma membership, you can check your free credit scores, shop for credit card and loan offers with personalized Approval Odds, and open an account that makes your money work for you. Credit Karma’s app is a great way to get the most out of these and other features.Welcome to Credit Karma! Let’s explore what your new Credit Karma membership has to offer.
As Credit Karma has expanded its mission to help members make financial progress, the Credit Karma app has expanded personalized tools and features as well. Credit Karma’s app is free to download for iOS and Android, and it empowers you to stay on top of your overall financial picture by checking your free credit scores and free credit reports. But that’s not all. With Credit Karma, you can also shop for credit card and loan offers with personalized Approval Odds, monitor your credit and ID for free, and more.
In this article, we’ll cover how to download the Credit Karma app on your iOS or Android device. Then we’ll take a deep dive into some of the in-app features that can help you make financial progress today.
- How to download the Credit Karma app on iOS and Android
- Features unique to the Credit Karma app
- Personalized products and tools in the Credit Karma app
How to download the Credit Karma app
If you haven’t downloaded the Credit Karma mobile app yet, you can do so on a compatible iPhone or Android device. The Credit Karma app is free to download. Downloading and using the app won’t have any impact on your credit, and Credit Karma takes security seriously.
We’ll get into compatibility requirements for iOS and Android devices below, but now’s a good time to mention that the Credit Karma app isn’t currently compatible with Windows phones, tablets and some large-resolution phones.
How to get the Credit Karma app for iOS
- Head over to the App Store and verify that your device is compatible with the Credit Karma app. As of March 2021, the app requires iOS 12.0 or later and is compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
- Click the icon to download.
- Once the app is installed, use your credentials to log in.
How to get the Credit Karma app for Android
- Head over to the Google Play store and verify that your device is compatible with the Credit Karma app. If you’re having trouble with your Android device, you can contact Credit Karma’s member support team for help.
- Click the “Install” button.
- Once the app is installed, use your credentials to log in.
Features unique to the Credit Karma app
Even if you’ve already started to take advantage of your Credit Karma membership, you may be missing out on certain features if you’re only using the desktop or mobile site. Here are some features only found in the Credit Karma app.
Multiple login options
Depending on your device, you may have as many as three options for logging in on the mobile app.
- PIN
- Touch ID
- Face ID
To choose your preferred login option, tap the three dots icon in the top right corner of the app, and then tap Settings to change your login settings.
If you have a compatible device, you’ll see options to set up Touch ID or Face ID in the menu (look directly below Change passcode). You can toggle Touch ID or Face ID on or off by tapping the circle on the right side.
In-app alerts and push notifications
Alerts and push notifications can help you stay on top of important changes to your accounts and credit profile for the two bureaus Credit Karma works with: Equifax and TransUnion. They can also show you ways to make financial progress that you may not have previously been aware of.
With the Credit Karma app installed on your device, you’ll have the option to receive credit alerts if Credit Karma sees important changes to your credit reports from two of the three main consumer credit bureaus, Equifax and TransUnion. Some of these changes may be expected — you paid off a recent credit card bill, for example — while others may require your immediate attention or action. In either case, Credit Karma’s free credit-monitoring tool helps you stay on top of your credit and spot unwelcome surprises early.
Learn more: Is Credit Karma accurate?Personalized tools in the Credit Karma app
The Credit Karma app also offers access to all the personalized financial tools you’ll find on the desktop and mobile website. Many of these tools, like the Relief Roadmap, were designed first and foremost for the in-app experience. That’s why we think the app is the best way to make the most of Credit Karma’s most-helpful tools.
Personalized Approval Odds
If you’re shopping for financial products like a credit card or personal loan, Credit Karma can help by suggesting offers based on your credit and personalized “Approval Odds” (money Credit Karma makes from partners may also be a factor in our recommendations).
Approval Odds serve as guidelines (not guarantees) about the likelihood that you’ll be approved for a specific financial product. No two credit profiles are exactly the same, so your odds of approval might be different from those of other Credit Karma members. Scroll over the information icon next to the Approval Odds for each of your credit card recommendations, and you’ll see a pop-up message that explains how Credit Karma determines your unique Approval Odds.
Credit Karma looks at how your credit profile compares to other Credit Karma members who were approved for this product. Of course, there’s no such thing as a sure thing, but knowing whether your Approval Odds are Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair or Poor may help you narrow down your choices.
Curated tips to help you make financial progress
As you scroll through the app, you’ll see tips and curated advice to help you improve your credit and overall financial picture.
So in a section titled What you can do today, you might see tips or suggestions like …
- Pay down credit card debt with a personal loan
- Manage your car finances
- Learn more about the factors that can affect your home-buying power
You’ll also be able to explore recent updates to your credit reports. These updates are based on information from two of the major credit bureaus, Equifax and TransUnion.
Credit Health
The Credit Health feature can help you get a sense of whether your credit is in good shape and help identify areas that might need some work. You can see your credit score history, the factors affecting your current scores, and Credit Coaching tips for ways you can improve your scores.
Relief Roadmap
Credit Karma’s financial Relief Roadmap is a new tool that can help you explore and understand the relief resources, programs and financial services that may be available to you when you need them most.
After entering some personal information (like your household income and employment status), you’ll be presented with resources about government stimulus programs, unemployment benefits, debt relief opportunities and loan options you may qualify for.
The Relief Roadmap updates as Credit Karma sees new resources, so we recommend checking the Credit Karma app regularly for the latest information.
Free ID monitoring
Credit Karma’s free ID monitoring tool can help you spot potential identity theft.
If your information was exposed in a data breach, the app may alert you to any exposed passwords so that you can take the necessary steps to help keep your personal information safe.
Credit Karma Money
Credit Karma Money™ Save is a high-yield savings account option to consider if you want to see more of your finances in one place. It takes just a few minutes to open a savings account that earns a competitive interest rate. And once you’re set up, you’ll have insight into your credit and savings all in one place.
With a Credit Karma Money™ Spend checking account, you can set up direct deposit and get paid up to two days early. With this account you’ll receive a Credit Karma Visa Debit Card, which you can use anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted.
Next steps
We’re thrilled to welcome you as a Credit Karma member! Congratulations on taking this important step in your financial journey.
However you use Credit Karma, we’re confident that you’ll find financial tools to help you better understand your credit health and plan for your future. For a more robust and personalized experience than the website can provide, we recommend downloading the Credit Karma app and giving it a try.
If you’re running into issues downloading or using the mobile app, you may want to check the App Store or Google Play to make sure you’re up to date with the latest version. If the issue persists, try deleting the app, and then reinstalling it. You can also reach out to Credit Karma for support.