Why isn't Twint working?

🇨🇭 TWINT: Why isn't it working? A complete guide for users in Switzerland

ByJean-Michel

TWINT has become the most popular mobile payment method in SwitzerlandWhether it's to pay in a supermarket, transfer money between friends or pay for an online purchase, millions of Swiss people use this application every day. But sometimes TWINT does not work : the app crashes, the payment is declined, or the linked bank account no longer appears. In this comprehensive article, we take stock of the possible causes, solutions, and differences between the Prepaid app and versions integrated with Swiss banks.
Official website: https://www.twint.ch/

📱 TWINT in brief: the Swiss payment system

TWINT was born in 2014 and has established itself as the Swiss alternative to Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal. Today, more than 5 million users use it every month, making it the number one payment app in Switzerland.

There are two main types of TWINT apps:

  1. Prepaid : independent version, rechargeable by card or transfer.
  2. With a partner bank : each major Swiss bank (UBS, Credit Suisse, Raiffeisen, PostFinance, Zürcher Kantonalbank, BCV, etc.) offers its own TWINT application linked directly to the bank account.

❌ Why does TWINT sometimes not work? The main causes

1. Technical problems or overloaded servers

Like any digital application, TWINT may experience temporary breakdowns. Servers can sometimes become overloaded, especially during peak periods (Christmas, Black Friday, festivals, football matches, etc.). In this case, all users – whether prepaid or through a bank – can be affected.

2. Unstable internet connection

A TWINT payment requires a active internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data). In rural areas, underground parking lots, or armored buildings, the application may fail due to lack of network.

3. Insufficient balance (TWINT Prepaid)

For TWINT Prepaid users, the account must be topped up. If the balance is insufficient, the payment will be automatically declined.

4. Bank-related blocking

For those who use TWINT through their bank, a problem may arise:

  • of linked bank account (insufficient balance, unauthorized overdraft, security block),
  • of a integration bug between TWINT and the bank.

5. Outdated version of the application

Some errors are caused by an outdated app. TWINT regularly releases fixes via the App Store or Google Play.

6. Problems with QR codes or terminals

Sometimes it's not TWINT that crashes but the payment terminal from the merchant or the scanned QR code which is incorrect.

🔧 Practical solutions when TWINT does not work

  1. Check internet connection : enable/disable mobile data or switch to Wi-Fi.
  2. Close and restart the TWINT application.
  3. Update the app via App Store or Google Play.
  4. Check the balance : top up if you are on TWINT Prepaid.
  5. Check bank account (TWINT bank): balance, limits, authorizations.
  6. Try another payment method if the application is down.
  7. Contact TWINT Support : via the official website or directly from the application.

🔄 Differences between TWINT Prepaid and TWINT Bank

TWINT Prepaid

  • Advantage: can be used even without a Swiss bank account.
  • Rechargeable by transfer or card.
  • Limited to certain amounts.
  • Ideal for young people, people without a main bank account in Switzerland or expats.

TWINT integrated with banks

  • Linked directly to bank account.
  • No need to manually reload.
  • Usable for higher amounts.
  • More stable, but also depends on the partner bank's system.

📊 Statistics and usage in Switzerland

  • More than 200 million transactions made via TWINT in 2024.
  • Approximately 80 % young people aged 18 to 35 use TWINT regularly.
  • TWINT is accepted in 95 % of major Swiss businesses, and increasingly in markets and small businesses thanks to QR codes.
  • The system has become a national standard : taxis, parking, donations to associations, transport tickets, everything can be paid for via TWINT.
Why isn't Twint working?

💡 Frequent cases where TWINT “crashes”

  • At festivals, when several thousand people pay at the same time.
  • In some businesses that still use poorly configured terminals.
  • When users have not enabled permissions (camera to scan QR codes, background internet access).

🛡️ Security and possible blockages

TWINT is secure but certain operations may cause a temporary blockage:

  • Multiple suspicious quick payments → activation of anti-fraud protection.
  • Jailbroken/rooted device → TWINT may refuse to work.
  • Card or bank account disabled → TWINT displays an error.

🤝 User experience in Switzerland

Despite these occasional issues, TWINT remains very popular:

  • Convenient for splitting the bill between friends.
  • Ideal for paying online without a credit card.
  • Quick on the go or for a morning coffee.

Breakdowns sometimes generate frustration, but they remain limited in time and generally quickly corrected.

How it works, video explanation

official YouTube account of the Swiss payment system.

🌍 Perspectives and future of TWINT

  • Expansion to more cross-border payments with Germany and Austria.
  • Development of new functions such as subscriptions or savings management.
  • Improved server stability to avoid massive outages during major events.

✅ Conclusion

If TWINT does not work, the causes are multiple: server failure, unstable connection, insufficient balance, banking problem or outdated application. Solutions exist and most blockages can be resolved in a few minutes.

Whether it is TWINT Prepaid or of TWINT integrated into a Swiss bank, this system remains the number one in mobile payment in Switzerland, combining practicality, security, and popularity. The rare malfunctions are a reminder that no technology is infallible, but TWINT's steady progress shows that it is now firmly anchored in the daily lives of Swiss people.

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