Frequently Asked Questions

Asto is a mobile app that makes it easier for you to take control of your business, make more informed decisions about your finances, and help your business thrive, helping with your bookkeeping and keeping your cashflow positive.

It’s really simple! Just download the app on iOS, sign up, verify your email and that’s it. You’re done.

Asto is only on iOS for the moment, but will be on Android soon. If you sign up to our community, we’ll let you know as soon as the Android app is ready.

Nothing. You’re free to use the app … for free. If we do add any paid features in the future, we’ll let you know about the costs. We promise not to sign you up for them without asking for your permission.

Yes.

Yes, Asto Digital Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under the Payment Service Regulations 2017 (firm reference number 798763) for the provision of payment services and under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (firm reference number 798694) for the provision of consumer credit-related services.  The only regulated service we currently provide is the ability to link your bank accounts from other providers.  This is known as ‘account information services’.  We’re busy planning other regulated products and will let you know when these are available.

Please get in touch and we’ll sort it out. You can give us a call on 0808 164 4277 or Live Chat with us between 8am – 6pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). You can leave us a message at any time.

We love feedback. Email us at help@asto.io or Live Chat with us between 8am – 6pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). You can leave us a message any time.

We’ll be sorry to see you go, but if you want to close your account, just get in touch and we’ll sort it out. You can also Live Chat with us or give us a call on  0808 164 4277 between 8am – 6pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). You can leave us a message at any time.

If you think there’s something we’re not doing well, we would like to know so we can fix it. You can Live Chat with us between 8am – 6pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays), email us on help@asto.io or call us on 0808 164 4277.

There’s more info on our complaints policy in our terms and conditions.

Keeping your data safe and secure is essential. We built data security into the way we work – not as an afterthought. Your personal information is protected by technology, security policies and procedures that follow international standards.

We regularly review and update these to meet our business needs, changes in technology and regulatory requirements.

We use your data to provide you with services and support (if you have any questions). We may also disclose your data to some of our trusted third-parties that help deliver our services. It’s written in their contracts that they must protect the privacy and security of your information.

We’ll never share your information with third-parties for marketing purposes without getting your permission first. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy.

The app uses any available data connection when it’s open. If you’re not connected to a Wi-Fi network, it will use data from your allowance.

Banking Aggregation is a service that lets you see the balances of your various accounts through a single interface.  It does this using secure, industry-standard, open banking technology known as APIs (or Application Programming Interfaces) to connect to your bank with your permission.  Once connected, you will be able to view your balances, transaction data and perform other functions via other apps and services. In Asto, linking your bank account allows you to view your linked bank balances in one place.

With your permission, it works using APIs to securely link through to your bank where you will typically log on using your normal online banking access details. This generates a secure token or code that we and you bank use to make sure it is you giving us access. We can then share with you your bank balances and transactions.

To start with, the app will link to a few bank accounts. Currently we support Santander, Halifax, HSBC and Lloyds Bank. This list will grow. We’ll keep you updated as new banks are added.

When you link your bank account to Asto, you’ll be sent to your bank’s website for authentication and authorisation, signing in as you normally would. If you can’t remember your bank login details – or you get an error – you’ll need to contact your bank. If there’s an issue with our app, then please contact us.

Your bank data is obtained via an Open Banking API. OpenBanking uses secure APIs and strong tokens to authenticate to your bank account. This is a lot more secure than previous methods of “scraping” data.

Easy – just go into the app, select which bank account you want to un-link from and select “Unlink”

Currently, we have Santander, Halifax, Lloyds and HSBC. But this changes regularly and we’re adding to it all the time – you can see which ones are live in the app (“See the big picture – link your bank accounts”) section.

Currently, you can just view your aggregated available balances, and separately, any overdrafts you have in place.  In the future, you may be able to initiate payments – watch this space.

Any! If it’s a receipt for something you’ve bought or paid for, then snap away and we’ll store it for you. It can even be in a different currency. Please don’t take pictures of anything that might reveal any personal data about you.

Asto needs a clear, sharp photo of your whole receipt. Check that yours isn’t blurry and that no parts are cut off. We need to see the Merchant Name, Date, Amount and VAT details.

Not yet, but we’d like to add this feature.

Yes, but they can be tricky for Asto to read. So you might need to manually add or amend some details to these yourself in the app. It’s a good idea to always check your receipt details have been properly recorded.

Yes. Asto can export all of your data from the receipts you have saved in the app into a spreadsheet or PDF. You can then email this to yourself to share with your bookkeeper or accountant.

Once scanned, your receipts are safe with us. However, we recommend you hold on to the paper copies.

Yes, it’s really easy to create itemised invoices, including details such as the description of the product/service, materials and/or labour hours. On the invoice creation screen, tap the ‘Total amount’ field and then the ‘+ add items’ button. On the next screen, fill in the details, decide whether to include VAT, then ‘Accept’ or ‘Add another item’.

VAT can be added by using + 20% VAT when adding line items or, for simple invoices, tapping the VAT toggle when entering your invoice amount. Either option will add a breakdown to show how much VAT has been added and a total.

You can give invoices custom due dates and set your own payments terms. Both options can be adjusted when you create an invoice or edit a draft. If you do set custom payment terms, we’ll let you know the new date your invoice will be due.

At the moment, you can’t add custom logos to invoices, but rest assured, this feature is coming soon.

You can change a lot of your company details in the ‘Business profile’ section at the top left of an invoice. This includes your company name, company number, address, Vat number, sort code and account number. You can add IBAN, SWIFT and/or PayPal details there.

Yes, all invoices are created with an auto-generated invoice number and increase in increments of one with each new invoice created.

No, editing a sent invoice is not possible. If you have made a mistake and need to change any aspect of it, you can delete the invoice and create a new one with the relevant details. Don’t forget, you may have to create and send a credit note for the invoice you have deleted.

Yes, there is a delete feature. In ‘Invoices’, select the invoice that you wish to delete. This will let you view the details. Make sure you’re in the correct invoice before deleting it. In the bottom right, select more. Here you will have the option to delete.

You can find all your sent invoices in the ‘Invoices’ section as well.

Yes. You have the option to change the colour of your invoices when you save and preview. Select a new colour from the options below the preview screen. The preview will update with your chosen colour. Once happy, save and send.

No, this feature is not currently available. If you are creating an invoice and leave the creation screen, any details entered will be lost. You will need to populate these again if you wish to create another invoice.

You can add these details in the ‘Your business profile’, found in the top left of the ‘Invoices’ section. It’s also where you can adjust your company information and bank details.

At this time, we do not provide the ability to track if your invoice is paid through the app. However, this will be coming soon.

No, at this time there is no option for you to print invoices you have created from the app. You can, however, view all invoices sent from you invoices main screen.

Yes, when entering the recipient email address, click the ‘+’ icon and you will see a list of all your contacts with email addresses. You can search for a name or email address using the search box at the top. Select the chosen address and this will be added in for you.

Once you have populated all the details for your invoice, press send in the top right corner. This will take you to a preview page where you can view your invoice. If there are any incorrect details or you wish to make a change, click the ‘<’ icon in the top left to take you back to edit.

The VAT toggle button on the app only allows for the standard rate of 20%. So if that is the rate you use, then your VAT can be calculated and added to your total automatically.

However, if you are registered for an alternative amount, such as 5% for instance, then you will have to calculate the amount yourself. You can then simply mention it within the invoice as an individual, separate line item. You can also do this for CIS (Construction Industry Scheme) deductions.