Why New Mettle Customers Need a Clear Onboarding Roadmap
Mettle's app-first design means the entire account opening process happens on your phone, with no web alternative and no paper forms—a departure from traditional banking that confuses some first-time users. The referral code redemption mechanism is particularly non-obvious: you cannot enter the code at sign-up or during checkout, but only after your first card payment has fully settled, a requirement many users discover only after attempting to claim their bonus prematurely. Understanding the correct sequence of steps, the timing requirements, and the eligibility conditions before you start saves frustration and ensures you capture the £50 credit without delay.
This guide walks you through each stage of Mettle account setup in the order Mettle's system requires, explains what happens at each step, and identifies the common friction points where new customers get stuck. By the end, you will know exactly what to do from app download to code redemption.
Step 1: Download the Mettle App and Create Your Account
Mettle operates exclusively through its mobile app; there is no web-based account opening process, so your first action is to download the official Mettle app from the Apple App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android). Search for "Mettle" and confirm you are installing the app published by Mettle Limited (the official developer). Once installed, open the app and tap "Create Account" to begin the registration flow.
The app will ask you to select your business type: sole trader or limited company. This choice is important because Mettle's referral offer is restricted to these two entity types only; partnerships, trusts, and other structures are not eligible. If you are a sole trader, you will provide your personal name, date of birth, and National Insurance number. If you are a limited company, you will provide your company registration number (from Companies House), company name, and the details of the company's directors. Mettle uses this information to verify your identity and business legitimacy against government records.
Next, you will enter your personal address, contact details, and tax residency information. Mettle requires you to confirm that you are a UK tax resident; if you are not, you cannot open an account. You will also declare your business sector (e.g., consulting, e-commerce, freelance services) and estimated annual turnover. This information helps Mettle assess compliance risk and determine which features (like the referral bonus) apply to your account. Be honest and accurate; false declarations can result in account closure later.
Once you have entered all required information, submit your application. Mettle's automated system reviews applications within minutes to a few hours. You will receive a notification in the app indicating whether you have been approved, requested to provide additional information, or declined. Most applications are approved instantly; if Mettle requests additional documents or information, respond promptly to avoid delays.
Step 2: Complete Identity Verification (KYC) and Business Verification
Mettle's Know Your Customer (KYC) process is a regulatory requirement designed to prevent fraud and money laundering; it is standard across all UK banks and fintech providers. After your initial application is approved, Mettle will ask you to verify your identity by uploading a photo of your passport or UK driving licence. Use a well-lit, clear photo showing all four corners of the document; blurry or partially obscured images will be rejected and require resubmission.
Mettle's system uses automated document recognition and facial matching to verify that the document is genuine and that you are the person named on it. This process typically completes within minutes. If the automated check fails, Mettle may request a manual review, which can take 24–48 hours. Once your identity is verified, you will receive a confirmation notification in the app.
Next, Mettle requires proof of business activity. This is where many new users encounter confusion: Mettle is not asking for your business plan or a formal business registration (sole traders do not have formal registration). Instead, Mettle wants evidence that you are actively operating a business. Acceptable proof includes: a website or online portfolio (for freelancers and consultants), active social media business profiles (Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok with business content), recent invoices or receipts showing business transactions, seller profiles on e-commerce platforms (Etsy, Amazon, Shopify), or professional credentials (membership in a trade body, professional license). If you are a limited company, your Companies House registration is usually sufficient, but Mettle may still request additional evidence of current trading activity.
Upload your chosen proof document(s) via the app. Mettle's compliance team reviews these manually, typically within 24 hours. Once approved, you will receive a notification that your business has been verified and your account is fully activated. At this point, you are eligible to order a debit card and begin using your account.
Step 3: Activate Your Debit Card and Make Your First Payment
Once your account is verified, Mettle will offer you a choice: activate a digital card immediately (for use in Apple Pay or Google Pay) or wait for a physical card to arrive by post (5–7 business days). To redeem the referral code, you must make a qualifying card payment, so activate the digital card immediately if you want to claim the £50 bonus without delay. The digital card is fully functional and can be used for online purchases, contactless payments via your phone, and in-app transactions.
If you prefer to wait for the physical card, you can, but this delays your first payment and therefore delays your eligibility to redeem the referral code. UseMyCode recommends activating the digital card as soon as it is offered; you can order the physical card simultaneously and use whichever arrives first.
Once your card is activated, make a qualifying payment using your Mettle card. This can be any legitimate business expense: a software subscription (e.g., Adobe, Canva, Slack), stationery or office supplies, fuel, a business-related meal, or even a £1 test transaction if you are unsure. The amount does not matter; Mettle only requires evidence that you can and will use the account for real business activity. The payment triggers Mettle's compliance system to flag your account as an active user, which unlocks the referral code redemption feature.
After you make the payment, it will appear in your Mettle app with a "Pending" status. Do not attempt to redeem the referral code while the transaction is Pending; the redemption system will not activate until the payment has fully settled.
Step 4: Wait for Your Payment to Settle and Locate the Redeem a Code Section
Payment settlement typically takes 1–3 business days, depending on the merchant and the payment method (debit card transactions usually settle faster than other payment types). During this time, the transaction will show as "Pending" in your Mettle app. You can check the status by opening the app and viewing your transaction history. Once the payment moves to "Completed" status (you will see a green tick or a "Completed" label), you are eligible to redeem the referral code.
Refresh your Mettle app or close and reopen it after the payment has settled. Navigate to your Account settings (usually the profile icon at the bottom of the screen) and scroll down to find the "Redeem a Code" option. This section only appears after your first payment has Completed; if you do not see it, your payment is likely still Pending. Wait another 24 hours and refresh the app. If the payment remains Pending after 3 business days, contact Mettle support via the in-app chat to confirm settlement.
Once you locate the "Redeem a Code" section, tap it to proceed to the code entry screen.
Step 5: Enter Your Referral Code and Confirm Redemption
In the "Redeem a Code" section, you will see a text field where you can type or paste your referral code. Enter the code HTLSB exactly as shown—it is case-insensitive, so HTLSB, htlsb, and Htlsb are all valid, but do not include extra spaces or characters. Copy and paste the code from this page if you are unsure about typing it correctly; a single typo will cause the code to fail validation.
Tap the "Redeem" or "Confirm" button (wording varies by app version). Mettle's system will validate the code in real-time. If the code is valid and you are eligible, you will see a success message confirming that £50 has been credited to your account. The credit may appear in your balance immediately, or it may take up to 30 days depending on Mettle's internal processing. Most users report seeing the £50 within 7–14 days.
If the code is rejected with an error message (e.g., "Invalid code" or "Code not found"), verify the following: you have typed the code correctly without extra spaces; your first payment has fully Completed (not still Pending); you are a new Mettle customer with no account held in the previous 12 months; you are a UK tax resident; and you are operating as a sole trader or limited company. If all conditions are met and the code still fails, take a screenshot of the error message and contact Mettle support immediately. Provide UseMyCode with the same information if you believe the code is no longer functioning.
UseMyCode Tip: Screenshot your completed payment status and the successful code redemption confirmation as soon as you see the success message. If the £50 does not appear in your account within 30 days, you will have proof of redemption to show Mettle support, which accelerates investigation and ensures you receive your credit.
Troubleshooting Common Onboarding Issues and How to Resolve Them
Even with clear instructions, some users encounter friction during Mettle onboarding. The most common issues are identity verification rejection (blurry document photos, facial mismatch), business verification delays (insufficient proof of trading activity), and referral code redemption failures (payment still Pending, eligibility issues, or typos). Understanding why each issue occurs and how to resolve it prevents unnecessary delays and frustration.
Identity Verification Rejected: If Mettle's automated system rejects your passport or driving licence photo, the most common causes are poor lighting, blurry focus, or the document being partially out of frame. Retake the photo in natural daylight, ensure all four corners of the document are visible, and hold the camera steady. Avoid shadows and reflections. If the rejection persists, Mettle may request a manual review; this takes 24–48 hours. If you are rejected after manual review, contact Mettle support to understand the specific reason (e.g., document expired, name mismatch) and resubmit if applicable.
Business Verification Delayed or Rejected: If Mettle requests business proof and you are unsure what to submit, start with the easiest option: if you have a website or active social media profile showing your business, upload a screenshot. If you are a limited company, your Companies House registration number is usually sufficient, but Mettle may still request evidence of current trading (e.g., recent invoices). If you are a sole trader with minimal online presence, upload recent invoices or receipts showing business transactions. If Mettle rejects your submission, they will explain why in the app; resubmit with clearer or more recent evidence. Most rejections are resolved on the second attempt within 24 hours.
Referral Code Redemption Option Not Visible: This is almost always because your first payment is still Pending. Wait 24–48 hours, refresh the app, and check the transaction status again. If it remains Pending after 3 business days, contact Mettle support to confirm settlement. Do not attempt to redeem the code until the transaction shows as Completed.
Code Entered but Shows as Invalid: Verify you have typed HTLSB without extra spaces or characters. If the code appears correct, check your eligibility: are you a new customer (no Mettle account in the last 12 months)? Are you a UK tax resident? Are you operating as a sole trader or limited company? If you are ineligible, the code will fail. If you are eligible and the code still fails, contact Mettle support and provide UseMyCode with the same information.
Code Accepted but £50 Not Credited After 30 Days: Contact Mettle support with the date you redeemed the code and your transaction ID. Provide the same information to UseMyCode so we can investigate whether the code is still functioning for other new customers. Most delays are resolved within 48 hours of contacting support.
About This Article
This article was written by the UseMyCode editorial team and last reviewed on 8 June 2026. UseMyCode independently verifies every referral link and discount code before publication. This page may contain affiliate links — see our editorial policy for details.
