When switching devices, you can transfer your Threema ID with an ID export. An ID export only contains the ID; it doesn’t contain chats, group memberships, media files or your contacts’ green verification levels. (To transfer your other Threema data, you have to create a Threema Safe backup or a data backup.)
1. Export Your ID
Android
To create an ID export, navigate to “My Profile > Backup and delete,” and select “Export ID.”
Choose a password for the ID export. Without this password, you will not be able to restore your ID.
Your ID data (consisting of your private key) will be encrypted and shown to you as a text string and QR code.
Save the ID export in a secure location. You can also send the information to yourself by email.
iOS
To create an ID export, tap on “Profile” in the app, select “ID Export,” and choose a password. Without this password, you will not be able to restore your ID.
Your ID data (consisting of your private key) will be encrypted and shown to you as a text string and QR code.
Save the ID export in a secure location.
You can also include your ID export automatically in the next iTunes/Finder backup by activating “Include in Phone Backup.”
2. Restore ID from ID Export
An ID export can only be restored in the Threema app’s setup wizard. The setup wizard appears after a new installation or a device change when opening the app for the first time.
If Threema is already set up with another ID which you would like to replace, remove the current ID first by following the steps described under “Remove Threema ID from Current Device” in this FAQ entry.
Restore ID on Android: When starting Threema for the first time on the new device, select “Restore from backup,” tap on “Other restore options,” and select “Exported ID.” When entering the backup string, don’t omit the hyphens.
Restore ID on iOS: When starting Threema for the first time on the new device, tap “Restore ID from Backup,” select “Keep Local Data,” and then tap “Exported ID.” If the string for the ID export is prepopulated, confirm it. Otherwise, scan the QR code of your ID export or enter the string manually (don’t omit the hyphens). What’s left to do for you is to enter the ID export’s password and to confirm by tapping “Done.”
If you switch devices, it’s required to remove your Threema ID from the old device once you have successfully restored the ID on your new device.
