How to reconnect Smart‑ID after changing your phone: a complete guide

Smart-ID cannot simply be transferred from your old phone to your new phone. If you change phones or restore your device to factory settings, you must install the Smart-ID app on the new device and register a new account. The safest sequence is as follows: install the app, create a new account, check that it works, and delete the old account only after a successful test.

The guide below explains step by step how to get Smart-ID working on a new phone, which identity verification method to choose, and what to do if your old phone is lost, broken, or no longer accessible.

Smart-ID on a new phone: the short answer

1. Install the Smart-ID app on the new phone.
2. Start registering a new Smart-ID account.
3. Choose a suitable identity verification method.
4. Verify your identity by following the instructions displayed on the screen.
5. Create new Smart-ID PIN1 and PIN2 codes.
6. Test logging in to a bank or e-service.
7. Delete the old Smart-ID account only after the new one works.

A Smart-ID account is linked to a specific device. Therefore, it cannot be restored from a phone backup and is not automatically transferred with the SIM card or other apps. One person can have Smart-ID on multiple phones, but a separate account must be created for each device.

What do you need before registering Smart-ID?

Before you begin, make sure you have:

• a new Android or iOS phone with an operating system that supports the Smart-ID app;
• a stable internet connection;
• access to App Store, Google Play, or Huawei AppGallery;
• a suitable means of identification;
• if possible, your old phone until the new account has been created and tested.

Smart-ID allows you to identify yourself, log in to e-services, and digitally confirm actions. PIN1 is usually used for authentication, while PIN2 is used for signing or confirming a transaction. For more detailed general information, see the ID.ee Smart-ID guide.

Important: When creating a new Smart-ID account, you set new Smart-ID PIN codes. They do not have to be the same as the PIN codes for your old Smart-ID account or ID card. If you use an Estonian ID card to register, you will also need the ID card PIN codes separately.

How to set up Smart-ID on a new phone: 7 steps

1. Install the Smart-ID app

Download the official Smart-ID app to your new phone. The safest option is to start from the official Smart-ID registration page, where you will find the correct download links.

• Open the App Store, Google Play, or Huawei AppGallery.
• Search for the app named “Smart-ID”.
• Before installation, check that the app publisher is correct.
• Install the app and open it.

For additional guidance, you can also view Tele2's tutorial on creating a Smart-ID account.

2. Start registering a new Smart-ID account

Open the app and select “Register” or “Register a new Smart-ID”. When you change phones, your old account will not be transferred to the new device—the app will ask you to create a new account, and this is normal.

Select Estonia, accept the terms of use, and follow the instructions displayed in the app. The official instructions for registering a Smart-ID account are available in the Smart-ID registration help center.

3. Choose an identity verification method

In Estonia, the appropriate registration method depends on your phone, document, and existing authentication tools. The app only shows you the options available in your specific situation.

Estonian ID card via NFC

This is usually the most straightforward option if you have a valid Estonian ID card and an NFC-enabled phone. You need:

• a valid Estonian ID card;
• the six-digit CAN code on the front of the card;
• your ID card's PIN1 and PIN2 codes;
• a phone with NFC enabled.

If the phone does not read the card immediately, move the ID card slowly over the back of the phone. The location of the NFC reader varies by model.

using Mobile-ID

Using Mobile-ID to register Smart-ID is only possible under limited conditions. Mobile-ID must be on the same Android phone on which the Smart-ID account is created. In addition, Estonian Mobile-ID accounts activated on or after 2 July 2022 cannot be used to register a new Smart-ID account. If the app does not offer this option, choose another identification method.

Using biometric identification

Biometric registration is suitable for someone who has used Smart-ID before. In Estonia, you need a valid passport with a chip, an NFC-enabled phone, and access to the phone number or email address associated with your previous Smart-ID account. During the process, the document is scanned and facial recognition is performed.

Using an existing Smart-ID account

In some cases, a new account can be authenticated using an active Smart-ID account on another device. For adults, this option is limited: the previous active account must generally have been created with the help of a bank teller at a bank branch, and you must have access to both that account and the device.

At a bank branch

If electronic registration is unsuccessful, you can complete the account creation process at a bank branch. In Estonia, Swedbank, SEB and Luminor offer this option. Bring a valid identity document and check the bank's service terms and any applicable fees before your visit.

4. Verify your identity

Follow the on-screen instructions for the selected method exactly. Do not confirm any action that you did not initiate yourself, and always compare the verification code shown in the app with the one shown in the e-service.

When registering using an ID card and NFC, you usually need to:

1. enter the ID card's six-digit CAN code;
2. enter the ID card PIN1;
3. hold the ID card near the phone's NFC reader until the data has been read;
4. verify personal data;
5. confirm the application using the ID card PIN2.

The ID card PIN codes are used here to verify your identity and confirm the Smart-ID application. They are not the PIN codes for the new Smart-ID account.

5. Create new Smart-ID PIN codes

During registration, the app will ask you to set PIN1 and PIN2 for the new account.

• PIN1 is used to log in to e-services and online banking.
• PIN2 is intended for digital signing and confirming transactions or other actions.

Choose codes that are not easy for others to guess but that you can remember. Do not use your date of birth or repeated digits, and do not share the codes with anyone. Smart-ID PIN codes cannot be recovered or changed later. If you forget them, you must delete the old account and register a new one.

6. Check that the new account works

Do not delete your old Smart-ID account immediately after activating the new account. First, check that you can actually perform the necessary operations with your new phone.

1. Open an online bank or an e-service, such as eesti.ee.
2. Select Smart-ID as the login method.
3. Check that the verification codes displayed on both devices match.
4. Confirm the login using your new Smart-ID PIN1.
5. If possible, also test using PIN2 in a secure operation, such as digitally signing a document you initiated yourself.

If logging in and confirmation work, the new Smart-ID account is ready to use.

7. Remove the old Smart-ID account

Once the new account has been activated and tested, delete the Smart-ID account from the device you no longer use.

• If you have the old phone, open the Smart-ID app menu and select the option to delete the account.
• If the old device does not work, use the Smart-ID self-service portal.
• If you cannot log in to the self-service portal, contact Smart-ID customer support.

The phone number for Smart-ID Eesti customer support is +372 715 1606 and the email address is help.ee@smart-id.com.

What should you do with Smart-ID on your old phone?

When changing phones normally, do not delete the old account before the new account has been created and verified. The old phone can serve as a temporary backup, and in some cases the existing account can be used as part of registering the new account.

The correct order is:

1. install Smart-ID on the new phone;
2. register a new account;
3. test that PIN1 and PIN2 work;
4. delete the old account from the device that is no longer used.

Having multiple active accounts is not prohibited in itself, but each account is linked to a specific device. For security and convenience, unused accounts should be removed.

What should you do if your old phone has been lost or stolen?

If your phone is lost or stolen, do not wait until the new account is ready. Due to the security risk, delete the Smart-ID account associated with the lost device as soon as possible.

1. Log in to the Smart-ID self-service portal using an ID card, Mobile-ID, or Smart-ID on another device.
2. Delete the account associated with the lost phone.
3. If you cannot log in to the self-service portal, call Smart-ID customer support at +372 715 1606.
4. Create a new Smart-ID account on your new phone.
5. Also check active login sessions in banking apps, email and other important accounts, and change your passwords if necessary.

The Smart-ID app and account cannot be restored from a phone backup. If the device is lost or reset to factory settings, a new account must always be registered on the new phone.

How can I get Smart-ID to work if my phone does not support NFC?

Without NFC, ID card-based NFC registration and biometric identity verification cannot be used in Estonia. The available alternatives depend on your situation:

• use an existing Smart-ID account on another device if it meets the registration requirements;
• use Mobile-ID if your account and Android device meet the current restrictions;
• visit a Swedbank, SEB, or Luminor bank branch.

If your phone is very old and the official app store does not allow you to install the Smart-ID app, the device may no longer meet the technical requirements.

What should you do if Smart-ID registration fails?

The app says that a new account must be registered

This is not an error. Smart-ID is device-specific, so after changing phones or restoring factory settings, you need to create a new account. For more information about using Smart-ID, see the Smart-ID help page.

The ID card cannot be read via NFC

• check that NFC is enabled in your phone's settings;
• remove the thick phone case;
• keep the document still and try different positions on the back of the phone;
• check that the ID card is valid and NFC-enabled;
• close other apps that use NFC.

The Mobiil-ID option is not displayed or registration fails

Check whether the Mobiil-ID SIM card is in the same Android phone and when the Mobiil-ID account was activated. Estonian Mobiil-ID accounts activated on or after 2 July 2022 cannot be used to register a new Smart-ID account.

Biometric identification fails

Make sure that you have previously used Smart-ID, that you are using a valid Estonian biometric passport, that your phone supports NFC, and that you have access to the phone number or email address linked to your previous account. Complete the process in good lighting and set aside at least ten uninterrupted minutes.

PIN1 or PIN2 has been forgotten

Smart-ID PIN codes cannot be recovered, retrieved or changed. If the codes have been forgotten or permanently locked, the existing account must be deleted and a new account registered.

The login request does not appear on the phone

• check your internet connection;
• open the Smart-ID app manually;
• check that you entered the correct personal identification code in the e-service;
• make sure you select the correct Smart-ID account if you have multiple active devices;
• update the app to the latest version.

Why isn't Smart-ID automatically transferred to a new phone?

The Smart-ID account and its cryptographic keys are tied to a specific device. They are not copied to the phone's cloud backup or transferred with the SIM card. This reduces the risk of someone taking over your digital identity by copying data from the phone.

Because Smart-ID is device-specific, it can be used on multiple phones or tablets, but a separate account must be registered on each device. You can read more about Smart-ID technology and its uses on the official Smart-ID information page.

Smart-ID, Mobiil-ID or ID card: which backup solution should you choose?

• Smart-ID works through the app and an internet connection and does not depend on a specific SIM card.
• Mobiil-ID is linked to a SIM card issued by a mobile operator.
• ID card is a physical authentication tool that can be used via a supported device or service.

It is safest to have at least two working authentication methods. This way, if you lose your phone, it malfunctions, or there is an app registration problem, you will not completely lose access to your bank and e-services.

Safe use of Smart-ID after changing phones

• Keep your phone locked with a screen lock, strong password, or biometric protection.
• Do not share your PIN1 and PIN2 codes with anyone, including family members or customer support.
• Before entering the PIN, make sure you initiated the operation yourself.
• Always compare the verification code displayed in the e-service and on your phone.
• Do not confirm an unexpected login, payment, or signature request.
• Delete accounts from devices you no longer use.

Frequently asked questions

How do I transfer Smart-ID to a new phone?

Smart-ID is not transferred to a new phone as an existing account. Install the Smart-ID app on the new device, register a new account, verify your identity, create new PIN codes and test logging in. Delete the old account after the new account is working.

Can Smart-ID be set up on a new phone without the old phone?

Yes. The old phone is not necessarily required, but you must have a suitable means of identity verification, such as an NFC-enabled Estonian ID card, an eligible Mobiil-ID, biometric identification, or the option to visit a bank branch.

Should the old Smart-ID be deleted before installing the new one?

No. When changing phones normally, delete the old account only after activating and testing the new account. The exception is a lost or stolen phone—in that case, the old account should be closed immediately for security reasons.

Can Smart-ID be used on two phones at the same time?

Yes. Smart-ID can be used on multiple devices, but a separate account must be registered for each phone or tablet.

Can Smart-ID be activated on a new phone using Mobiil-ID?

In some cases, yes, but the method has limitations. Mobiil-ID must be on the same Android phone, and Estonian Mobiil-ID accounts activated on or after 2 July 2022 cannot be used to register a new Smart-ID account.

How do I connect Smart-ID on a new phone using an ID card?

Install the Smart-ID app, select Estonian ID card as the registration method, and follow the NFC instructions. You need a valid NFC-enabled ID card, the card's CAN code, your ID card PIN1 and PIN2, and an NFC-enabled phone.

Can Smart-ID be restored from a phone backup?

No. The Smart-ID account and device-related keys cannot be restored from a cloud or phone backup. After replacing your phone or restoring factory settings, you must register a new account.

What should I do if I have forgotten my Smart-ID PIN codes?

PIN codes cannot be recovered or changed. Delete the existing account and register a new Smart-ID account with new PIN1 and PIN2 codes.

What should I do if my old phone is lost?

Delete the Smart-ID account linked to the lost phone in the self-service portal or call customer support at +372 715 1606. Then register a new account on the new phone and also check the security of your other important accounts.

What should I do if my phone does not support NFC?

Without NFC, you cannot use NFC registration with an Estonian ID card or biometric identification. Check whether you can use an existing Smart-ID account that meets the requirements or Mobiil-ID, or visit a Swedbank, SEB, or Luminor bank branch.

Summary

When changing phones, you do not have to interrupt your use of Smart-ID if you follow the correct sequence. Install the app on the new phone, register a new account using a suitable identification method, create new PIN codes, and test access to your bank or e-service. Only then should you delete the old account.

If your phone is lost or stolen, the order is different: immediately close your old account through the Smart-ID self-service portal or customer support, then create a new account on your new device.