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Moving your Beam account to a new device
Security4 min read

Switching to a New Device

Move your Beam account safely to a new device while keeping your conversation history

ByBeam Team
on
#security#installation#devices

Switching to a New Device

Do you want to move your Beam account to a new device? Follow these steps to make sure you stay safe, keep your conversation history, and don't confuse your contacts with unknown sessions.

warning icon Important: When switching devices, your cryptographic identity changes. If this is not done correctly, you may lose your historical encrypted messages, or your contacts may incorrectly receive a warning that your identity is unknown.

Step 1: Preparation & Compatibility

Make sure your new device meets the requirements before you begin.

  • Check your system:
  • Download the official app:
    Install Beam only from the official App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
  • Have your details ready:
    Make sure you have your professional email address (for logging in) at hand.

Step 2: Backup & Key Management (On the Old Device)

Do this before you log out, remove or reset the old device.

  1. Open Beam and go to Settings > Encryption.
  2. Create a recovery key if you haven't done so yet. Store it in a safe place or in an organization-approved password manager. Creating the recovery key in Beam
  3. Check Key Storage: Make sure Allow key storage is ticked. This ensures that your keys sync securely across your devices.
  4. Change the recovery key:
    Change your recovery key if it has not been stored in a safe place or an organization-approved password manager.

lock icon Security warning: Never share your recovery key via email, chat or unsecured cloud. Beam staff will never ask for it.

Step 3: Installation & Logging In (New Device)

  1. Open the Beam app on your new device.
  2. Choose Continue and enter your professional email address.
  3. Enter the code that was just sent to your professional email address.
  4. Enter the code that was sent to your phone number.
  5. Verify your identity:
    1. Use another device: Use your old device to log in using the emoticons. If key storage was set up correctly in step 2, your history syncs automatically. You're all set.
    2. Use the recovery key: During setup you will be asked for a recovery code. Enter your recovery key here to restore your account.

Using the web version?

Do you want to use Beam on a laptop?

  1. First log in to the app on your smartphone.
  2. On your computer, go to web.beam.belgium.be.
  3. Use the app to scan the QR code that appears on the screen (Profile Icon > Link a device).

Step 4: Close Down & Wipe the Old Device

To make sure no one else has access to your account anymore:

  1. Open Beam on the old device.
  2. Go to Settings > Manage account & devices > Devices.
  3. Explicitly remove the session of the old device.
  4. Delete the app and the local cache.

Are you giving away or recycling the device? Then perform a full factory reset in accordance with your organization's IT policy.

Step 5: Validation & Security

Check that everything works properly:

  • Send a test message: Check that the encryption padlock lock icon is green. You can find this by clicking on the other person's profile icon in the chat. This means the connection is secure.
  • Watch out for identity reset notifications:
    If Beam warns you that a contact has gone through an identity reset, this means the keys do not match. Contact them immediately (by phone or in person) to verify who it is. Only then can you be sure you are really chatting with the right person.
  • Verify contacts:
    In case of doubt, you can verify important contacts in person or via another channel using the Verification option in the chat.