Replacing an Android smartphone with another model (also Android) will now be easier thanks to a new feature offered by Google on its operating system. Baptized “Restore Credentials”this new feature of the OS has just been presented to application developers. And in essence, thanks to this, when a user changes their smartphone, and completes the transfer of their data from their old smartphone to the new one, they will be able to directly use their applications, without having to connect again (with a password). password or access key).
“The experience is pleasant: users will continue to be connected as they were on their previous device, and they will be able to receive notifications to easily access their content without even needing to open the application on the new device”explains Google, in its announcement. Everything is done automatically, in the background, thanks to a system of recovery keys, which are automatically transferred between the new and old device, during the data transfer.
However, for this functionality to be available for an application, it must be implemented by its developer. Furthermore, Google indicates, on the Restore Credentials sheet, that this new feature is available on all devices equipped with Android 9 or a more recent version and Google Play services (GMS) Core version 242200000 or a version more recent. In other words, it will not be necessary to own a recent device to take advantage of this new feature, which is not linked to Android 15 or Android 16 (the preview version of which has just been released).
Developers should adopt this feature
Google believes, in any case, that it is in the interest of application developers to support this new functionality. The firm cites data indicating that 40% of smartphone users in the United States change devices or reset to factory condition once a year. However, having to log in to apps using a password is a source of friction that can frustrate the user and lead to abandoning an app.
“To address this issue, we are introducing Restore Credentials, a new feature of Android’s Credential Manager API. With Restore Credentials, apps can seamlessly onboard users to their accounts on a new device after they restore their apps and data from their previous device”indicates Google.
- Google improves the transition process for those switching smartphones (from one Android device to another Android device)
- A new feature, presented this week, will automatically log you into your apps on the new smartphone, without you having to enter your password on these applications
- But this feature needs to be implemented by app developers, for you to enjoy it
- It is available, even on older models (Android 9 at least)
