Published on 18 July 2024
Important tips & videos
You have registered an AGOV account and would like to find out more about using your AGOV account.
7 important Tips for AGOV users
Please watch this video to the end, it will provide you with seven very important tips for your AGOV login.
Welcome to AGOV. Please watch this video to the end, it will provide you with seven very important tips for your AGOV login.
Tip 1
AGOV generates a recovery code for you when you register. You must keep this code in a safe place. You can use this recovery code to unlock your AGOV account, unless you have performed an additional identity check in AGOV. If you have an identity-checked AGOV account, you will have to repeat the identity check. This will incur additional costs. We therefore strongly recommend Tip 2. If you have forgotten to save your recovery code, you can do it now at agov.ch/me under the menu option «Login factors».
Tip 2
Buy a FIDO security key and register it as an additional login factor in agov.ch/me. This gives you another emergency anchor in addition to the recovery code mentioned above. If you already have an identity-checked AGOV account, this is your only lifeline. You can find a list of suitable FIDO security keys at agov.ch/fido.
Tip 3
The AGOV access app cannot be functionally transferred from one smartphone to another, e.g. a new one. Therefore, when changing mobile phones, remember to log in to agov.ch/me one last time with the old mobile phone in order to register the new mobile phone, or the newly installed AGOV access app, in AGOV.
Tip 4
If you have installed the AGOV access app as a login factor on your smartphone, you must not delete or reset it under any circumstances, as this could lock you out.
Tip 5
Your AGOV login is personal. Do not pass it on to others. Do not register mobile phones, or FIDO security keys, as AGOV login factors if you do not have sole control over them.
Tip 6
Keep your email address saved in AGOV up to date, so that we can provide you with email support in the event of a recovery. You can manage your data at agov.ch/me.
Tip 7
Only scan the AGOV login code on the original AGOV login page. The login page is genuine only if agov.admin.ch is displayed as the domain name. You can find more information at agov.ch/qr.
Thank you for your attention. Support is available at agov.ch/help.
Please note that account recovery due to lost login factors may be subject to a fee.
AGOV explanatory videos
The videos explain the usage and functionality of AGOV.
AGOV - a brief introduction
AGOV is the public service login for Switzerland.
You can use it for federal services, and at participating cantonal and communal authorities.
If you want to fill out your tax return electronically, for example.
The AGOV login is simple and secure, as it does not use passwords.
Open your desired public services application on your computer and scan the QR code using the AGOV access app on your smartphone.
And that's it – you're already logged in.
The AGOV access app can be protected either with the biometrically secure access on your smartphone or with an app PIN.
You can download the AGOV access app for smartphone free of charge from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, and register it in AGOV.
As an alternative or complement to your smartphone, you can use passkeys, also known as FIDO tokens.
These are available from specialist retailers.
When you register with AGOV for the first time, you do not have to present your official identification, e.g. ID card or passport.
If an application that uses AGOV as a public service login requires an identity check, AGOV automatically offers options for presenting official photo identification.
This identity check is then valid for 5 years across the entire AGOV ecosystem.
As soon as the Swiss state eID is available, it can be used directly instead of the AGOV access app.
The identity check then happens automatically.
The AGOV access app will remain as an alternative.
You can set up your free AGOV login at any time on the agov.ch website.
AGOV - demonstration
This video shows how to log in to Swiss public service applications with AGOV, and takes you through the one-time self-registration process.
AGOV is a simple and secure login procedure which is used by many Swiss authorities for their eGovernment applications.
For example, online tax returns in the cantons, online VAT calculations with the Federal Government, and lots more besides.
Most people use the AGOV access app on their smartphone as a login factor for AGOV.
Let's take a look at how that works.
First, call up the desired public service application online.
Start the login procedure in that application.
It will redirect you automatically to AGOV.
Open the AGOV access app on your smartphone and use it to scan the QR code displayed in AGOV.
Your smartphone will now check whether the smartphone belongs to you.
In the example here, the check takes place with FaceID.
Once you have successfully completed the authentication process on your smartphone, you are also automatically logged in to the public service application.
Incidentally, you can also use a so-called passkey instead of a smartphone.
You might have heard of FIDO tokens, which are available from specialist electronics retailers.
The agov.ch/fido website lists a selection of FIDO tokens that can be used with AGOV.
The best solution is to register both a smartphone and a passkey for your AGOV login.
That way, you always have a backup login factor.
You can set up an AGOV login online quickly, easily and free of charge.
Simply call up your desired public service application, start the login procedure and then, in AGOV, click on the «Register now!» interface.
Here, you will see the QR codes enabling you to find the AGOV access app directly in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Download the AGOV access app to your smartphone.
Once the app is installed, you can start the registration process.
Click on «Start» and enter your email address.
You will receive an email with a code. Enter this code now.
Then you enter your personal details, select a login factor such as the AGOV access app, and connect the AGOV access app on your smartphone once by scanning the QR code shown here.
AGOV now shows you a recovery code.
You must store this securely, so that you can recover your AGOV account if you lose your login factors.
This completes the registration process.
You can now use your AGOV login.
AGOV is a simple and secure login.
You can find more information on the agov.ch website.