sdfsdffIn some situations, you should move your funds from your current wallet to a newly created one.
This is especially important if your wallet may be compromised.
Common reasons include:
- Your recovery words may have been exposed
- Your backup was stored digitally or insecurely
- You entered your recovery words on a website or computer
- Someone else may have seen your recovery words
- You want to improve your security setup (e.g. new recovery words or passphrase)
You lost your microSD card backup and don’t know where it is
A microSD backup is not protected by a password.
Anyone with access to the card and basic technical knowledge can extract your recovery words.
If you lost your microSD card and cannot locate it, you should treat your wallet as compromised and move your funds immediately.
Learn more:
Why microSD backups should not be encrypted by default
If you only have one BitBox02, the process requires switching between your old and new wallet.
Important prerequisites
Before you start, make sure you have a working backup of your current wallet.
You must have at least one of the following
- a microSD card backup, or
- your recovery words written down (analog backup)
Ideally you have both.
ℹ️ Info
A microSD backup allows faster restoration.
However, an analog backup is essential and should always exist independently.
⚠️ Warning
Do not reset your device without a valid backup.
You will permanently lose access to your funds.
Step 1 — Verify your wallet backup
Before proceeding:
- Make sure you can access your recovery words or microSD backup
- Ensure the backup belongs to the wallet that holds your funds
You will need this backup later to restore your wallet.
Step 2 — Create a new wallet
- Perform a factory reset of your BitBox02
→ - Initialize the device as a new wallet
- The device will generate new recovery words
⚠️ Danger
Never store recovery words digitally (e.g. screenshots, cloud storage, notes apps).
Always store them offline and privately.
Step 3 — Create backups of the new wallet
Immediately create backups of your new wallet.
Recommended setup:
- microSD backup
- analog backup (paper or steel)
→ How to set up your BitBox02 with a microSD backup
✔️ Success
You now have a new wallet secured by new recovery words.
Step 4 — Verify a receiving address from the new wallet
While still in your new wallet:
- Open the receive screen in the BitBoxApp
- Verify the address on the BitBox02 device display
- Copy the address and store it temporarily
→ How to receive Bitcoin using the BitBoxApp and BitBox02
ℹ️ Info
Always verify addresses on the device, not only in the app.
Step 5 — Restore your old wallet
Now switch back to your original wallet:
- Perform another factory reset
- Restore your wallet using:
- microSD backup, or
- recovery words
After restoring, your balances will appear again.
Step 6 — Send funds to your new wallet
- Open the send screen in the BitBoxApp
- Paste the receiving address from your new wallet
- Send your funds
Wait for confirmation.
✔️ Success
Your funds are now secured by your new wallet and recovery words.
Step 7 — Restore your new wallet again
To continue using the new wallet:
- Perform another factory reset.
- Restore the new wallet using:
- the microSD backup, or
- the new recovery words.
After restoring, confirm that:
- the transaction arrived
- your funds appear correctly in the BitBoxApp
Your migration is now complete.
Optional: Using a passphrase for additional security
When creating your new wallet, you may consider using a passphrase.
A passphrase creates an additional hidden wallet derived from your recovery words.
This means:
- recovery words alone are not enough to access the funds
- the correct passphrase is also required
Learn more:
Optional passphrase
⚠️ Warning
If you forget your passphrase, the funds cannot be recovered.
Easier alternatives
Using two BitBox02 devices
If you own two devices:
- keep the old wallet on one
- create the new wallet on the other
- send funds directly
This avoids repeated resets.
Alternatives for advanced users
Using Sparrow Wallet or Electrum
Advanced users may also use external wallet software such as:
This allows you to send funds without repeatedly restoring wallets on the BitBox02.
However, this method requires importing the recovery words of your old wallet into the software wallet, which temporarily reduces the security of that wallet.
Because of this, this method should only be used if:
- you are familiar with Sparrow or Electrum
- you need to move funds quickly
- you believe the wallet may already be compromised
In this case the general process is:
- Create a new wallet on the BitBox02 and make backups.
- Keep the new wallet active on the device.
- Import the old wallet recovery words into Sparrow or Electrum.
- Send the funds from the software wallet to the new BitBox02 receiving address.
This approach is recommended only for advanced users.
FAQ
Do I need to move funds if my recovery words were exposed?
Yes.
Anyone with your recovery words can access your funds.
Move them immediately to a new wallet.
Can I reuse a receiving address?
Yes, but it is not recommended.
Using new addresses improves privacy.
What happens if I lose the new recovery words?
If the new recovery words are lost, the funds in the new wallet cannot be recovered.
Always keep backups in secure locations.
Why does this process require multiple factory resets?
When using only one BitBox02, the device can hold only one wallet at a time.
Therefore you must switch between the old wallet and the new wallet during the transfer process.
Is it safe to store recovery words digitally?
No.
Recovery words must always be stored offline and never digitally.