How to Adjust the Gap Limit in the BitBoxApp

Table of Contents

When should I adjust the gap limit? Before you begin How to adjust the gap limit (recommended method) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) How high should I set the gap limit? Is adjusting the gap limit safe? Will I lose Bitcoin if it was sent to an address beyond the original gap limit? Does this also affect change addresses?

This guide shows you how to adjust the address gap limit directly in the BitBoxApp.
It’s the recommended method for most users and does not require any command line steps.

Increasing the gap limit can help the BitBoxApp detect funds that were sent to addresses far ahead in your address list — which can happen if the wallet was used in other software that generated many unused addresses or handled address creation differently.

When should I adjust the gap limit?

Adjusting the gap limit is helpful only if:

Your BitBoxApp shows an incorrect balance, or
Some transactions are missing, especially after a wallet recovery, or
You used this wallet previously in software that generated many unused addresses.

By increasing the gap limit, you instruct the BitBoxApp to scan further ahead on the blockchain to detect these funds.

Before you begin

Download the latest BitBoxApp from the official BitBox website.
Or get it from the BitBoxApp GitHub releases page:

Gap-limit customization is available starting from app version 4.49 and newer.
No restart or app shutdown is required before adjusting the settings.

How to adjust the gap limit (recommended method)

Open the BitBoxApp
Go to Settings → Advanced Settings
Select “Custom gap limit settings”

Adjust the gap limits
1. You can change:
  1. Receive address gap limit (default: 20)
  2. Change address gap limit (default: 6)

Start with a value such as 50. You can increase it step-by-step if needed.
A “Reset to default” option is available at any time.

Confirm your changes
Restart the BitBoxApp

After restarting, the BitBoxApp rescans your accounts using the updated limits.

If the balance is still not correct, try a higher number (e.g., 100 or 200).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How high should I set the gap limit?

Start with 50. If the balance does not update correctly, close the BitBoxApp and try 100, then 200, if needed.

Is adjusting the gap limit safe?

Yes. It is safe. This action does not change, remove, or modify any private keys or transactions. It only changes how far the BitBoxApp scans for existing funds.

Will I lose Bitcoin if it was sent to an address beyond the original gap limit?

No. Your funds are always on the blockchain and secured by your recovery words.

Increasing the gap limit simply helps the wallet software to discover them.

Does this also affect change addresses?

Yes. The BitBoxApp has separate gap limits for receive and change addresses, both configurable in the same menu.