You can disable a Lightning wallet without withdrawing or deleting its funds, then re-enable the same wallet later. You can also switch to the Lightning wallet derived from another BitBox wallet. Only one Lightning wallet can be active in a BitBoxApp installation at a time.
Choose the correct action
| What you want to do | Action | What happens to the funds |
|---|---|---|
| Pause sending and receiving | Disable the Lightning wallet | The funds stay in that Lightning wallet. |
| Use the disabled wallet again | Re-enable it with the originating BitBox wallet | The same balance and history return after reconnection. |
| Use a Lightning wallet derived from another BitBox wallet | Disable the active wallet, then enable the other one | Each Lightning wallet keeps its own balance. |
| Move the remaining balance to Bitcoin and end this wallet | Close and withdraw | The funds are sent to Bitcoin and the closed wallet cannot be restored. |
Identify the originating wallet
While Lightning is active, open Settings → Advanced Settings → Lightning Settings. The wallet name and fingerprint identify the BitBox wallet that derived this Lightning wallet. Check them before disabling or switching.
This is especially important when optional passphrases are in use. The standard wallet and every exact optional passphrase open different wallets and can therefore derive different Lightning wallets. An incorrect passphrase does not show an error; it opens a different wallet.
You may privately record a clear wallet name with its fingerprint. Do not record an optional passphrase beside the wallet backup. A fingerprint cannot spend funds, but it is wallet-identifying information and should not be shared unnecessarily.
A passphrase does not protect ordinary Lightning payments
A passphrase-protected BitBox wallet can derive its own Lightning wallet, but the Lightning spending keys are still stored on the phone. Ordinary Lightning payments are not confirmed on the BitBox.
Disable the Lightning wallet
Disabling disconnects the wallet from Spark. You cannot send or receive with it while disabled, but its funds are not withdrawn or deleted. You do not need to connect the BitBox.
- Open Settings → Advanced Settings → Lightning Settings.
- Select Disable Lightning Wallet.
- Read the explanation, then select the confirmation checkbox.
- Select Shut Down Lightning Wallet.
- Wait until the BitBoxApp shows that Lightning is no longer active.
Stop sharing payment requests or the wallet's Lightning address while it is disabled.
Re-enable the same Lightning wallet
- Connect and unlock the BitBox that contains the originating wallet.
- If it uses an optional passphrase, enter the exact same passphrase on the BitBox.
- Confirm that the expected BitBox wallet is open.
- Open Settings → Advanced Settings.
- Select Enable Lightning Wallet, read the information and disclaimer, then agree and continue.
- When the BitBox displays Create Lightning Wallet on host device, confirm only if you initiated this action.
- After activation, open Settings → Advanced Settings → Lightning Settings.
- Confirm the wallet name, fingerprint, connected status, balance, and transaction history.
Wallet re-enabled
The wallet is ready when the expected balance and history have returned, its fingerprint matches, and the connection status shows that it is connected.
Switch to another Lightning wallet
- Record the name and fingerprint of the currently active Lightning wallet.
- Disable it using the procedure above. Its balance remains in that wallet.
- Open the other BitBox wallet. If it uses an optional passphrase, enter that exact passphrase on the BitBox.
- Open Settings → Advanced Settings and select Enable Lightning Wallet.
- If this BitBox wallet already derived a Lightning wallet, follow the prompts to reconnect it. Otherwise, approve creation of a new one on the BitBox.
- Once active, open Lightning Settings and confirm the wallet name and fingerprint.
To return to the previous wallet, disable the active wallet and repeat the process with the previous BitBox wallet. Creating several Lightning wallets does not improve the security of their funds.
If the expected wallet does not appear
- Compare the displayed fingerprint with your private record.
- Confirm whether you opened the standard wallet or a passphrase-protected wallet.
- If a passphrase is used, enter the exact passphrase belonging to the expected wallet.
- Do not add funds when the displayed fingerprint is not the one you expect.
- After reinstalling the app or replacing a device, follow Restore your BitBoxApp Lightning wallet on a new device.
Contact BitBox Support
Contact BitBox Support if you still cannot identify or reconnect the expected wallet. Include the BitBoxApp version, BitBox model, firmware version, expected action, displayed non-sensitive status, and exact error message.
Never send recovery words, backup contents, an optional passphrase, private keys, passwords, or PINs.