Adding new accounts in the BitBoxApp is a great way to organize your funds for different purposes, such as "Savings" or "Trading." A key feature is that you can create multiple accounts for the same cryptocurrency without ever needing to make a new backup. Your single set of recovery words secures them all.

How to add a new account

Creating multiple accounts for the same cryptocurrency is simple and doesn't require a new backup. All accounts you create are secured by your single wallet backup (your recovery words).

1. Open the BitBoxApp and connect your BitBox02.
2. Unlock your BitBox02 using your device password.
3. Click on "Settings" in the bottom-left corner of the sidebar.
4. Select the "Manage accounts" tab at the top.
5. Click the + Add account button.

6. Now choose the cryptocurrency (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin) for the new account and confirm.

7. In the BitBoxApp, give the account a descriptive name, like My BTC Savings.
8. Click the Add account button to confirm.

9. Your new account will now appear in the left-hand sidebar of the BitBoxApp, ready to use.

 

Troubleshooting

An account is missing after restoring from backup

If you restore your wallet from a backup and don't see an account you expect, there is no need to worry. Your funds are safe. This usually happens for one of two reasons: either a different wallet was opened by mistake, or the BitBoxApp just needs to be prompted to find your account.

First, verify you opened the correct wallet

Before trying anything else, confirm you have restored from the correct backup. This is the most common reason for accounts appearing to be "missing."

• Recovery words: Make sure you entered the correct set of 24 recovery words from your backup.
• Passphrase: The optional passphrase feature adds an extra word or phrase to your recovery words. If you use this feature, you must enter the passphrase perfectly.

If the wallet is correct, manually add the account

Once you are certain you have opened the correct wallet, the next step is to prompt the BitBoxApp to find your account.

The BitBoxApp automatically detects accounts that have a transaction history. However, if an account has not been used, you may need to add it manually.

To find your missing account, simply follow the same steps you used to create it: go to Settings > Manage accounts and click + Add account. The BitBoxApp will then search for the next account in sequence. Repeat this process until your missing account appears.

How automatic account discovery works

When you restore your wallet, the BitBoxApp scans your accounts in order and automatically adds any that have a balance or transaction history. Accounts that were never used and hold no balance are not restored automatically—they still exist but are simply hidden until you add them manually.

For example, imagine you have four Bitcoin accounts:

• Account 1: 0.5 BTC
• Account 2: Empty, but used before
• Account 3: Empty, never used
• Account 4: 0.1 BTC

After restoring, the BitBoxApp will automatically display Account 1, Account 2, and Account 4. Account 3 will remain hidden. To see it, you need to add it manually by going to Settings > Manage accounts and clicking + Add account. The BitBoxApp will then find Account 3.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a new backup after adding an account? 

No. All of your accounts—past, present, and future—are mathematically derived from your single set of recovery words. You never need to create a new backup when you add an account.

If I add an account, is it stored on my computer? 

No. For your privacy and security, the BitBoxApp does not store your account information on your computer. The app simply finds and displays your accounts each time you use it.

Do I have to name the accounts exactly the same as before?

No. You can rename re-added accounts however you wish. Account names are just local labels inside the BitBoxApp and don’t affect your balance or transaction history. You can learn more about {managing wallet labels (BIP-329)}.