You can restore a Lightning wallet after reinstalling the BitBoxApp or changing phones by using the BitBox wallet that originally created it. If that BitBox was lost or replaced, first restore its existing wallet backup on a replacement BitBox.
If the BitBox wallet used to create the Lightning wallet had an optional passphrase, you need that exact passphrase. The BitBoxApp also needs Spark to retrieve the current Lightning wallet state. A wallet closed with Close and Withdraw Funds cannot be restored.
Never enter your wallet backup into the BitBoxApp
Restore a microSD backup or recovery words only on a genuine BitBox hardware wallet. Never enter recovery words, backup contents, an optional passphrase, a private key, password, or PIN into the BitBoxApp, a website, a chat, or a support form. BitBox Support will never ask for them.
Choose your situation
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| The Lightning wallet is only disabled in the same app installation | Follow Re-enable the same Lightning wallet. |
| You have a new phone or reinstalled the BitBoxApp | Use the original BitBox with the correct wallet open. |
| The original BitBox was lost or replaced | Restore its existing backup on a replacement BitBox first. |
| The wallet was closed with Close and Withdraw Funds | It cannot be restored. Enabling Lightning creates a new wallet. |
| Spark is unavailable | Wait for service recovery. The current BitBoxApp cannot independently retrieve all wallet state or perform a unilateral exit. |
Prepare the correct BitBox wallet
If you have the original BitBox
- Connect and unlock the original BitBox.
- If this wallet used an optional passphrase, enter that exact passphrase on the BitBox.
- Confirm that the expected on-chain accounts open in the BitBoxApp.
If you replaced the BitBox
- Restore the existing wallet backup on a genuine replacement BitBox. Enter recovery words only on the BitBox itself, or use its own microSD recovery flow.
- Connect and unlock the replacement BitBox.
- If the original wallet used an optional passphrase, enable the feature and enter the exact same passphrase on the BitBox.
- Confirm that the expected on-chain accounts open before continuing.
Restore the Lightning wallet
- Install or update the BitBoxApp on the Android or iOS device.
- Keep the prepared BitBox connected and unlocked with the correct wallet 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 restoration.
- Wait while the BitBoxApp derives the same keys, connects to Spark, and retrieves the wallet data.
- After activation, open Settings → Advanced Settings → Lightning Settings.
- Compare the wallet name and fingerprint with your private record.
Every passphrase opens a wallet
An incorrect optional passphrase does not show an error; it opens a different wallet and derives a different Lightning wallet. Stop if the fingerprint or balance is not the one you expect.
Verify the restored wallet
- The wallet name and fingerprint match the BitBox wallet used to create the Lightning wallet.
- The connection status shows that the wallet is connected.
- The expected Lightning balance and transaction history appear.
After confirming the wallet identity, balance, and history, check the current Lightning address before sharing it. Previously used names may remain reserved for this wallet, but only the address currently selected in the wallet is active. Update any place where you published an old address.
Wallet restored
Restoration is complete when the expected balance and history have returned, the fingerprint matches, and the wallet is connected.
Understand what is restored
| Recovered from the BitBox wallet | Retrieved through Spark |
|---|---|
| The deterministic Lightning wallet keys | The current balance and wallet state |
| The same Lightning identity when the same BitBox wallet and optional passphrase are used | The Lightning transaction history and operational access |
No separate Lightning recovery words are created. The existing BitBox wallet backup can recreate the linked BitBox wallet on a replacement BitBox, which can then derive the same Lightning keys. An optional passphrase is not included in the backup and must be reproduced exactly. For the technical background, see How the BitBox02 securely derives the seed for the Lightning wallet.
Notes and labels are separate local BitBoxApp data. On a new installation, they return only if you previously exported and then imported them. See Import and export wallet labels with BIP-329 in the BitBoxApp.
Restoring on another phone does not by itself make a lost or stolen phone trustworthy. If another phone may still contain the wallet, follow Protect your Lightning funds after losing a phone.
If Spark is unavailable
The BitBox or its backup can recreate the Lightning keys, but the current BitBoxApp still depends on Spark to retrieve wallet state and move funds back to Bitcoin. If Spark is unavailable:
- do not create additional wallets in an attempt to replace the expected one;
- keep the linked BitBox wallet and its backup protected;
- do not delete local wallet data from a device that may still contain the Lightning wallet; and
- wait for service recovery before trying again.
If the expected wallet does not appear
- The fingerprint is different: stop and confirm whether you opened the standard wallet or entered the exact passphrase used by the original wallet.
- The balance or history is missing: confirm that the status is connected and Spark is available before creating any new wallet.
- The previous Lightning address is not shown: do not assume it is active. First confirm the wallet fingerprint, then check the current address.
- The backup restores a different on-chain wallet: stop and verify that you used the correct backup. Do not overwrite or discard any existing backup.
Contact BitBox Support
Contact BitBox Support if the expected wallet still does not appear while Spark is available. Include the BitBoxApp version, phone operating system, BitBox model, firmware version, whether the original or a replacement BitBox is in use, displayed connection status, and exact non-sensitive error message.
Never send recovery words, backup contents, an optional passphrase, private keys, passwords, or PINs.