This guide shows you how to display your existing recovery words or restore a wallet onto your BitBox02 using a backup.

Before you begin

Handling recovery words requires maximum security. Before you start, make sure you are in a private place where no one can see your screen or what you are writing.

How to display your recovery words

Follow these steps to view the recovery words for a wallet that is already set up on your BitBox02. This is useful if you want to create a new physical backup.

1. Connect your BitBox02 and open the BitBoxApp.
2. In the BitBoxApp sidebar click Settings.
3. Then navigate to Manage device.

3. Click the Show recovery words option.

4. Read the security warning and confirm on the BitBoxApp. 

5. You will then be prompted to enter your device password on the BitBox02 itself.
6. Your 24 recovery words will be shown one by one on the BitBox02 screen. Use the touch sensors to navigate forward and backward.
7. Write each word down carefully and in the correct order. Double-check for spelling errors.
8. After displaying all the words, the BitBox02 will ask you to confirm your backup by selecting the correct word for each position from a choice of five (5) words.

How to restore a wallet from recovery words

Use these steps to load an existing wallet onto a new or factory-reset BitBox02. The BitBox02 can restore a standard backup of 12, 18, or 24 words.

1. Connect your new or reset BitBox02 to your computer and open the BitBoxApp.
2. Verify the pairing code shown in the app and on your BitBox02 to securely connect the device.

3. On the Setup your wallet screen, click the Restore from recovery words option.

4. In the next window, choose a name for your device and confirm it.

5. On your BitBox02 screen, you will be asked to confirm the device name, then check and confirm the current date and time.
6. Select the correct word count for your backup: 12, 18, or 24.
7. Enter each recovery word in the correct order directly on the BitBox02 device, using the touch sensors to select the letters.
8. After the words are confirmed, create a new, strong device password. This password protects your device from being used by someone else.
9. The BitBoxApp will synchronize your accounts, and your wallet will be ready to use.

Important notes after restoring

Restoring a wallet with a passphrase

The standard restoration process shown above only restores the wallet protected by the 24 words. It does not ask for your optional passphrase.

If you use this feature, you must re-enable it after restoring. Go to Device settings in the BitBoxApp and turn on the Optional passphrase feature. You will then be prompted to enter it on the device to access your passphrase-protected wallet. For more details, please read our guides on the optional passphrase.

Bitcoin address types

The BitBoxApp does not show balances for old Bitcoin "Legacy" addresses (starting with a 1). If your backup was from an old wallet that used these addresses, those specific funds will not appear in the BitBoxApp. The BitBoxApp fully supports modern address types like Native SegWit (starting with bc1), which we recommend using.

Wallets from other providers

If you are restoring recovery words that were generated by another wallet provider, consider it a temporary step. For maximum security, we recommend you create a brand new, secure wallet directly on your BitBox02, and then transfer your funds to this new wallet. This ensures your keys have been generated by the BitBox02's secure hardware.