It's good practice to occasionally verify that your microSD card backup is readable and to understand how to handle special cases, like multiple backups. This guide covers how to check your backup's integrity.
Before you start
- Your BitBox02.
- Your backup microSD card.
- The BitBoxApp installed on your computer. You can download it here: https://bitbox.swiss/app/
How to verify your backup
Verifying your backup ensures the file is not corrupted and can be used for a restore if needed.
- Open the BitBoxApp on your computer.
- Insert your backup microSD card into the BitBox02. Make sure the side with the text is facing up, matching the screen, and push gently until it clicks into place.
- Connect your BitBox02 to the computer.
- Unlock your BitBox02 by entering your device password.
- In the BitBoxApp, go to Settings, select the Manage device tab, and then click Manage backups.
- Click the Check backup button.
- The app will prompt you to look at your BitBox02 screen.
- Follow the instructions on the BitBox02 screen to confirm the backup name, then compare and confirm the backup ID.
- After confirming, the BitBox02 screen will show "Backup valid". The BitBoxApp will then display a "Successfully verified backup" confirmation message. Click OK.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why should I verify my backup?
Verification confirms that the backup file on the microSD card is not physically corrupted and that the BitBox02 can read it correctly. This gives you peace of mind that you can restore your wallet if you ever need to.
How often should I verify my backup?
There is no strict rule, but checking it once a year or after a significant event (like a firmware update) is good practice for ensuring long-term data integrity.
Can I have backups from two different BitBox02 devices on one card?
Yes. The BitBoxApp will display all available backups, and you can distinguish them by the name you gave them, the creation date, and their unique ID.
What happens if the backup check fails?
If the check fails, your backup may be corrupted. You should immediately create a new backup on a new, high-quality microSD card.
For maximum security, we strongly recommend having more than one type of backup. This means supplementing your microSD card with a manual backup of your 24 recovery words. You can view these words on your device screen and write them down. For detailed instructions, please see our guide: How to find your extended public key in the BitBoxApp
If you need new microSD cards, you can purchase official ones here: microSD backup cards (2-pack)