Using An Old Phone As A Hardware Wallet

Unable to purchase a Bitcoin hardware wallet? Have an old phone lying around? You can repurpose that device to be a quasi-hardware wallet until you’re able to get your hands on one! This tutorial will take you through the whole setup from start to finish, using Blue Wallet.
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[@jamesthompson3099]

I use Blue Wallet for a couple of applications but wasn't aware of that one. It is a very versatile bit of software. Thanks for pointing that out!

[@whatsapp---9756]

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[@zacha157]

interesting idea if as you said you didn't have access to a true cold wallet like a trezor etc. One additional idea would be to do a full erase and factory reset to the phone, and then delete all factory standard apps on the phone before you download Blue Wallet such that it is ideally the only app on the phone.

[@dragons10000]

Can you actually do a full erase on a samsung for example? There's preinstalled apps and other services which could be prove hard to delete.

[@Geaxuce]

​@@dragons10000this would be good to know. I tried deleting google from my old phone and other Samsung apps but if I remember correctly, some of the services couldn't actually be taken off. I'm not techy in the slightest so maybe it's just me.

[@paulogustavodefreitascastr8875]

@@dragons10000 Almost full. Another option: make a hard reset and after that delete spy apps with "adb"

[@thaidude]

I use AirGap wallet on my old/reset/offline smartphone for sometimes now. Much easier than hardware wallet. Don't know that Bluewallet support this functionality too. Thank man.

[@christopheralaimo6504]

Time Stamps 0:00 - 4:10 - Intro / Sponsors 4:10 - 6:02 - Prerequisites 6:02 - 10:42 - Initial Setup (Old Phone) 10:42 - 13:08 - Initial Setup Continued (New/Online Phone) 13:08 - 15:16 - Receiving Transactions 15:16 - 21:41 - Signing & Sending Transactions 21:41 - 27:05 - Final Thoughts 27:05 - 28:29 - Outro

[@Aniket-n6c]

Thanks bro

[@JamesClifford1]

Another great video! A low cost interim solution for those who do not understand how valuable Bitcoin really is. It also introduces the concept of Airgap and PSBT to people.

[@antoniocouto7092]

Thanks for the video. After Ledger show to the world that with a firmware update they can copy the private key of secure element, any solution that not is using air gap like Trezor or others for instance is doomed. I think the ideal today is coldcard and jade (without blind oracle of course) and seed sign open source project. I think you need to buy a new phone for cold wallet and never, never put this phone connected to internet or bluetooth. I Think this solution is more safe than to trust in a company that one day force you to upgrade the firmware and add to that, the secure element is total closed black box. The Blue Wallet and Electrum Wallet are great open source projects for that.

[@ryanwright1120]

Very cool !- I love the option cuz I know so many people with a cell laying around

[@whatsapp---9756]

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[@vkarast]

Very useful! Similar configuration: airgap wallet with airgap vault in the offline device

[@whatsapp---9756]

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[@MRnostate]

Why is this less secure than a hardware wallet IF the phone is kept completely offline? Wouldn't this be safer then a hardware wallet that is not fully air gapped and interacting with a computer through USB?

[@thaidude]

Actually hardware wallet is kinda obvious for theft. 🤣

[@paulogustavodefreitascastr8875]

Good point. As long as phone was online, you have a risk(malware), even generating the seed offline. This is the idea. I dont know if I agree with him.

[@dodomirdodov6231]

I have a question, in case I lose the phone, how do I recover this watch only wallet. Тhanks.

[@kotgc7987]

Is there a DIY USB or phone cold wallet that accepts LN. How does the cold offline wallet receive funds without a hot online connection?

[@remusyee]

This is so cool. Thank you so much

[@whatsapp---9756]

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[@coonea1]

Sadly this doesn't work for my old phones... I was trying to use an old S5 with android 6.0.1. This is too old and not compatible with any wallet software I have tried so far. Maybe next I'll try to find a download for an earlier version of Blue?

[@jasonjason8639]

I like the part and this is your btc session

[@whatsapp---9756]

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[@cocoardo4394]

This is not a cold wallet. Ransomeware could easily still make a internet connection. Without you even noticing it. Or bluetooth, or nearbyshare or NFC

[@BTCSessions]

I discuss the risks at the end. This setup would be only if you don't have hardware but prefer something *more offline than a hot wallet. It's a possible temporary solution until you get something better.

[@SHOTCALLA442]

A hardware wallet does not protect you from malware. The moment you connect and sign a transaction w your ledger your wallet gets drained

[@AK-ox3mv]

Is there any other wallet that have this feature for other coins?

[@sgill4833]

Why wouldn't you de Google the device first and just use the phone itself with Tor. And offline when not in use. Dont install anything else

[@GOLDBULLION9999]

Can you please explain how the blue wallet generated Seed phrase since it is not connected to the internet?

[@TheMuso28]

BTC Sessions has made videos about manually creating a new wallet, and the process does not involve the internet. I cannot remember the video titles now, but I suggest having a search back through his videos to find them.

[@BTCSessions]

All wallets are generated from random numbers - no connection to the internet necessary! Take a look back at my video called "Permissionless Bitcoin Wallets" - it shows creating a wallet with dice and math!

[@williamu9175]

Ben I'm planning to have multiple accounts (friend's & family's). How do I secure them all in watch wallets (in my 2nd phone) & can I only have 1 cold wallet? Currently I have fake account to set up & practice. Thx

[@bluefuzecom]

would this essentially function similar to a SeedSigner device?

[@whatsapp---9756]

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[@xiaotuli4614]

In somewhat similar but with differences like seedsigner doesn’t store any data and especially doesnt store your seed

[@jeffp9889]

Good idea way above me. Maybe after I get my MBA in crypto!

[@mskmsk7174]

JUMP 5 MINUTES AHEAD TO GET PAST ALL THE ADVERTS.

[@sv6k0a39]

Step 1 should have been factory resetting the old phone.

[@LIVE_FOR_TRUTH86]

It is only for bitcoin

[@hermanedwards1981]

Can you use an unlocked phone

[@swaaalla]

The cat sounds hungry

[@whatsapp---9756]

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[@rydmerlin]

Old phones eventually lose their ability to be updated and hence security vulnerabilities are no longer addressed.

[@TheMuso28]

In addition, IOS devices from the iPhone 5s through the iPhone X have a boot loader exploit, that allows a tethered jailbreak using the checkra1n app.

[@terloriaslolx3869]

Then use it without Wi-Fi

[@BTCSessions]

Yes, this is not a permanent solution. Keep the thing offline and realize that physical access from an attacker can be game over.

[@SillyMonkeysLikeApples]

it would not matter if you keep the phone offline, only way to hack you would be to get the physical device, i am much more confident on keep it in my home and not letting it burn or water splashed or something weird

[@win-bk8cn]

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[@win-bk8cn]

‌I advise investors trading for the first time to work with someone like Mrs Renatha Alves

[@janeharley7589]

‌I would like to try trading some of my crypto holding, how can I reach Mrs Renatha Alves

[@paulgarcia2829]

[@janeharley7589]

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[@sobohobo12123]

Revisiting this after the Ledger fiasco unfolding right now. Seems like an advantage of this is you aren't exposed to a hardware wallet's firmware updates that might introduce back doors.

[@PlustaxApex]

Same, I am here looking for alternatives after the whole thing with Ledger. I don't necessarily want to rush into getting a Trezor, because there is nothing stopping them from doing the same thing in the future per se.

[@thinkingoutloud3757]

Came to this video thinking on the phone idea, but I already made my pick to drop Ledger: ordered a Keystone Wallet. It's on sale right now, too.

[@richardskead1]

@@PlustaxApex ive been looking at these phone wallets there is another called airgap , these seem very good , who do we trust these days

[@MatoNupai]

I don’t like Trezor, don’t want to trust Ledger. Don’t want to remove micro SD card with Cold Card. With multiple failed debit and credit cards with chips that failed hesitant to trust Tangem wallet. So I use an old iPhone

[@drippy2trippy_official]

Do you use this cold wallet from the video on your old phone or a different one also if you use this one how is it is it actually really good and super easy to use and is it compatible with way more different tokens or only bitcoin

[@vladyslavats]

Please share your way, which apps you are using, are you also using two phones as shown in this video? I would like to do the same, please advise

[@MatoNupai]

@@vladyslavats sure. I'm using the Trust hot wallet on my old iphone SE. It has no SIM card and no access to the internet. If you like you can set the phone in airplane mode. I see no need to do that since the phone has no SIM and the phone is turned off When I need to make a transaction I turn it on connect to the private Wi-fi. As soon as the transaction is made I disconnect from the Wi-Fi turn the phone off, and I'm only connected to the internet for 60-90 seconds. The phone with my wallet is left at home under lock and key It May not be as secure as a Cold Card. Ledger,, or Trezor but it's a very good second best option. I no longer trust Ledger, and my poor eyesight prevents me from using almost all other cold wallets. The Tangem wallet is interesting. I just don't trust the chips in the cards. In past 18 months I have had 8 debit card stop working because of the stupid chips

[@MatoNupai]

@@drippy2trippy_official I use the Trust hot wallet. It’s on an old phone. The phone is kept under lock and key. Phone has no SIM CARD, and NO INTERNET ACCESS When I need to make a transaction Boot up the phone Log into private Wi-Fi Make the transaction Turn off the Wi-fi and put the phone away There’s a SLIGHT risk from being online 60-90 seconds to make the transaction but THATS IT.

[@KoryRude]

Interim solution as SUCH is very Needed by bitcoiner as we are surprised some days with gains and know not to hold on exchange but also Need interim signing device....as a new Airgapped phone or used..... BRAVO...........Bitcoin Satisfactions.

[@TRETA79]

Great video Ben! Can this setup be used as one of the devices for a multisig wallet on sparrow? Thanks for all the great videos!

[@mcmutlu]

This seems to be a great solution if you are just going to hodl bitcoin.

[@jakajak1991]

How do you update the phone software & firmware?

[@cheesecake7671]

Would do this as a multisig for added protection.

[@whatsapp---9756]

ᴡʜᴀᴛꜱᴀᴘᴘ ᴍᴇ 🔝📥

[@karmaphuntsho9711]

I have followed your Blue Wallet instructions. However when I am trying to send BTC to another wallet I get this error message "Cannot read property 'broadcastTx' of undefined" What am I doing wrong? By the way your contents are fab

[@reclee8333]

Are there other hot wallets that support BTC or multiple cryptocurrencies which can be used this way(1 signing device - 1 hot wallet)?

[@gopalvora789]

This is paradoxical. Bitcoin is digital and we are trying to hide it from digital world 😢😢😮😮😂😂😊😊

[@gopalvora789]

What if i memorise seed and pubic address to receive. I only receive Bitcoin, no spending. 😊

[@toropocho]

Can the same be done with Sparrow Wallet and two computers? It would be great to see a tutorial of that!

[@MatoNupai]

I wouldn’t use a cold card wallet if my LIFE depended on it

[@previncoin8592]

Can you install Blue Wallet via side chain on the offline phone?

[@cryptohubr]

Is there any similar wallet for altcoins ?

[@janzaruba]

Does anyone have an overview of which other wallets support this feature please?

[@MatoNupai]

I use Trust wallet on an old iPhone SE

[@WorldMover]

This is amazing

[@ricky8alta]

Ben, come on over to nostr, there will be tons of Zaps ⚡️ for your content

[@elliestarrco]

Hey BTC Session. If I lose the password that allows access to the offline phone, can I recover it on another offline phone since I know the keys?

[@gopalvora789]

I have the same question. But I think you should be able to recover it with the seed phrase which you have saved while creating a wallet in an old phone.

[@AdamCanFly]

Thanks for the awesome video! I have a question. If you plan on HODLING long term, would it be better to just keep your key phrase somewhere safe and not have a wallet anywhere? I’ve been thinking you could just create new wallets to deposit to, then take them offline and store the key phrase when they reach a certain amount. Does that make sense?

[@vkarast]

Yeah! If you don't plan to use your Btc anytime soon, you can just generate a seed phrase in an offline device, make some paper backups, keep your public address for receiving and then delete the wallet app from the device and wipe the device. Then you just have the address and the key phrase only in paper. Not a bad configuration if you want a reeeeaally cold storage ;)

[@whatsapp---9756]

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[@charlieballantry5971]

@@vkarast I recommend stamping the seed phrases on Titanium, not storing them on paper.

[@coonea1]

I'm surprised people don't mention this more! I prefer this method. My long term wallet is not connected to any device. Also, a fun way to gift crypto is to create a wallet and put some money on it and gift the seed phrase. It forces the receiver to get comfortable with wallets and it's cheaper than a gift card.

[@gopalvora789]

Well I am going to do exactly like this. Storing only seed and that's all.

[@appifysheets7973]

This was helpful, thank you. As someone interested in protecting my funds with Multisig, I'm thinking of creating a Multisig setup with two wallets - one on an old phone and another on a Tails linux. Would you be willing to create a tutorial for how to create two offline wallets with two different software, like Sparrow, Electrum or Blue wallet on Android and on Tails linux and use them in a Multisig setup together with a watch-only wallet on an Android or iPhone? Thanks 🙂 - Petre

[@onLYbyM]

Two offline hardware wallets? Thats overkill my friend. Careful with that.

[@LIVE_FOR_TRUTH86]

Very nice love you so much

[@ricky8alta]

"price restraints" 😁

[@5communist]

You can keep only bitcoin adress and send there bitcoins . Dont install any wallets . 😂 its can be your best cold save .

[@xiaotuli4614]

Bitcoin adress is public, don’t need to save it in a cold storage

[@5communist]

@@xiaotuli4614 yes , and you can send BTC there without app.

[@dragons10000]

What about grapheneos?

[@whatsapp---9756]

ᴡʜᴀᴛꜱᴀᴘᴘ ᴍᴇ 🔝📥

[@trakkaholikk2095]

sir have you heard about ordinals nft? do you know how to it?

[@terloriaslolx3869]

Yea I do you just turn around and use ethereum NFT sir

[@DanielDeMontreal]

@@terloriaslolx3869 agreed. Let's keep spam off the bitcoin blockchain and direct it to shitcoin chains.

[@poplop1346]

Great video thx

[@whatsapp---9756]

ᴡʜᴀᴛꜱᴀᴘᴘ ᴍᴇ 🔝📥

[@theantil7]

In order of quality, can anyone tell me where they'd rank: Coldcard, Blockstream Jade and phone hardware wallet? Because a Coldcard has a nice brand to it, but it's worth two Jades. And I can hardly afford one (1) Jade hahaha (third world country problems). But if it need be, I'd have to buy either one if it's really necessary lol

[@whatsapp---9756]

ᴡʜᴀᴛꜱᴀᴘᴘ ᴍᴇ 🔝📥

[@copycatt2579]

You have them in the correct order. But the jade does everything 99% of people need so no need to get a cold card.

[@fostee1]

Cold card sucks. Overpriced and low quality. Won’t support broken devices. Avoid

[@theantil7]

@@fostee1 what do you mean by broken?

[@fostee1]

@@theantil7 sd card slot on pcb doesn’t line up with enclosure so you can break the card trying to get it in the device. Plus NFC chip not working. Avoid my friend! Shit quality

[@audiosystemb8448]

No. You shouldn’t use any wallet app. Can you prove to me that the Blue Wallet has not PRE-GENERATED 1 billion wallets, so you are using one of them? You can't. There is another better, and more safe way to do it.

[@xiaotuli4614]

It’s open source and reproductible. You don’t know what you are talking about

[@copycatt2579]

It doesn’t matter if they generated 1 billion wallets. Because that is such a tiny tiny tiny tiny amount compared to how many wallets there are. You have a wayyyyyy better chance of winning the lotto then they would have to get a wallet being used by someone else.

[@experiment54]

@@copycatt2579and yet someone wins the lottery somewhere everyday

[@kevinlywa]

Could you please elaborate on what is the better, more safe way to do this?

[@audiosystemb8448]

@@copycatt2579 "They have pre-generated 1 billion addresses, that ALL will ONLY be USED in the future within the wallet." What about that?

[@hearliam]

Wish I knew this before I spent $200 on a cold wallet.

[@TheMuso28]

Unless phone vendors allow storing bitcoin keys in the phone's secure element/enclave, a hardware wallet is still the better option.

[@BTCSessions]

I wouldn't use this as a permanent solution. No secure element makes someone getting physical access more of a problem.

[@richardskead1]

@@BTCSessions what do you think about paper wallet saftey

[@copycatt2579]

@@richardskead1according to Andreas anatoloposisbeidicjeheid, paper wallets shouldn’t be used anymore. They are an unsafe and obsolete

[@experiment54]

@@BTCSessionsyou could use a password vault like keepass and store your seed in there. Locked with a strong password. Delete the wallet after each use and restore wallet each time by getting seed out of password manager… or just lock BlueWallet with a long password. Phone locked with password, BlueWallet locked with different password. Seems secure?

[@irssux]

4 minutes in and you havent even started. Im out.

[@ddljddlj704]

All that for losing 80% value in couple of months. Buttcoiners disbelief

[@BTCSessions]

Moisturized and unbothered over here. I live on Bitcoin.

[@ddljddlj704]

@@BTCSessions a complete lie

[@BTCSessions]

@@ddljddlj704 that I live on Bitcoin? That I'm unbothered? OK. Believe whatever you like and have a wonderful life.