Wiping the Bitkey hardware device so it can be safely discarded, given away or returned will remove and disassociate the Hardware Key from the existing key set from which it was paired.
WARNING: If you wipe a Bitkey hardware device, the associated hardware key will be erased, disassociating it from the Bitkey wallet it was previously paired with. After the wipe, the device will no longer be usable for wallet-related actions, such as approving transactions, recovery, or accessing the Emergency Access Kit. If you lose access to your Mobile Key before setting up a new Hardware Key, you risk permanently losing access to your wallet and any current or future funds sent to it.
To wipe your Bitkey hardware device, follow the steps below:
If you can access the setting menu in the Bitkey app:
- From the Bitkey app Home Screen, go to
Settings
- Select
Bitkey Device > Wipe device
- Bitkey will advise you that you will be permanently wiping your device and with some suggestions on how to not permanently lose access to your funds. Select Scan your Bitkey to continue
- If there are spendable funds in your wallet, you will need to transfer those funds to another wallet. Follow the on-screen prompts to transfer / send your funds, and then return to Step 1 to start the wipe process over again.
- If the Bitkey hardware device you are trying to wipe is no longer associated with your wallet (ie, you have performed a hardware recovery and have paired a new device to your phone), you will see an informational screen. Once you confirm that this is the device you want to wipe, select Wipe device to continue.
- There are risks associated with wiping your hardware device. You will be asked to acknowledge these risks by tapping on the checkbox next to each one. Once you have agreed to these risks, select Wipe device
- This device can no longer be used to access funds in your Bitkey wallet
- This device can no longer be used to recover access to your Bitkey wallet if you lose your phone
- Bitkey will warn you that wiping your device is permanent and cannot be undone. Select Scan and Wipe.
- When the device wipe has completed, select Done to be redirected to the Bitkey app Home Screen.
If you can't access the settings menu from the Bitkey app:
- Launch the Bitkey app.
- If you don’t have the Bitkey app installed on your phone, see How do I download the Bitkey app to my phone?
- Select More options > Wipe an existing device
- Bitkey will advise you that you will be permanently wiping your device and with some suggestions on how to not permanently lose access to your funds. Select Scan your Bitkey to continue
- If there are spendable funds in your wallet, you will need to transfer those funds to another wallet. Follow the on-screen prompts to transfer / send your funds, and then return to Step 1 to start the wipe process over again.
- If the Bitkey hardware device you are trying to wipe is no longer associated with your wallet (ie, you have performed a hardware recovery and have paired a new device to your phone), you will see an informational screen. Once you confirm that this is the device you want to wipe, select Wipe device to continue.
- There are risks associated with wiping your hardware device. You will be asked to acknowledge these risks by tapping on the checkbox next to each one. Once you have agreed to these risks, select Wipe device
- This device can no longer be used to access funds in your Bitkey wallet
- This device can no longer be used to recover access to your Bitkey wallet if you lose your phone
- Bitkey will warn you that wiping your device is permanent and cannot be undone. Select Scan and Wipe.
- When the device wipe has completed, select Done to be redirected to the Bitkey app Home Screen.