How do I upgrade my Bitkey?

To upgrade your Bitkey device, you’ll need:

• The Bitkey app
• Your existing Bitkey device
• Your new Bitkey device.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: This process requires your existing Bitkey device. If you no longer have it, do not start the upgrade.

You can still recover your wallet using a new device, but you’ll need to follow a different process:
👉 See How do I recover from losing / replacing my Bitkey hardware device once I have my new one?

⚠️ Before you start:

• You can’t begin the upgrade if you have any pending transactions. Wait until all transactions are confirmed.
• Once you authorize the upgrade with your existing device, the process must be completed and cannot be cancelled.

Start the upgrade

1. Tap the shield icon to open the Security hub
2. Tap Bitkey device
3. Tap Upgrade device, then follow the on-screen instructions

Set up your new device

1. Touch the fingerprint sensor to wake your new Bitkey device
2. Hold your new Bitkey device to your phone to get started. Make sure you’re holding your device in the correct position.
   👉 See How do I connect my Bitkey device with my phone?
3. Follow the prompts to enroll your fingerprint. If prompted to review information on your Bitkey, follow the instructions on your device, then hold it to your phone again to continue.

Authorize the upgrade

1. Hold your existing, unlocked Bitkey device to your phone to authorize the upgrade
2. Hold your new, unlocked Bitkey device to your phone. When prompted to review information on your Bitkey, follow the instructions on your device, then hold it to your phone again to complete verification. 
   • You may need to confirm multiple actions. Follow the instructions on your phone and your Bitkey device.

Move your funds

Bitkey will check your wallet and guide you through the next step automatically.

• If your wallet has no balance
  • Your cloud backup will update automatically, and you’ll see a confirmation that your upgrade is complete.
• If your balance is too low to cover network fees
  • You’ll see a message in the app explaining that your balance is too low to move funds. Your funds will remain in your previous wallet and can be moved later when network fees are lower or you add more bitcoin.   
  • Your cloud backup will still update automatically, and your upgrade will complete.
• If your wallet has more than 200 UTXOs
  • You’ll need to consolidate your UTXOs before continuing.
  • Tap Continue and follow the prompts
  • You’ll need to consolidate until you have fewer than 200 total UTXOs
  • Once your transactions are confirmed, return to the upgrade flow
• If your wallet has funds (and fewer than 200 UTXOs)
  • Review the estimated network fee
  • Tap Send
  • Approve the transaction using your existing (original) Bitkey device

Finish the upgrade

Your cloud backup will update automatically. When you see that your upgrade is complete, tap Done. Your new Bitkey wallet is ready to use.