A BIP39 passphrase is an optional, advanced feature that allows you to add additional words or characters to your recovery phrase in order to create an entirely separate wallet than the one accessed with your recovery phrase alone. Entering two different passphrases will lead to two different valid wallets, even though both may share the exact same recovery phrase.
For example:
- Recovery phrase A: (arrow garment kite ..... seminar actual genuine) + Passphrase B: (bitcoin) = Wallet X
- Recovery phrase A: (arrow garment kite ..... seminar actual genuine) + Passphrase C: (bitcoins) = Wallet Y
Warning: This feature should only be used by those who fully understand its implications as using a passphrase can greatly increase the risk of lost funds due to user error.
Using a Passphrase
1.
In order to be prompted by Jade to enter a passphrase during login or setup, select Options on the main menu before a wallet is active and select BIP39 Passphrase.
2.
Select Frequency to change when you would like Jade to prompt you for a passphrase:
- Disabled: You will not be prompted for a passphrase during login.
- Next Login Only: You will be prompted for a passphrase only during the next login event via PIN or temporary access. You will need to navigate to this menu for every passphrase session, however this option will conceal the fact that you use a passphrase.
- Always Ask: The passphrase entry screen will appear during every login event.
3.
Select Method to change how you would to enter your passphrase:
- Manual: A keyboard will appear that allows you to enter specific characters, one-by-one. This option is the standard for most hardware devices and provides the option to use uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and more special characters.
- WordList: This entry method is designed for faster entry of higher entropy, long passphrases that are based on the BIP39 wordlist. A random series of these words can be chosen as a passphrase and Jade will recommend BIP39 word options as you begin typing, which greatly speeds up the entry process. Passphrases using this method are easier to remember and can be typed faster than similarly secure, manual entry ASCII passphrases.
Tip: The WordList method will automatically build your passphrase using the following format: lowercaseBIP39word + <space> + lowercaseBIP39word + <space> + lowercaseBIP39word and so on (for example: "satoshi abandon guard"). Passphrases are case-sensitive and spaces count as well, so this is important to remember if you want to enter your passphrase with Manual entry or using another hardware wallet. If you are not exactly sure of how the WordList method works, we recommend using Manual entry.
4.
If Jade is configured to use a passphrase, you will be prompted to enter it upon any attempt to access an active session (either after PIN entry or a temporary option like SeedQR). After entry, double check you are entering your desired passphrase. Remember that passphrases are case-sensitive and there is no concept of an incorrect passphrase, any "typo" will simply lead to a new wallet and you will not see your funds.
5.
When logged into an active session with your passphrase, take note of your wallet fingerprint found in the lower right corner of Jade's display (ex. 8D688EA0). This 8-character string is unique to this wallet and its passphrase. This can serve as a check on subsequent sessions as it will not match your recorded fingerprint if you have a typo in your passphrase.