The Jade Plus camera allows for fully air-gapped communication with the Blockstream app. Instead of passing messages between Jade Plus and your companion app via USB or Bluetooth, your devices can communicate by scanning QR codes from each other's screens.
Since an air-gapped Jade Plus doesn't have to physically connect with other devices, they offer improved security and compatibility, giving you complete physical control over when data is sent or received.
Access Options
Before air-gapping your Jade Plus, it's helpful to understand each access option:
- QR PIN Unlock: During initialization, Jade Plus saves your encrypted wallet data to the device and makes it accessible via PIN. To unlock your Jade Plus, perform a QR PIN Unlock to decrypt the keys. This security model makes Jade Plus unique: unlike other hardware wallets, there’s nothing of value to steal from a locked device, yet it remains easy to access with a 6-digit PIN.
- SeedQR: A hand-drawn QR code representation of your recovery phrase that the Jade Plus camera can scan each time you want to load keys to your device. While faster than entering a PIN, it requires physical access to the SeedQR to spend.
Both options offer comparable security regarding physical key extraction. Choose the one that best suits your workflow and preferences.
Advanced Setup
Follow these instructions to set up Jade Plus using either QR PIN Unlock or SeedQR:
1.
Power on your Jade Plus and select Set Up Jade, then choose Advanced Setup.
2.
Choose your Setup Method:
- Create New Wallet: Generate a new recovery phrase and create a fresh wallet.
- Restore Wallet: Enter an existing recovery phrase, or create one using dice rolls. Jade Plus can calculate the final word for you.
3.
Write down and securely store your recovery phrase. Do not take a picture or store it online. Even better: secure it with Blockstream Metal or Blockstream Capsule.
Verify your backup by selecting the correct word from your phrase.
Warning: Your recovery phrase grants access to your wallet. Never enter it on another device except for emergency situations.
4.
Jade Plus will ask if you’d like to create a SeedQR—a hand-drawn QR code that encodes your recovery phrase and can be scanned to load your wallet. If you choose this option, follow the on-screen guide and use the provided template to transcribe your SeedQR.
Note: If you plan to only use Jade Plus with QR PIN Unlock, you may skip this step.
5.
Select QR as your connection method, then complete the QR PIN Unlock setup. If you created a SeedQR in the previous step, you’ll have the option to skip the PIN and rely solely on your SeedQR.
6.
Your Jade Plus is now ready for air-gapped use. You can select your preferred access method from the QR Mode menu on reboot.