BIP39 passphrases are an optional, advanced feature that provide some additional security to your wallet. Keep in mind that using a passphrase also has some tradeoffs, so make sure you know the implications of using one before you send any funds to a passphrase-protected wallet. Do not enable a passphrase without understanding how they work.
- Why would I use a passphrase?
- Why would I choose not to use a passphrase?
- How do passphrases work?
- How do I choose a passphrase?
Why would I use a passphrase?
There are several reasons why you might want to enable a passphrase:
- Passphrases give you the ability to use different wallets with only one recovery phrase. This is because each unique passphrase leads to a different wallet.
- Using a passphrase provides an additional layer of security - because an attacker can gain access to your PIN and recovery phrase but will be unable to spend your funds without your passphrase.
- Ability to create a "decoy" wallet. In a physical threat scenario, you can provide the attacker with a wallet containing some funds - but keep a wallet hidden behind a passphrase as well.
Why would I choose not to use a passphrase?
Using a passphrase comes with a significant amount of added personal responsibility. You may choose to avoid using a passphrase because:
- if you forget or lose your passphrase, you will permanently lose access to your funds - even if you have your recovery phrase.
- you will need to enter the passphrase every time you log in to your Jade, which may be an inconvenience.
Note: If you use a passphrase with a Multisig Shield wallet and then break or lose your Jade, you will need to purchase a new Jade in order to regain access to your wallet.
How do passphrases work?
Put simply, the passphrase you enter is added to your Green or Jade recovery phrase and is used to generate an entirely separate wallet.
To demonstrate this, let's assume Green or Jade generated the following recovery phrase for your wallet.
arrow garment kite truth yellow pelican roast latin discover jewel describe merry polar equip pistol next forest dignity kick word steel seminar actual genuine
If you use a BIP39 passphrase of "abc", a wallet will be generated using both your recovery phrase and passphrase of "abc". However if you log in again and enter a different passphrase, for example "abcd", an entirely different wallet will be logged in to than before.
Warning: Your Blockstream Green or Jade wallet will not store your passphrase, so you will need to enter it every time you login. If you lose or forget your passphrase, your funds will be permanently lost.
Green or Jade will only store your recovery phrase, which means you will need to enter your passphrase every time you log in. Any number of passphrases can be entered to change the wallet you will log into upon each session, which means even a slight change to your intended passphrase will lead to a different wallet. Make sure to keep your passphrase backed up and protected!
- Recovery phrase: "arrow garment kite ..... seminar actual genuine" + Passphrase: "bitcoin" = Wallet A
- Recovery phrase: "arrow garment kite ..... seminar actual genuine" + Passphrase: "bitcoins" = Wallet B
- Recovery phrase: "arrow garment kite ..... seminar actual genuine" + Passphrase: "bit coin" = Wallet C
- Recovery phrase: "arrow garment kite ..... seminar actual genuine" + Passphrase: "(field left empty)" = Wallet D
How do I choose a passphrase?
The amount of security added by your passphrase typically corresponds to its complexity. A shorter passphrase will be easy to remember, but may also be easier to guess for an attacker. However a passphrase that is too complex means that you might make mistakes when entering it, or you may forget it altogether. Keep in mind that passphrases:
- are case sensitive.
- count "spaces" (blanks) as characters.
- can be up to 100 characters long.