If you have 2FA enabled, confirmation through one of your selected two-factor authentication (2FA) methods is required to spend funds from your Bitcoin or Liquid wallet. As part of Blockstream Green’s multisig security, you cannot spend funds from your wallet without your 2FA.
If you have lost access to all of your 2FA methods, you can regain access to your wallet by either:
- Performing a 2FA reset OR
- If funds were received after January 2021 and older than your timelock period (default ~1 year), you can spend funds directly in the app without a 2FA method
Tip: As long as you retain access to at least one enabled 2FA method, you will be able to disable and change any lost 2FA method. For this reason, you may consider enabling multiple 2FA methods.
After initiating a reset, you will need to wait at least one year before you are able to spend your wallet’s funds. Therefore, resetting your 2FA should be an option of last resort, used only when you are certain that you have permanently lost access to all of your 2FA methods.
Note: If you have experience with Linux and command-line applications, you can attempt to recover your funds instead of resetting your 2FA. Recovery can provide access to your funds as soon as the timelock period expires, but is available to advanced users only.
Reset Your 2FA
Mobile
1.
Open Blockstream Green and log in to the wallet you have lost your 2FA method for. Tap the Settings icon and scroll to Two-Factor authentication.
2.
Below 2FA Methods you will see a section titled Request Two-Factor reset, select I lost my 2FA.
3.
Enter an email address to be used as your new 2FA method after the reset period is complete.
Warning: Make sure you do not lose access to this email address. If you lose access to this email address, you will need to restart the 2FA reset and wait another 12 months.
Desktop
1.
Open Blockstream Green and log in to the wallet you have lost your 2FA method for. Click the Settings icon.
2.
Select Two Factor Authentication then click Reset under the Request Two-Factor Reset section.
3.
Enter an email address to be used as your new 2FA method after the reset period is complete.
Once you have initiated the reset, the waiting period will begin. During the waiting period, you will only be able to log in to your wallet to check how long is left on the waiting period countdown. You will not be able to use the send or receive functions.
At the end of the waiting period, all of your existing 2FA methods will be disabled and a new 2FA method will be activated using the email address you provided during the reset request. You will then be able to use your wallet as normal.
Tip: We always recommend you enable more than one 2FA method, in case you lose access to one.
Why Such a Long Waiting Period?
The long waiting period is a crucial security measure to prevent someone from accessing your wallet and using the 2FA reset feature to steal your funds. If you see a notification of a 2FA reset attempt that you did not initiate yourself, the waiting period provides you plenty of time to log in to your wallet and cancel the reset.
How Much Time is Left on My Waiting Period?
After initiating a 2FA reset, you can check how many days remain on the waiting period in your wallet’s settings.
Can I Cancel the 2FA Reset?
Yes. If you have found one of your lost 2FA methods after requesting a reset, you can cancel the reset at any time.