The BitGo Keycard: How to Use It to Restore Your Wallet

The BitGo Keycard is an essential element for preserving a backup and restoring the BitGo wallet. It should be securely saved—either digitally or as a printed copy—when creating the wallet, and contains four different secrets that should be stored offline, three of which are keys:

• User Key: This is the user’s private key encrypted with a password chosen by the user.
• Backup Key: The Backup Key is typically found directly on the keycard itself, making it easily accessible for recovery. It can also be stored by partner companies like Keyternal or Coincave who can assist with recovery using the information on the keycard.
• BitGo Public Key: This key is used by BitGo to sign transactions.
• Encrypted Wallet Password: This is the encrypted password for your wallet.

For each of the four secrets there is a QR code that can be read. It is possible to restore a wallet using the keycard without needing the help of BitGo.

In order to perform the recovery, you will need to download the BitGo Wallet Recovery Wizard from GitHub. Once installed, you go through the following steps:

1. Select “Mainnet” as the environment
2. Select the menu item “Non-BitGo Recovery”
3. Select the Cryptocurrency to be recovered
4. Select the Key Recovery Service listed on your BitGo Keycard; otherwise choose “None”
5. Enter the User Key in Box A
6. Enter the Backup Key in Box B
7. Enter the BitGo Public Key in Box C
8. Enter your unencrypted wallet passphrase
9. Paste the receiving address for your Bitcoin
10. Press “Recover Funds”

The software will create a JSON file, which includes a “transaction hex”. This string must be copied and sent to the network via a block explorer to trigger the transaction.

Recovering your BitGo wallet can be a complex process, especially if you've encountered specific challenges along the way. In this section, we’ll cover common issues users face during recovery and provide guidance for resolving them. Whether you’ve misplaced essential documents, encountered errors with the BitGo Wallet Recovery Wizard, these troubleshooting tips aim to support a smoother recovery experience.

The password associated with your BitGo Keycard is essential for decrypting the information on the keycard and recovering your wallet. It's important to note that the password can contain any UTF-8 character, meaning it may include letters, numbers, symbols and even non-standard characters. If you've lost or forgotten your password, consider trying the following to recall it:

• Think of Previous Passwords: Try any passwords you have used in the past, especially those around the time you created the BitGo wallet.
• Consider Variations: Think about common variations you might have used, such as replacing letters with numbers (e.g., "P@ssw0rd" instead of "Password") or adding special characters.
• Check for Typos: You might have mistyped the password when setting it. Try variations with common typos or keyboard layout changes.
• Reflect on Password Patterns: Consider if you used a pattern or a passphrase that holds personal significance.

If you still cannot remember your password after these attempts, it may be time to seek professional assistance. Wallet recovery services like ReWallet can provide expert help to recover your wallet.

The PDF of your BitGo Keycard is an important document as it stores encrypted keys and other critical information for wallet recovery. Here are steps you can try to retrieve the lost PDF:

• Search Backups and Storage Locations: Check all your common backup locations, such as external hard drives, flash drives, cloud storage or even email attachments, where you might have saved a copy of the PDF.
• Look for Paper Printouts: If you ever printed the PDF for offline storage, look in any physical storage locations where you may keep important documents.
• Check with Any Collaborators: If you set up the wallet with a team or shared the PDF for safekeeping, check with them to see if they still have access.

If you cannot locate the PDF and have no other means of recovery, consider reaching out to BitGo or a professional wallet recovery service. They may be able to provide additional assistance depending on your situation.

The BitGo Wallet Recovery Wizard is the only tool for recovering your wallet using the BitGo Keycard. However, technical errors or incomplete inputs may prevent the recovery from succeeding. Here are common troubleshooting steps if the Wizard fails:

• Double-Check Inputs: Ensure that you’ve entered all the keys (User Key, Backup Key, BitGo Public Key) and the receiving address accurately. Even a small error in any of these values can cause the recovery to fail.
• Update to the Latest Version: Download the latest version of the BitGo Wallet Recovery Wizard from the official BitGo GitHub repository. Older versions may have bugs or be incompatible with recent updates.
• Verify JSON File Integrity: If the Wizard creates a JSON file but fails during the transaction, check that the “transaction hex” is correctly copied and that it hasn’t been altered.
• Internet and Firewall Settings: Ensure your internet connection is stable, and check that firewalls or antivirus software are not blocking the Wizard's processes.

If these steps don’t resolve the issue, BitGo’s support team or a professional wallet recovery service, such as ReWallet, may be able to assist by analyzing the problem and providing additional guidance.

As long as the information on your keycard is complete, there is a very good chance of restoring the wallet. Even if the information is incomplete or if you encounter difficulties with BitGo’s software, recovering your wallet might still be possible.

Facing problems during the recovery? - Our wallet recovery services are here to help you! You can contact us via our contact form and describe your situation to us. We cannot give you a blanket assurance that a recovery will be possible and successful but we have had very good experiences with BitGo keycard cases.