Du kannst diesen Artikel auch auf Deutsch lesen.
In this blog post, we'll walk you through the process of migrating from a Ledger hardware wallet to the BitBox02 for cold storage. This guide is specifically designed for those seeking a secure and user-friendly hardware wallet experience built on open-source. We'll cover all the steps needed to transfer your assets and ensure a seamless transition.
Why choose the BitBox02 as a Ledger alternative?
The BitBox02 is a popular choice among crypto enthusiasts as a Ledger alternative for several reasons:
- Security: The BitBox02 offers a high level of security, thanks to its combination of a secure chip with fully open-source firmware.
- User Experience: The sleek BitBox02 is easy to use, with a simple touch interface and the intuitive BitBoxApp, available for Windows, Mac, Linux and Android smartphones.
- Compatibility: The BitBox02 closely follows industry standards and supports a wide range of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano and over 1500 tokens.
- Backup and Recovery: The device allows easy backup and recovery using a microSD card or manually writing down 24 recovery words.
- Existing users love us! We are rated Excellent on Trustpilot with 4.8 of 5 stars. These reviews are the result of the BitBox02 being a great product and our stellar customer support team.
Are all my coins supported on the BitBox02?
Before you begin the migration process, it's important to check if the BitBox02 Multi edition supports all the coins you currently keep in your Ledger wallet. We recommend double-checking the list of supported coins of the BitBox02 Multi edition to ensure that you can manage your desired assets on your new hardware wallet.
It's also worthwhile to mention that the BitBox02 does not support the very old Bitcoin legacy addresses starting with 1..., as these already obsolete when we launched the BitBox02. In case you keep Bitcoin in a Ledger legacy account, simply send them to your new BitBox02 from your old Ledger after the move.
Please be aware that Ledger Ethereum accounts use a non-standard derivation path. If you hold ETH and ERC-20 token in multiple accounts, we strongly recommend you create a new wallet on your BitBox02 and transfer these coins instead of restoring your existing backup.
Should I move my existing wallet, or create a new one?
To migrate your coins you have two options:
- Recommended: Send your coins to a a new wallet created on your BitBox02. This approach is a bit more work, but provides a clean fresh start where you can safely discard your old Ledger wallet. However, sending all your coins to a new wallet can be quite a bit of work and transactions fees add up.
- Recover your Ledger backup on a new BitBox02 to import your existing wallets. This is easy and quick, and avoids blockchain transaction fees. You need to trust that the original wallet created by Ledger is secure.
If you don't have too many different coins and are convinced that you want to move them to the BitBox02, we recommend that you create a new wallet. Otherwise, it's quick and easy to recover your Ledger backup, and you still have the option to move your coins to a new BitBox02 wallet in the future.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the "Recover your Ledger backup" approach, as the other option (creating a new wallet on the Bitbox02 and transferring your coins) is straightforward.
How do I migrate from a Ledger to the BitBox02 using my backup?
Both devices use industry standards such as Hierarchical Deterministic (HD) wallets (BIP-32), passphrase support (BIP-39), and mostly standardised derivation paths, making the migration process relatively straightforward.
Before you begin, make sure you have your Ledger device, your 24 recovery words (seed phrase), and a new BitBox02 hardware wallet. Then follow these steps:
- Download and install the BitBox App for your operating system from the official website.
- Plug your BitBox02 into your computer using the provided USB-C cable.
- Follow the setup process and when asked select the "Restore from recovery words" option.
- Carefully enter your 24 recovery words from your Ledger hardware wallet. Double-check each word to ensure accuracy.
- Set a new device password for your BitBox02.
- Done! You have now restored your wallet and the BitBoxApp will scan the default accounts for your past transaction history.
Note: Ledger Ethereum accounts use a non-standard derivation path. If you hold ETH and ERC-20 token in multiple accounts, we strongly recommend you create a new wallet on your BitBox02 and transfer these coins instead of restoring your existing backup.
Optional: Adding multiple accounts
If you were using multiple Bitcoin accounts on your Ledger wallet, the BitBoxApp will detect and enable them automatically. If they don't show up for any reason, you might need to enable these additional accounts manually in the Settings ("Manage accounts").
Optional: Activating the passphrase feature
If you were using an optional passphrase (also known as the 25th word) on your Ledger wallet, you need to activate this feature for your BitBox02 as well. To enable the passphrase feature:
- Go to "Manage device" in the BitBoxApp.
- Select "Enable optional passphrase."
From now on your BitBox02 will ask you for an optional passphrase each time you unlock it after you have entered your device password.
Now your BitBox02 hardware wallet is set up with the same recovery words and accounts as your previous Ledger device. In conclusion, migrating from a Ledger hardware wallet to a BitBox02 hardware wallet a simple and straightforward process that only takes a couple of minutes.
Don’t own a BitBox yet?
Keeping your crypto secure doesn't have to be hard. The BitBox02 hardware wallet stores the private keys for your cryptocurrencies offline. So you can manage your coins safely.
The BitBox02 also comes in Bitcoin-only version, featuring a radically focused firmware: less code means less attack surface, which further improves your security when only storing Bitcoin.
Frequently asked questions
What are Ledger wallet alternatives?
The "big three" secure hardware wallets for Bitcoin and crypto are Ledger, Trezor and BitBox. They follow different priorities when it comes to security, usability and the number of supported coins. A good alternative to Ledger should be Open Source for full transparency, and have a Secure Chip for physical security. This makes the BitBox02 wallet an excellent choice.
How can I move my Bitcoin and crypto to a Ledger alternative?
To migrate your coins you can either recover your Ledger backup on a different wallet (quick and easy, no blockchain transaction fees, but no added security), or you create a new wallet on a BitBox or Trezor and send your coins to it (clean fresh start with the best security, but quite a bit of work and transactions fees can add up)
Is the BitBox cold wallet a good Ledger alternative?
Yes, the BitBox02 is a secure alternative to Ledger wallets. It is fully open-source, made in Switzerland, and features a Secure Chip for physical protection. It does not support as many coins as Ledger, so make sure that all your coins are supported.
Can I still use my Ledger device after migrating to the BitBox02?
Yes, you can still use your Ledger device after migrating to the BitBox02. Both devices will share the same seed phrase and access the same wallet accounts. However, for optimal security, it's recommended to use only one hardware wallet at a time and securely store the other as a backup.
Will I need to pay any fees for transferring my assets from Ledger to BitBox02?
Assuming you are restoring your Ledger backup on a BitBox02: No, there are no transfer fees involved when migrating from a Ledger to a BitBox02, as you're not sending your assets from one wallet to another. Instead, you're restoring your existing wallet accounts on the BitBox02 using your 24 recovery words.
Do I need to transfer my assets to a temporary wallet during the migration process?
No, you do not need to transfer your assets to a temporary wallet during the migration process. The migration involves restoring your existing wallet accounts on the BitBox02 using your 24 recovery words, without the need to send your assets between wallets. This means your assets remain secure and under your control throughout the entire process.
Can I use the BitBox02 with my existing wallet software, such as Ledger Live or MetaMask?
The BitBox02 is designed to work with its own BitBox App, which provides a user-friendly interface for managing your digital assets. While it's not directly compatible with Ledger Live, you can still use the BitBox02 with third-party wallet software like MyEtherwallet or Rabby.
Is it possible to migrate only specific accounts or cryptocurrencies from my Ledger to the BitBox02?
The migration process described in the blog post involves restoring your entire seed phrase, which includes all accounts and cryptocurrencies associated with it. However, after the migration, you can choose to selectively display or hide specific accounts within the BitBox App based on your preferences.
Can I migrate from a Ledger device that uses a passphrase in addition to the 24 recovery words?
Yes, you can migrate from a Ledger device that uses a passphrase (also known as a 25th word) in addition to the 24 recovery words. You can enable the 'optional passphrase' feature in the BitBoxApp and the BitBox02 will prompt you for a passphrase each time you unlock it with your device password.
Can the migration process from a Ledger to BitBox02 be reversed?
Yes, the migration process can be reversed if you decide to switch back to your Ledger device. Since both devices share the same seed phrase and access the same wallet accounts, you can simply restore your 24 recovery words on your Ledger device using the Ledger Live app. Remember that for optimal security, it's recommended to use only one hardware wallet at a time and securely store the other as a backup.
Don’t own a BitBox yet?
Keeping your crypto secure doesn't have to be hard. The BitBox02 hardware wallet stores the private keys for your cryptocurrencies offline. So you can manage your coins safely.
The BitBox02 also comes in Bitcoin-only version, featuring a radically focused firmware: less code means less attack surface, which further improves your security when only storing Bitcoin.
Shift Crypto is a privately-held company based in Zurich, Switzerland. Our team of Bitcoin contributors, crypto experts, and security engineers builds products that enable customers to enjoy a stress-free journey from novice to mastery level of cryptocurrency management. The BitBox02, our second generation hardware wallet, lets users store, protect, and transact Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies with ease - along with its software companion, the BitBoxApp.