Wallet Recovery AI

Coldcard Wallet Recovery

Coldcard Recovery — Frequently Asked Questions

Can you recover without my 24-word seed?

Sometimes. If you have encrypted backups and strong hints, or if you only lost the BIP39 passphrase, we may help. A reset Coldcard without the original seed cannot be recovered.

Do you brute-force the device PIN?

No. The Coldcard enforces PIN attempt limits, and failed attempts may brick the device. We never attempt on-device bypass.

What about the 25th word (BIP39 passphrase)?

We can test passphrase candidates offline using your hints and known addresses/xpubs. Hint quality is crucial.

Do you need my seed phrase?

No. Never share your seed phrase. If you have it, restore directly on any BIP39 wallet.

Is recovery guaranteed?

No. Recovery depends on hint quality and available data. We start with a free offline assessment and then provide realistic next steps.

Ready for a Free Assessment?

Send your Coldcard backup files and hints securely. We’ll review them offline and respond with your options — no commitment, no risk.

Start Recovery

Hints That Help Most (Passphrase / Backup Password)

  • Type — was it a BIP39 passphrase (25th word) or backup file password?
  • Length — digits or characters; exact or approximate.
  • Character sets — digits only / letters+digits / symbols (which?).
  • Patterns — word+year, initials+2 digits, ends with ! or 123.
  • Words reused — pets, brands, nicknames, common phrases.
  • Dates/numbers — birthdays, anniversaries, memorable years.
  • Keyboard habits — QWERTY vs QWERTZ, common symbols, double letters.
  • Targets — known addresses/xpubs to validate when a candidate is correct.

Even small hints dramatically improve feasibility.

Independent Assessment: This is an independent assessment of your recovery case. Submitting your files does not commit you to anything.

Security & Privacy: We never ask for your 24-word seed phrase. Files are confidential and used only for offline evaluation.

No Device Bypass: We cannot bypass the Coldcard PIN or secure element.

Ready for a Free Assessment?

Send your Coldcard backup files and hints securely. We’ll review them offline and respond with your options — no commitment, no risk.

Start Recovery

How to Prepare & Send Files (Secure)

  1. Collect your Coldcard backup file(s) from microSD, or watch-only data if available.
  2. Copy them to your Desktop.
  3. Compress into .zip or .7z and set a temporary password.
  4. Submit an inquiry on our inquiry page. We’ll reply with a secure upload link.
  5. Provide detailed hints (see below). Strong hints = faster testing and realistic recovery odds.

Offline only: All testing is done on isolated systems. First step is a free assessment — no commitment required.

Hints That Help Most (Passphrase / Backup Password)

  • Type — was it a BIP39 passphrase (25th word) or backup file password?
  • Length — digits or characters; exact or approximate.
  • Character sets — digits only / letters+digits / symbols (which?).
  • Patterns — word+year, initials+2 digits, ends with ! or 123.
  • Words reused — pets, brands, nicknames, common phrases.
  • Dates/numbers — birthdays, anniversaries, memorable years.
  • Keyboard habits — QWERTY vs QWERTZ, common symbols, double letters.
  • Targets — known addresses/xpubs to validate when a candidate is correct.

Even small hints dramatically improve feasibility.

Independent Assessment: This is an independent assessment of your recovery case. Submitting your files does not commit you to anything.

Security & Privacy: We never ask for your 24-word seed phrase. Files are confidential and used only for offline evaluation.

No Device Bypass: We cannot bypass the Coldcard PIN or secure element.

Ready for a Free Assessment?

Send your Coldcard backup files and hints securely. We’ll review them offline and respond with your options — no commitment, no risk.

Start Recovery

What to Send

  • Encrypted Coldcard backups (if available) from your microSD card.
  • Watch-only files (xpubs/addresses) exported from your Coldcard or other software.
  • Hints for the passphrase or backup password.
  • (Optional) Approx. Coldcard firmware version or purchase year.

Please do not email files. Submit your case at our inquiry page; we’ll reply with a one-time, secure upload link.

Where to Find Coldcard Backups

  • Backups are typically on the microSD card used with your Coldcard.
  • File names usually end with .7z or .backup.
  • If multiple backups exist, send all of them — the latest is best, but older ones can help too.

Always compress into a new .zip or .7z with a temporary password before upload.

How to Prepare & Send Files (Secure)

  1. Collect your Coldcard backup file(s) from microSD, or watch-only data if available.
  2. Copy them to your Desktop.
  3. Compress into .zip or .7z and set a temporary password.
  4. Submit an inquiry on our inquiry page. We’ll reply with a secure upload link.
  5. Provide detailed hints (see below). Strong hints = faster testing and realistic recovery odds.

Offline only: All testing is done on isolated systems. First step is a free assessment — no commitment required.

Hints That Help Most (Passphrase / Backup Password)

  • Type — was it a BIP39 passphrase (25th word) or backup file password?
  • Length — digits or characters; exact or approximate.
  • Character sets — digits only / letters+digits / symbols (which?).
  • Patterns — word+year, initials+2 digits, ends with ! or 123.
  • Words reused — pets, brands, nicknames, common phrases.
  • Dates/numbers — birthdays, anniversaries, memorable years.
  • Keyboard habits — QWERTY vs QWERTZ, common symbols, double letters.
  • Targets — known addresses/xpubs to validate when a candidate is correct.

Even small hints dramatically improve feasibility.

Independent Assessment: This is an independent assessment of your recovery case. Submitting your files does not commit you to anything.

Security & Privacy: We never ask for your 24-word seed phrase. Files are confidential and used only for offline evaluation.

No Device Bypass: We cannot bypass the Coldcard PIN or secure element.

Ready for a Free Assessment?

Send your Coldcard backup files and hints securely. We’ll review them offline and respond with your options — no commitment, no risk.

Start Recovery

What We Can Help With

  • BIP39 passphrase (25th word) testing — using your hints plus known addresses or xpubs.
  • Encrypted backup files — Coldcard can export backups to microSD; we can attempt decryption with your hints.
  • Account mapping — verifying candidate passphrases against your known wallet addresses/transactions.

Important Limitations

  • We cannot bypass the Coldcard device PIN or firmware. Too many wrong PINs will brick or lock the device.
  • Without the original seed phrase (24 words), a reset device cannot be restored.
  • We will never ask for your seed phrase. If you have it, you can restore directly on any BIP39 wallet.
  • Recovery feasibility depends on hint quality and presence of usable backup files or watch-only data.

What to Send

  • Encrypted Coldcard backups (if available) from your microSD card.
  • Watch-only files (xpubs/addresses) exported from your Coldcard or other software.
  • Hints for the passphrase or backup password.
  • (Optional) Approx. Coldcard firmware version or purchase year.

Please do not email files. Submit your case at our inquiry page; we’ll reply with a one-time, secure upload link.

Where to Find Coldcard Backups

  • Backups are typically on the microSD card used with your Coldcard.
  • File names usually end with .7z or .backup.
  • If multiple backups exist, send all of them — the latest is best, but older ones can help too.

Always compress into a new .zip or .7z with a temporary password before upload.

How to Prepare & Send Files (Secure)

  1. Collect your Coldcard backup file(s) from microSD, or watch-only data if available.
  2. Copy them to your Desktop.
  3. Compress into .zip or .7z and set a temporary password.
  4. Submit an inquiry on our inquiry page. We’ll reply with a secure upload link.
  5. Provide detailed hints (see below). Strong hints = faster testing and realistic recovery odds.

Offline only: All testing is done on isolated systems. First step is a free assessment — no commitment required.

Hints That Help Most (Passphrase / Backup Password)

  • Type — was it a BIP39 passphrase (25th word) or backup file password?
  • Length — digits or characters; exact or approximate.
  • Character sets — digits only / letters+digits / symbols (which?).
  • Patterns — word+year, initials+2 digits, ends with ! or 123.
  • Words reused — pets, brands, nicknames, common phrases.
  • Dates/numbers — birthdays, anniversaries, memorable years.
  • Keyboard habits — QWERTY vs QWERTZ, common symbols, double letters.
  • Targets — known addresses/xpubs to validate when a candidate is correct.

Even small hints dramatically improve feasibility.

Independent Assessment: This is an independent assessment of your recovery case. Submitting your files does not commit you to anything.

Security & Privacy: We never ask for your 24-word seed phrase. Files are confidential and used only for offline evaluation.

No Device Bypass: We cannot bypass the Coldcard PIN or secure element.

Ready for a Free Assessment?

Send your Coldcard backup files and hints securely. We’ll review them offline and respond with your options — no commitment, no risk.

Start Recovery

What We Can Help With

  • BIP39 passphrase (25th word) testing — using your hints plus known addresses or xpubs.
  • Encrypted backup files — Coldcard can export backups to microSD; we can attempt decryption with your hints.
  • Account mapping — verifying candidate passphrases against your known wallet addresses/transactions.

Important Limitations

  • We cannot bypass the Coldcard device PIN or firmware. Too many wrong PINs will brick or lock the device.
  • Without the original seed phrase (24 words), a reset device cannot be restored.
  • We will never ask for your seed phrase. If you have it, you can restore directly on any BIP39 wallet.
  • Recovery feasibility depends on hint quality and presence of usable backup files or watch-only data.

What to Send

  • Encrypted Coldcard backups (if available) from your microSD card.
  • Watch-only files (xpubs/addresses) exported from your Coldcard or other software.
  • Hints for the passphrase or backup password.
  • (Optional) Approx. Coldcard firmware version or purchase year.

Please do not email files. Submit your case at our inquiry page; we’ll reply with a one-time, secure upload link.

Where to Find Coldcard Backups

  • Backups are typically on the microSD card used with your Coldcard.
  • File names usually end with .7z or .backup.
  • If multiple backups exist, send all of them — the latest is best, but older ones can help too.

Always compress into a new .zip or .7z with a temporary password before upload.

How to Prepare & Send Files (Secure)

  1. Collect your Coldcard backup file(s) from microSD, or watch-only data if available.
  2. Copy them to your Desktop.
  3. Compress into .zip or .7z and set a temporary password.
  4. Submit an inquiry on our inquiry page. We’ll reply with a secure upload link.
  5. Provide detailed hints (see below). Strong hints = faster testing and realistic recovery odds.

Offline only: All testing is done on isolated systems. First step is a free assessment — no commitment required.

Hints That Help Most (Passphrase / Backup Password)

  • Type — was it a BIP39 passphrase (25th word) or backup file password?
  • Length — digits or characters; exact or approximate.
  • Character sets — digits only / letters+digits / symbols (which?).
  • Patterns — word+year, initials+2 digits, ends with ! or 123.
  • Words reused — pets, brands, nicknames, common phrases.
  • Dates/numbers — birthdays, anniversaries, memorable years.
  • Keyboard habits — QWERTY vs QWERTZ, common symbols, double letters.
  • Targets — known addresses/xpubs to validate when a candidate is correct.

Even small hints dramatically improve feasibility.

Independent Assessment: This is an independent assessment of your recovery case. Submitting your files does not commit you to anything.

Security & Privacy: We never ask for your 24-word seed phrase. Files are confidential and used only for offline evaluation.

No Device Bypass: We cannot bypass the Coldcard PIN or secure element.

Ready for a Free Assessment?

Send your Coldcard backup files and hints securely. We’ll review them offline and respond with your options — no commitment, no risk.

Start Recovery

Coldcard Wallet Recovery – BIP39 Passphrase & Backup Files

Forgot your Coldcard BIP39 passphrase (25th word) or lost access to an encrypted backup file? We provide secure, offline recovery assessments for Coldcard-related scenarios. Follow the steps below to prepare your files and request a free, no-obligation assessment.

Request Free Assessment
See All Supported Wallets

What We Can Help With

  • BIP39 passphrase (25th word) testing — using your hints plus known addresses or xpubs.
  • Encrypted backup files — Coldcard can export backups to microSD; we can attempt decryption with your hints.
  • Account mapping — verifying candidate passphrases against your known wallet addresses/transactions.

Important Limitations

  • We cannot bypass the Coldcard device PIN or firmware. Too many wrong PINs will brick or lock the device.
  • Without the original seed phrase (24 words), a reset device cannot be restored.
  • We will never ask for your seed phrase. If you have it, you can restore directly on any BIP39 wallet.
  • Recovery feasibility depends on hint quality and presence of usable backup files or watch-only data.

What to Send

  • Encrypted Coldcard backups (if available) from your microSD card.
  • Watch-only files (xpubs/addresses) exported from your Coldcard or other software.
  • Hints for the passphrase or backup password.
  • (Optional) Approx. Coldcard firmware version or purchase year.

Please do not email files. Submit your case at our inquiry page; we’ll reply with a one-time, secure upload link.

Where to Find Coldcard Backups

  • Backups are typically on the microSD card used with your Coldcard.
  • File names usually end with .7z or .backup.
  • If multiple backups exist, send all of them — the latest is best, but older ones can help too.

Always compress into a new .zip or .7z with a temporary password before upload.

How to Prepare & Send Files (Secure)

  1. Collect your Coldcard backup file(s) from microSD, or watch-only data if available.
  2. Copy them to your Desktop.
  3. Compress into .zip or .7z and set a temporary password.
  4. Submit an inquiry on our inquiry page. We’ll reply with a secure upload link.
  5. Provide detailed hints (see below). Strong hints = faster testing and realistic recovery odds.

Offline only: All testing is done on isolated systems. First step is a free assessment — no commitment required.

Hints That Help Most (Passphrase / Backup Password)

  • Type — was it a BIP39 passphrase (25th word) or backup file password?
  • Length — digits or characters; exact or approximate.
  • Character sets — digits only / letters+digits / symbols (which?).
  • Patterns — word+year, initials+2 digits, ends with ! or 123.
  • Words reused — pets, brands, nicknames, common phrases.
  • Dates/numbers — birthdays, anniversaries, memorable years.
  • Keyboard habits — QWERTY vs QWERTZ, common symbols, double letters.
  • Targets — known addresses/xpubs to validate when a candidate is correct.

Even small hints dramatically improve feasibility.

Independent Assessment: This is an independent assessment of your recovery case. Submitting your files does not commit you to anything.

Security & Privacy: We never ask for your 24-word seed phrase. Files are confidential and used only for offline evaluation.

No Device Bypass: We cannot bypass the Coldcard PIN or secure element.

Ready for a Free Assessment?

Send your Coldcard backup files and hints securely. We’ll review them offline and respond with your options — no commitment, no risk.

Start Recovery