Can I reveal raw private keys of a wallet on BC Vault?

Modified on Wed, 16 Jun, 2021 at 2:37 PM

Yes. But it will mark the wallets as not secure (this is a purely cosmetic marker it does not change the functionality of the wallet) .


At the request of the community we implemented the exporting of RAW private keys on the BC Vault. Our previous stance was to promise to release an internal tool for decrypting private keys (with the pin/passwords, of course), but we realized that that some users didn't like that approach despite our best intentions. 


We thought long and hard about the best solution for both parties and decided to display the private key in its raw, hexadecimal form on the device's display. This means you will have to manually type it into some other wallet software but it preserves the security of the key. This procedure is only meant to be used in an unlikely worst case scenario, i.e., BC Vault shuts down all blockchain servers  and you need to extract your funds.


Raw private key is the LOWEST level of crypto wallet data that will enable to you to gain access to your existing wallet from any other device/software supporting the same crypto currency.


IF SOMEONE READS THE PRIVATE KEY THEY "GAIN FULL ACCESS"/"CAN SPEND ALL OF THE MONEY" ON THAT PARTICULAR WALLET/ADDRESS WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION! KEEP IT SECRET AND DON'T PROCEED IF YOU ARE NOT SURE!


MEMBERS OF TEAM BC VAULT OR ANY OFFICIAL BC VAULT APPLICATION WILL NEVER ASK YOU FOR YOUR PRIVATE KEYS!


IF YOU COME UPPON A SITUATION WHERE ENTITY/PORTAL/APPLICATION... ASKS YOU FOR THE PRIVATE KEY OF A WALLET YOU SHOULD NOT PROCEED AND NOTIFY US!



This is intended to be a one-way operation to get wallets off the BC Vault. This will forever mark the wallet as NOT SECURE:


Not secure icon:


  • You have to use at least v1.3.2 of the firmware and the application.
  • Enable "Advanced Mode" under "Settings" -> "Preferences".
  • Disconnect BC Vault from the USB port.
  • Hold down the MIDDLE/CONFIRM KEY and connect BC Vault to the USB port.
  • You will see "IKWID MODE" on the top of the display
    (IKWID means "I Know What I am Doing", which you should if you are doing this procedure!).
  • Log into the BC Vault application.
  • Select a wallet.
  • Click on "More" icon by any wallet and then select "Reveal Private Key".
  • Confirm the warning
  • Enter your wallet password in the application
  • Confirm revealing the private key on the device
  • Enter your wallet pin on the device
  • You will now see the raw private key of the particular wallet


There is a timer running on the top of the display. Once it reaches the end, the display will be cleared. You can reset the timer with any button on the device. We recommend writing down the private key with a pen and paper. If you are 100% sure you can trust your camera, you can take a picture (we recommend real film/digital... camera, that is not connected to the internet as opposed to a smartphone that could be compromised) and develop/print/etch it....


WARNING: Potential attacker might already fully control your desktop computer and thus might see the private key you are typing in! Do not do that on untrusted/online desktop:


If you want to check you written private key follow the Import Wallet KB Article and you should get a warning that a wallet with that private key already exists in your BC Vault.

See also: How can I gain access to my BC Vault created wallet on another device or software wallet?

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