COLDCARD Security Advisory A seed-generation defect affected releases beginning with firmware 4.0.1. Fixed firmware is available. Existing affected seeds still require migration. Check status
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COLDCARD Backups and Recovery Help

Written by Coinkite Team

Applies to: COLDCARD Q, Mk5, and Mk4

Verified on: July 17, 2026

First identify what you are recovering. Seed words, a BIP-39 passphrase, and the 12-word password for an encrypted COLDCARD backup serve different purposes. Do not try possible secrets on a networked device.

Backup and recovery routes

Seed words and recovery cards

Review what the wallet backup card records and what must be preserved for recovery.

Open Recovery Cards

Encrypted COLDCARD backups

Create, verify, restore, or clone from an encrypted backup using the current device instructions.

Open Encrypted Backups

BIP-39 passphrases

Understand how a passphrase selects a different wallet and why a forgotten passphrase cannot be recovered from the seed alone.

Open Passphrase Wallets

Seed XOR and advanced backups

Use advanced backup schemes only when you understand their reconstruction and storage requirements.

Open Seed XOR

Do not send seed words, passphrases, PINs, backup passwords, private keys, descriptors, or funded transaction files to support. If the correct official path is still unclear, describe the model, firmware version, and visible error without including wallet secrets.

Contact Coinkite support