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Welcome to KeepKey

KeepKey is a hardware wallet — a small physical device that holds the private keys to your cryptocurrency. Your keys are generated on the device and never leave it. Every transaction is reviewed and approved by pressing a button on the device itself, so even if your computer is compromised, your funds can’t be moved without you physically confirming it.

If you just unboxed a KeepKey, start here. If you’re building an app that talks to a KeepKey, jump to the developer section at the bottom.

New here? Start with the basics

Three things every KeepKey owner should understand before doing anything else:

1 · Your Recovery Phrase
12 or 24 words the device shows you during setup. Whoever has these words owns the wallet — forever. Write them on paper and store them somewhere safe. Never type them into a computer.
2 · Your PIN
Protects the physical device. The number grid shuffles every time you enter it, so screen-watchers and screen recorders learn nothing useful. Pick something you’ll remember.
3 · Verify on the Device
Your computer can be compromised — your device screen cannot. Always read the address and amount on the KeepKey before approving a transaction. Every character, not just the ends.

Get started in 5 minutes

  1. Download the desktop application for macOS, Windows, or Linux from github.com/keepkey/keepkey-vault/releases/latest .
  2. Plug your KeepKey in with the USB cable and launch the application.
  3. Follow the onboarding flow. The app walks you through creating a new wallet (or recovering an existing one), writing down your recovery phrase, and setting a PIN.
  4. Write your recovery phrase on paper. Not in a password manager, not as a photo, not typed into a computer. Paper. In a safe place.
  5. Receive a small test amount first. Before sending anything meaningful to your new wallet, try a small deposit and confirm it arrives — verify the receive address on the device screen before you share it.

Full onboarding guide →

The KeepKey apps

KeepKey ships three official apps. You can use any combination of them — they all talk to the same hardware device.

DesktopDesktop Application
The main way to use your KeepKey. Portfolio, swap, send/receive, firmware updates. macOS, Windows, Linux.
Browser ExtensionBrowser Extension
Connect your KeepKey to any EVM dapp — Uniswap, OpenSea, Curve, and thousands more. Works like MetaMask, backed by hardware.
MobileMobile App
View your portfolio and receive funds on the go. Pairs with the desktop app via QR code. iOS and Android.

Common questions

  • I lost my KeepKey. Are my funds gone? No. Your funds live on the blockchain, not the device. As long as you still have your recovery phrase, buy another KeepKey (or any BIP39-compatible wallet) and recover the wallet with those words.
  • I forgot my PIN. Too many wrong PIN attempts wipes the device. Recover it from your recovery phrase on the same device or a new one.
  • Someone might have seen my recovery phrase. Move your funds to a new wallet on a new device immediately. Recovery phrases can’t be rotated — once exposed, the wallet is no longer safe.
  • Do I need to trust KeepKey the company? No. The firmware is open source, cryptographically signed, and runs only on the device. KeepKey (the company) has no way to move your funds.

Support

For developers

Building an app that talks to KeepKey? The desktop application exposes a local REST API on http://localhost:1646 when it’s running. Any app — web, native, CLI, or bot — can pair with it and request signatures from the hardware device.

npm install keepkey-vault-sdk
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