Connect a Bitcoin wallet application
Choose one application to hold the USB connection. Direct USB connects Sparrow or Electrum to KeepKey; the Desktop-assisted route imports a transaction file into Desktop for review and signing. Installing another application does not move coins or change your recovery phrase.
Watch the overview: One online computer.
Before you start
Download KeepKey Desktop from keepkey.com/desktop . For Sparrow and Electrum , use their official download and verification instructions and authenticate the signing-key fingerprints. Do not use an installer linked by a wallet server, an advert or a support message. Record the app version and account/script type you intend to use.
Download and verify wallet software
- Get KeepKey Desktop from keepkey dot com slash desktop. For Sparrow or Electrum, type the project’s official address yourself.
- Here is a concrete Electrum check using GPG. Download the package for your operating system and its matching signature file from Electrum’s download page.
- Obtain the publisher’s public signing key. Compare its complete fingerprint with an independently authenticated reference.
- Run GPG’s verify command with the signature path first and the downloaded package path second.
- Sparrow uses a signed manifest and installer hashes, so follow its own verification instructions.
Use Desktop on one computer
- Open Desktop and connect your initialized KeepKey over USB. Unlock the intended wallet, then open Bitcoin.
- Choose Send. Enter the full recipient address from a trusted source, the amount and fee priority.
- Inspect the resulting destination, amount and fee. Expand the payload if you need to examine its inputs and outputs.
- Compare the requested payment details on KeepKey with your intention. Read the complete destination and check the displayed amount and total.
- Desktop returns the signed transaction. Choose Broadcast Transaction only after final inspection.
Sign Bitcoin on one computer
- Use the matching public account in Sparrow. KeepKey connects to Desktop over USB.
- Review the destination, amount, every output and fee in Sparrow.
- Choose Finalize Transaction for Signing. This prepares the payment; it does not sign.
- Choose Save Transaction and save the unsigned PSBT file.
- Open that file in Desktop. Inspect the inputs and recipient.
- Check the payment, change and fee. Here, six thousand sixty-six satoshis cover the payment and a one hundred ten satoshi fee.
- Choose Sign with KeepKey. Compare the destination, amount and total on the device, then approve only if they match.
- Desktop saves the signed file. Signing does not broadcast it.
- Load the signed file in Desktop. Review every output and fee again. Broadcast only when everything matches.
- An endpoint returning the expected transaction identifier is one check. Verify propagation and confirmation separately through your chosen node.
Use KeepKey directly with Sparrow
- Close Desktop and other applications that may hold the USB connection. Connect and unlock your initialized KeepKey.
- Choose Connected Hardware Wallet and scan for the device. Select KeepKey, then Import Keystore.
- In Receive, choose Display Address and compare the full receiving address on KeepKey.
- In Send, enter the recipient, label and amount, then choose Create Transaction. Inspect every output and fee.
- Compare the device details with your intended payment before approving with its button.
Use KeepKey directly with Electrum
- Close Desktop and other wallet applications that may hold the USB connection. Connect your KeepKey.
- Select the detected KeepKey and unlock the intended wallet when prompted. Choose native segwit and confirm the account derivation.
- Finish wallet setup and let synchronization complete through your selected server.
- In Send, enter the recipient and amount, then choose Pay. Review the fee and choose Preview to inspect the transaction.
- Review the requested payment on KeepKey before approving with the physical button. Cancel if the destination, amount or total differs.
Verify the result
For a direct USB wallet, verify a full receiving address on KeepKey and wait for synchronization. For signing, compare recipients, amounts, change and fee before the physical approval. For the Desktop-assisted route, prepare a complete PSBT in the coordinator and follow PSBT review.
If something fails
If scanning finds no device, close competing wallet applications and use connection troubleshooting. If an account is empty, check the script type, account path and passphrase before treating it as a lost balance. Never type KeepKey recovery words into a software wallet to repair a connection.