> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.solflare.com/solflare/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.solflare.com/solflare/onboarding/mobile/connect-solflare-shield.md).

# Connect Solflare Shield

How to set up Solflare Shield, Solflare's tap-to-sign hardware wallet card: create a new wallet, import a recovery phrase, or pair a Shield with a new phone.

Solflare Shield is Solflare's hardware wallet: a credit card-sized, EAL6+ certified card that stores your private keys on a secure chip and signs transactions when you tap it to your phone. It has no screen, battery, cable, or Bluetooth, and it works with the Solflare mobile app over NFC. You can set it up in three ways: create a new wallet on the card, import an existing Shield recovery phrase onto a new card, or pair a Shield you already use with a new phone.

#### Before you start

* A Solflare Shield in sealed packaging from the Solflare webshop or an authorized reseller. Get one on the [Solflare Shield page](https://www.solflare.com/hardware-wallet/). Do not use a card if the seal or box looks opened or damaged; see [How to spot tampered packaging](https://help.solflare.com/en/articles/13844707).
* The [Solflare app](https://app.solflare.com/WVZY/solflare_docs) on an iPhone or Android phone with NFC turned on.
* The recovery phrase sheet from the box, and a pen.

{% hint style="info" %}
Hold the Shield flat against the back of your phone whenever the app asks you to scan it. On most phones, the NFC reader sits near the top or the middle of the back.
{% endhint %}

#### How to open the Shield setup

**New to Solflare:** open the app and tap **Solflare Shield** on the welcome screen.

**Already using Solflare:** tap the account switcher on the Portfolio tab, tap **+ Add wallet**, then **Connect hardware wallet** and choose **Solflare Shield**.

![Solflare mobile Add wallet menu with Import existing wallets and Connect hardware wallet](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/d5bf0fji/2589726218/0febb1e720b798db8e5f7be159f8/image.png)

Then scan your card. Solflare asks whether to **Create New** or **Import Existing**.

#### Option 1: Create a new wallet on your Shield

Use this option for a brand-new Shield and a brand-new wallet.

1. Open the Shield setup, scan your card, and choose **Create New**.

![Solflare welcome screen with Solflare Shield option, Scan your Solflare Shield screen, and Create new or Import existing choice](https://www.solflare.com/wp-content/uploads/bf-advanced-images/13281/app-guide-how-to-get-and-use-the-solflare-shield-step-1-4-800x0.webp)

2. Tap **Show** and write your 12-word recovery phrase on the recovery sheet from the box. Complete the quick check that you wrote it correctly. **This is the only time the phrase is shown.** You cannot view or export it later. Do not screenshot it, save it on your phone, or upload it to the cloud.

![Solflare Shield recovery phrase screen with Write it down and Show](https://www.solflare.com/wp-content/uploads/bf-advanced-images/13282/app-guide-how-to-get-and-use-the-solflare-shield-step-2-3-800x0.webp)

3. Set a 6-digit card PIN. The PIN protects the card itself and is different from your app passcode. You need it, together with a tap of the card, to sign transactions.

![Set your card PIN screen for Solflare Shield](https://www.solflare.com/wp-content/uploads/bf-advanced-images/13283/app-guide-how-to-get-and-use-the-solflare-shield-step-3-3-800x0.webp)

4. Tap **Scan to confirm** and hold the card to your phone again. This writes your keys to the card and links it to the Solflare app.

![Confirm your card screen with Scan to confirm](https://www.solflare.com/wp-content/uploads/bf-advanced-images/13284/app-guide-how-to-get-and-use-the-solflare-shield-step-4-3-800x0.webp)

5. Accept the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your Shield wallet now appears in Solflare.

![You're all set screen after creating a Solflare Shield wallet](https://www.solflare.com/wp-content/uploads/bf-advanced-images/13285/app-guide-how-to-get-and-use-the-solflare-shield-step-5-2-800x0.webp)

#### Option 2: Import an existing Shield recovery phrase onto a new Shield

Use this option to restore a lost, damaged, or erased Shield, or to make a second card for the same wallet.

1. Open the Shield setup, scan the new card, and choose **Import Existing**.

![Solflare welcome screen and Scan your Solflare Shield screen for importing a recovery phrase](https://www.solflare.com/wp-content/uploads/bf-advanced-images/13286/app-guide-how-to-get-and-use-the-solflare-shield-step-1-5-800x0.webp)

2. Type your 12-word recovery phrase in the correct order, separated by spaces. The private keys are stored only on the Shield.

![Enter your recovery phrase screen for Solflare Shield](https://www.solflare.com/wp-content/uploads/bf-advanced-images/13287/app-guide-how-to-get-and-use-the-solflare-shield-step-2-4-800x0.webp)

3. Set and confirm a 6-digit card PIN.
4. Scan the card again when asked to finish the setup.
5. Solflare shows how many wallets with assets it found. Tap **Import all**, or tap **Advanced** to choose specific wallets.

![Import wallets screen showing wallets with assets found, Import all and Advanced](https://www.solflare.com/wp-content/uploads/bf-advanced-images/13290/app-guide-how-to-get-and-use-the-solflare-shield-step-5-3-800x0.webp)

6. Accept the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your assets now appear in Solflare, with the keys on the new card.

#### Option 3: Pair your Shield with a new phone

Use this option when you already have a working Shield and want to use it on another phone. The Shield keeps its keys, so you do not need the recovery phrase.

1. Open the Solflare app on the new phone, tap **Solflare Shield** on the welcome screen, and scan your card.

![Solflare welcome screen with Solflare Shield button and Scan your Solflare Shield screen](https://www.solflare.com/wp-content/uploads/bf-advanced-images/13276/app-guide-how-to-get-and-use-the-solflare-shield-step-1-3-800x0.webp)

2. Enter your 6-digit card PIN.

![Enter your card PIN screen](https://www.solflare.com/wp-content/uploads/bf-advanced-images/13277/app-guide-how-to-get-and-use-the-solflare-shield-step-2-2-800x0.webp)

3. Tap **Import all** or **Advanced** to choose specific wallets.
4. Turn on biometrics if you want to approve transactions with your face or fingerprint instead of typing the PIN. You can also do this later.

![Enable biometrics screen for Solflare Shield](https://www.solflare.com/wp-content/uploads/bf-advanced-images/13279/app-guide-how-to-get-and-use-the-solflare-shield-step-4-2-800x0.webp)

5. Accept the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your Shield is now paired with the new phone.

#### How signing works with Solflare Shield

Every action that moves funds, such as sending, swapping, or staking, needs a tap of the Shield plus your card PIN or biometrics. The private keys never leave the card's secure chip; the app only reads the public data it needs to show your accounts. Use your Shield wallet for long-term holdings, and keep a separate hot wallet in Solflare for everyday use if you like.

#### If you lose your Shield

Your funds are safe as long as your recovery phrase is safe. A lost or stolen card is useless without the PIN, and it locks itself after three wrong PIN attempts. To get your funds back, get another Solflare Shield of any edition and use Option 2 to import your recovery phrase. See [Will I lose my crypto if I lose Solflare Shield?](https://help.solflare.com/en/articles/13177053)

Solflare Shield is designed to work with the Solflare app. Using it with other wallet apps is not supported and may cause loss of access to your funds. More answers are in the [Solflare Shield Help Center](https://help.solflare.com/en/collections/17368617) and the full guide, [How to get and use the Solflare Shield](https://www.solflare.com/guides/how-to-get-and-use-the-solflare-shield/).