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Clone or Migrate a COLDCARD

Cloning a COLDCARD® securely transfers critical device data, such as seeds, multisig wallets, and settings, from an existing device (Source COLDCARD) to a new one (Empty COLDCARD).

This process, requiring physical access to both devices, is ideal for upgrading to a new model or creating a backup device. Data is transferred via MicroSD, and encrypted for security.

For a lost or damaged COLDCARD, use a secure backup or seed words instead. To clone COLDCARD Qs remotely, check out: Key Teleport.

Cloned Data#

What Does Transfer#

What Doesn't Transfer#

  • Main PIN: Yes, you can reuse your Main PIN, but that doesn't mean you should. The Empty COLDCARD's Main PIN has no connection to the Source COLDCARD's Main PIN.
  • Anti-phishing words: These are generated using a combination of properties unique to the individual device and its Main PIN prefix.
  • Passphrases: Your Source COLDCARD does not store your passphrase(s), so your new clone does not receive any information about them. You can, of course, apply your passphrase(s) as usual after cloning.
  • Login settings: Most of the Login Settings Menu options are not cloned, only Trick PINs are sent.
  • Hardware settings: Any settings found in the Hardware On/Off Menu will not transfer. Once the Empty COLDCARD applies the clone, all the hardware will be disabled for best security.
  • COLDCARD Co-Signing: The clone will not contain the COLDCARD Co-Signing seed (unless it's saved in the Seed Vault) or the policy, but it will contain the multisig wallet.
  • Virtual Disk: No files from the Source COLDCARD's Virtual Disk will be included in the clone.
  • Firmware: The firmware version of the Source COLDCARD will not be applied to the Empty COLDCARD. Upgrades can be applied to the Empty COLDCARD before cloning.

What You'll Need#

  • Two COLDCARDs:
    • The Source COLDCARD you want to clone.
    • The new, Empty COLDCARD to become a clone of the source.
  • Power sources:
  • 1 MicroSD card, 32 GB maximum capacity (Industrial Grade preferred).

About Power Sources

If you use a quick-connect magnetic USB cable, like our Power-Only USB Cable, make sure the COLDCARD and cable are placed on a flat surface to prevent accidental power disconnection during this process. The Empty COLDCARD must stay connected to power until cloning is complete.

How to Clone a COLDCARD#

clone coldcard diagram

Follow the steps in the dropdown below to clone your Source COLDCARD to an Empty COLDCARD using a MicroSD card. The process involves initializing the new device, exchanging encrypted data, applying the clone, and verifying the new device. Ensure both COLDCARDs have stable power sources and the SD card is ready before starting.

Steps to Clone a COLDCARD

Already verified the bag number, set up your Main PIN, and recorded your Main PIN and anti-phishing words? Jump to: Prepare the MicroSD Card.

Prepare the Empty COLDCARD#

  1. Power up the Empty COLDCARD. The COLDCARD will start and display this message:
By using this product, you are accepting our Terms of Sale and Use.

Read the full document at:
  coldcard.com/legal

Press OK to accept terms and continue.

2. Press ✔/ENTER to continue.

3. Read the message, verify the number shown at the top of the screen matches the number printed on your Empty COLDCARD's bag, and press ✔/ENTER.

4. Create the Main PIN.

Prepare the MicroSD Card#

Remain on the Empty COLDCARD to start the cloning process.

  1. Make sure the Empty COLDCARD will have continuous power until the process is finished, and power up if it's not already on.

  2. Enter the Main PIN.

  3. From the Main Menu, select Migrate Coldcard and read the message displayed.

    mk4 migrate q migrate

  4. Insert the MicroSD card in the Empty COLDCARD and press ✔/ENTER. A file will be written to the MicroSD card containing a public key that the Source COLDCARD will use to encrypt the cloned data.

    • For COLDCARD Q, insert the SD card in either Slot A or Slot B. If both slots have cards, the file is written to Slot A by default.

  5. Another message will display when the file is written. This message must remain on the screen of the Empty COLDCARD. Do not remove power, or press any keys, on the Empty COLDCARD.

    mk4 keep power q keep power

  6. Remove the SD card from the Empty COLDCARD, and set aside for now.

Maintain Continuous Power on Empty COLDCARD

Do not disconnect the Empty COLDCARD from power during cloning. Any power loss will invalidate the process, requiring you to restart from: Prepare the MicroSD Card. Use a reliable power source and ensure the cable is secure.

Clone the Source COLDCARD#

  1. Connect the Source COLDCARD to power and log in normally.

  2. Insert the SD card from the Empty COLDCARD.

  3. From the Main Menu of the Source COLDCARD, select: Advanced/Tools > Backup > Clone Coldcard.

    The Source COLDCARD will immediately encrypt the transferable data, save to the SD card, and show a message when complete.

    mk4 nav clone q nav clone

  4. Once the file is saved, remove the SD card. The Source COLDCARD has completed its part, you can power it down.

Load Cloned Data to the Empty COLDCARD#

  1. Back on the Empty COLDCARD, make sure the message is still on the screen:

    mk4 keep power q keep power

    • If the Empty COLDCARD has lost power at all during this process, or the message is no longer on the screen, you'll have to start over from: Prepare the MicroSD Card.

  2. Insert the MicroSD from the Source COLDCARD into the Empty COLDCARD and press ✔/ENTER. The COLDCARD will decrypt the cloned data, and then save/apply it. When complete you'll be presented the following text:

Your COLDCARD has been configured for best security practices:

- USB disabled
- NFC disabled
- VirtDisk disabled

You can change these under Settings > Hardware On/Off.

3. Hit ✔/ENTER to move on, and you'll see:

Success! Everything has been successfully restored.

We must now reboot to install the updated settings and seed.

4. Tap ✔/ENTER one more time to reboot the COLDCARD.

5. Log in to your new COLDCARD clone and enjoy!

Verify The Clone#

While the Source COLDCARD and the new clone COLDCARD are near each other, you can easily verify that both devices are using the same seed.

  1. Make sure both COLDCARDs are connected to power, and log in to each device.

  2. Select Advanced/Tools > View Identity on both devices.

    mk4 verify clone q verify clone

  3. Compare the 8-character Master Key Fingerprint (XFP) shown on each screen.

    Matching fingerprints prove that both COLDCARDs have the same identity. You can be confident the cloning was successful.

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