How to set up a Coldcard for multisig
If you have an existing singlesig wallet that was previously set up with its seed phrase properly documented, review the below steps, check all the necessary boxes, and proceed to the next section.
Open the box and familiarize yourself
- The device itself
- a Wallet Backup Card
Power your device and begin setup
Connect your Coldcard directly to power for airgapped setup, or to a computer for a direct connection (Mk4)
Terms of service will display. Press the Checkmark button or Enter button (referred to as the “OK” button) to advance.
.png)
Your Coldcard will display a bag number. Compare it to the number on the barcode of the bag which the Coldcard came in. If all is well, proceed to the next step.
Set up a PIN
- Your Wallet Backup Card
- A pen
- A private setting in which to perform these steps
Press OK on Choose PIN code.
The Coldcard will explain how the PIN works. Press the down arrow button to scroll down and read the full message.
Your Coldcard PIN will have two parts, with the first part called the prefix and the second part called the suffix. Each part can be 2 - 6 numbers, for a total of 4 - 12 numbers.
.png)
When you reach the bottom of the message, press OK to move on.
A second message will display, explaining how Coldcard PINs work. Use the down arrow button to scroll down and read this full message as well.
Coldcard PINs work differently than other devices. If your PIN is forgotten, the Coldcard is useless and you’ll need to buy a replacement device. There is a place on your Wallet Backup Card to write both parts of your PIN.
You will be asked to press a specific number button on your Coldcard to confirm you’ve read the message. Do so.
Enter the PIN prefix (first part only) with the number buttons on your Coldcard. Press OK when done.
The Coldcard will display two anti-phishing code words. Press OK once you’ve record the anti-phishing words in the boxes of your wallet backup card.
Enter the PIN suffix (second part only) with the number pad. Press OK when done.
Repeat the entire PIN process for confirmation.
Back up your seed phrase
- Your Wallet Backup Card
- A pen
- A private setting in which to perform these steps
Use the OK button to select New seed words.
The Coldcard may explain seed phrase security—press OK after reading.
Choose either 12 or 24 seed phrase words—they are both secure. Ignore dice roll options—we do not recommend them for new users.
The order and spelling of the words matter, but capitalization does not. It’s possible to receive the same word more than once. If your booklet has space for 20 words while your device only provides 12 words, that’s fine (leave 13-20 blank).
Your Coldcard will begin to show you your seed phrase words. Scroll up or down using the arrow buttons to see them all.
Take your time carefully writing the words onto your seed phrase backup card at the correct number location.
When finished, press the OK button.
Take a multiple choice quiz to confirm your seed phrase. Use the 1, 2, or 3 buttons to select the correct word based on what you wrote down.
Final configuration and steps
If you see Disable USB?, you can select OK to disable that as well.
Unless you have an older model such as a Coldcard Mk3, you can use your Coldcard with a direct connection to your computer rather than a MicroSD. See our guide to ensure you have the correct settings enabled for your Coldcard.
.svg)
