What is SLIP39
SLIP39(Shamir's Secret-Sharing for Mnemonics)is a standard proposed by SatoshiLabs. It manages mnemonics using "shares" and a "threshold" mechanism:
Shares: One mnemonic can be divided into multiple shares.
Threshold: To recover the wallet, at least N shares must be provided to regenerate the master key.
For example: if you set 5 shares with a threshold of 3, any 3 shares can recover the wallet. This effectively prevents the risk of losing or exposing a single mnemonic and is suitable for personal, family, or team multi-party custody scenarios.
OneKey Pro has supported the SLIP39 standard since version 4.15.0. This tutorial demonstrates creating and restoring a SLIP39 wallet using OneKey Pro.
1. Create a SLIP39 Wallet
Prerequisites
A brand new OneKey hardware wallet, or a hardware wallet that has been reset.
Steps
Power on and initialize
After powering on, select "Create a new wallet".
Set the hardware wallet's PIN code.
Choose the mnemonic type
The device will display the mnemonic (recovery phrase).
Tap the "12 words" option in the top-right corner.
In the pop-up interface select: the "Multiple shares" option under the 20-word backup type
Set the number of shares and threshold
Number of shares: How many different SLIP39 mnemonic sets to generate.
Threshold: The minimum number of mnemonic shares required to recover the wallet.
For example: setting the "number of shares" to 5 and the "threshold" to 3 means any 3 out of the 5 shares can recover the wallet.
Confirm security notices
Read the precautions carefully and check to confirm.
Back up the mnemonic shares
The system will display multiple SLIP39 mnemonic sets in sequence and prompt you to verify them one by one.
Write them down completely on paper; do not photograph or store them on networked devices.
It is recommended to store different mnemonic shares in separate secure locations.
2. Restore a SLIP39 Wallet
Prerequisites
A brand new OneKey hardware wallet, or a hardware wallet that has been reset.
Steps
Power on and choose restore
On the initialization screen click "Import wallet" → "Recovery phrase".
Set the PIN code.
Select mnemonic type
On the import type screen select "20 words".
Enter mnemonic shares
Enter the number of mnemonic shares that matches the threshold set during creation.
For example: if you set 5 shares, threshold 3 when creating the wallet, entering any 3 of the shares will restore the full wallet.
Complete the recovery
Once the system verifies successfully, the wallet is ready to use.
Recommendations
Distribute storage: Avoid keeping all shares in the same location.
Practice regularly: It is recommended to periodically attempt a recovery to ensure the mnemonic shares are recorded correctly.
Allocation strategy: Consider entrusting shares to different family members or colleagues to improve security.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I recover with fewer than the threshold shares?
A: No, you must meet the set threshold to recover.
Q: Why is SLIP39 recommended?
A: It reduces the risk of a single mnemonic being exposed while increasing backup flexibility, making it suitable for users with high security needs.