How to turn your old phone into a hardware crypto wallet?

Similar to a physical wallet where you store and secure credit cards, money, and identity proofs, crypto wallets are used to keep private keys that are use to access your cryptocurrencies in a safe and secure manner. Crypto wallets allow the user to send and receive cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.

Crypto wallets are of different kinds such as hardware wallets which store your private keys in a USB stick type of device like Ledger Nano S, and software wallets like Coinbase wallets, Metamask wallets, etc which stores your private keys on cloud or in your mobile app. Private keys prove the ownership of your digital asset on a blockchain. If you lose your private keys or if it gets compromised, you will also lose your digital assets that are stored on the blockchain. That’s why it is very important to keep your crypto wallet safe and secured on a reliable wallet service platform.

MetaMask is one of the most popular software crypto wallet that stores your private keys in a browser extension on your desktop and in MetaMask app on your mobile device and it allows you to interact with Ethereum based blockchains and dApps. MetaMask crypto wallet is the simplest yet most secure way to connect to blockchain-based applications.

Recently, MetaMask tweeted about integrating with AirGap wallet, which is a more secure hardware crypto wallet. Through AirGap vault, users can easily convert a spare non usable smart phone into a hardware crypto wallet and use it to send and receive cryptocurrencies.

Turning your phone into hardware crypto wallet

Following steps will help you to connect your AirGap Vault with MetaMask wallet on your mobile device.

Step 1: Download the AirGap Vault Android app or iOS app from the app store.

Step2: Install & setup a MetaMask wallet on your PC browser and add the Metamask extension. You can add it by clicking the ‘Add to Chrome Button‘.

Step3: A pop up will emerge upon confirming the extension will be added at the top right corner of your Chrome Browser. Your browser will automatically install the MetaMask extension and installation will be proceeded.

Step 4: A new pop will come for choosing between a new wallet or importing the existing one. Chose a new wallet in case you don’t have any wallet and set up a strong alphanumeric password.

Step 5: A secret recovery phrase is prompted. You need to write it down or store it in your notes. This phrase is very important to operate your digital wallet. Confirm your seed phrase in the order on the next page (as shown below).

Your MetaMask wallet is created now.

Connecting MetaMask wallet with AirGap Vault

Step 1: Download the AirGap Vault app from the iOS app store or Android version on Google Play Store.

Step2: Create a new account incase you don’t have one and proceed.

Step3: Click on the ‘+’ plus icon at the bottom right corner and select the ETH.

Step4: Add the newly created Ethereum account or your existing ETH account.

Step5: Click the ‘Sync Icon’ and proceed in offline mode. The ‘Offline Mode’ option is at the bottom of the screen as shown below.

Step 6: Select the ‘MetaMask’ option from the dropdown box at the bottom.

Step7: On your PC browser, on Metmask Icon, Click on the right circle on top right corner (as shown in image) and select the ‘Connect hardware Wallet’. A QR-code Scan page will appear to scan the QR from the Vault.

Step 8: Scan the QR code and select the ETH account you want to chain with the Vault.

Your MetaMask wallet is tied up with AirGap Vault. Congratulations!

Also Read -Top 10 cryptos wallet in 2021

Now you can easily send or receive ETH through the AirGap Vault. Insert the recipient’s ETH address on the metamask wallet, input the desired amount you want to send. And scan the QR from your mobile device AirGap Vault app for successful transaction. After successful scanning your transaction will be completed. This might take few microseconds to reflect on your screen.