This article provides a step-by-step tutorial on how to restore your SafePal software wallet with your iCloud/Google Drive.
This feature is applicable ONLY to the software wallet/mobile App specific addresses, and is not provided for the SafePal hardware wallet (note that the software wallet feature is fully optional and the backup is stored in your Google Drive or iCloud if you choose to use this function; Safepal does NOT store or have access to any of your information, as stated here ).
To restore your SafePal software wallet from iCloud/Google Drive, it's necessary to have a backup first. You can find a guide on how to back up your SafePal software wallet to iCloud/Google Drive here.
If you have any questions about this feature, feel free to view the 'FAQ' list in this article or submit a ticket to us from here.
This article contains the following steps:
- Step 1 Get your SafePal App prepared
- Step 2 Restore your SafePal software wallet from your iCloud/Google Drive
- Step 3 Completed
Step1 Get your SafePal App prepared
The first step is to download the SafePal App from here, and set up the latest SafePal App V4.0.0 or above on your phone.
Step2 Restore your SafePal software wallet with iCloud/Google Drive
Launch your SafePal App and click 'Software Wallet'.
Click 'Restore with Google Drive' if you are using an Android phone. ( For iPhone users here it is 'Restore with iCloud').
Enter your security password to approve the SafePal software wallet recovery.
Navigate to the software wallet that you backed up to the iCloud/Google Drive before, and click on it.
Enter your backup password, and click 'Continue'.
Step3 Completed
Congratulations! Your SafePal software wallet recovery is completed. You can click 'Start Using Wallet' to use your software wallet now!
FAQs:
1. Does the mobile app feature to create a backup of my seedphrase compromise security? Does it affect the security of my SafePal S1 hardware wallet (since it is used with the mobile app?
No, this update is ONLY for the software wallet/mobile app specific addresses (note that the software wallet feature is fully optional and the backup is stored in the user’s Google Drive or ICloud if the user chooses to use the function; Safepal does NOT store or have access to user information, as stated here).
More importantly, the private key is stored in the Secure Element Chip of the SafePal S1 hardware wallet and does not leave the hardware wallet in any form. The function/ability does NOT exist for seed phrases for the hardware wallet addresses to be backed up or sent to Google Drive or ICloud — The hardware wallet firmware is separate and distinct from the software update, and SafePal will NEVER introduce a backup function for the hardware wallets or the hardware wallet firmware, and recommends users to store their seed phrases offline using the Cypher protector or on a piece of paper in a safe place. (Please refer to the guide on best security practices here).
2. What happens if my Google drive or iCloud gets hacked?
If your iCloud/GoogleDrive account gets hacked, the encrypted seed phrase backup file will be exposed to the hacker, but cannot be decrypted without the password configured by the user. In this case, the SafePal software wallet should still be safe.
As such it is NOT recommended to store any screenshots or text files of the corresponding passwords in the Google Drive or ICloud to prevent any security vulnerabilities (if the user’s ICloud or Google Drive is hacked).
