Learn how to set up, activate, and use the Solflare Shield — a tap-to-sign hardware wallet that brings simple, mobile-first cold storage to your Solflare app.
The Solflare Shield is Solflare’s hardware wallet: a tap-to-sign, mobile-first cold wallet card that gives you true hardware-level security without the cables, apps, or friction of traditional devices.
It brings the best parts of both worlds together:
Whether you’re staking, holding long-term, or securing larger amounts, the Solflare Shield makes self-custody simple, affordable, and built for everyday mobile use.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
Let’s get into it.
The Solflare Shield is available directly through the Solflare Mobile app and the official Solflare website.
Ordering is fast, simple, and designed so you can start using your Shield as soon as it arrives.
Here’s what you need to know before you pick one up.
The Shield comes in three editions, all offering the same secure hardware. The only difference is what it says about you.
The Origin model is the purest form of Solflare Shield:
Best for: first-time hardware wallet users, long-term holders, and anyone upgrading their security without breaking the bank.
Best for: collectors, community members, and users who want hardware security with a personal touch.
Best for: power users, creators, and anyone who wants a one-of-a-kind hardware wallet.
Every Solflare Shield package comes with:
This is everything you need to create your vault wallet and activate the card inside the Solflare mobile app.
Setting up the Solflare Shield takes just a few minutes. You’ll do everything inside the Solflare Mobile app, and once you’re done, your vault wallet will be ready to use instantly.
Below is the full setup flow, whether you’re creating a new Solflare Shield hardware wallet, importing an existing recovery phrase onto a new Shield, or pairing your Shield with a new device.
This option creates a brand-new vault wallet directly on your Solflare Shield.
If you are new to Solflare, download the app and tap “Solflare Shield” on the initial home screen.
If you already use Solflare go to “My wallets” → “Edit”→ “Add Wallet” → “Connect Solflare Shield”.
Scan your card with your phone by holding it against the back of the phone.
You’ll see two options:
Choose Create New.
Your Solflare Shield will generate a new 12–word recovery phrase (stored offline in the secure element).
Write it down on the recovery sheet included in the box (or on any other piece of paper)
Do not:
Solflare will guide you through a quick verification step to ensure you wrote everything correctly.
This is the first and only time your recovery phrase will be visible. You can’t see it or export it any time after this, so make sure to write it down and keep it safe!
Create a PIN that (alongside you tapping your Solflare Shield) will be required for:
Choose something memorable but not easily guessable.
You can also enable biometrics to make signing transactions even more secure and simple by just pressing your finger on the screen or showing your face.
You’ll be prompted to tap your Solflare Shield to the back of your phone using NFC.
This links your hardware wallet to your Solflare Mobile app. Your private keys stay inside the Shield and the app only reads public data needed to display your accounts.
After the pairing succeeds, you’ll see your hardware wallet account. You can manage it inside the Solflare app.
You’re now using true cold storage through a familiar Solflare experience.
If you already have a Solflare Shield hardware wallet card but you want to duplicate it or restore a lost (or erased) one, you can import an existing recovery phrase onto a new Shield card .
If you are new to Solflare, download the app and tap “Solflare Shield” on the initial home screen.
If you already use Solflare go to “My wallets” → “Edit”→ “Add Wallet” → “Connect Solflare Shield”.
Scan your card with your phone by tapping it to the back.
You’ll see two options:
Choose Import Existing.
Carefully type your existing 12-word seed phrase into the app. This restores access to your wallet, while your private keys will still only live on the Shield.
Create a PIN that (alongside you tapping your Solflare Shield) will be required for:
Choose something memorable but not easily guessable.
You can also enable biometrics to make signing transactions even more secure and simple by just pressing your finger on the screen or showing your face.
Tap your Shield to the back of your phone when prompted. This links the hardware wallet to your Solflare app and makes it ready for signing.
Solflare will show you the number of wallets connected to your Solflare Shield.
Tap “Import all” or go to “Advanced” if you want to choose the exact wallets you want to import.
After the import, your assets will appear in your Solflare wallet app. You can now manage the wallet inside Solflare while keeping your private keys safely locked inside your hardware wallet card.
If you have a new phone, logged out of Solflare or removed your Solflare Shield wallet card from your the Solflare app, you will need to pair your existing Solflare Shield to your device.
Open the Solflare app and tap “Solflare Shield” on the initial home screen.
Scan your card with your phone by tapping it to the back.
Enter the 6-digit PIN you created for your Solflare Shield when you first set it up.
Solflare will show you the number of wallets connected to your Solflare Shield.
Tap “Import all” or go to “Advanced” if you want to choose the exact wallets you want to import.
Add your fingerprint or a face scan to skip the PIN and approve transactions faster. You can do this later as well.
Your Solflare Shield is now successfully paired with your device.
You can now manage your hardware wallet account inside Solflare while keeping your private keys safely locked inside your hardware card.
Once your Shield is set up, using it becomes second nature. Your vault wallet “lives” inside the Solflare Mobile app, and the Shield acts as your secure signing device anytime you perform sensitive actions like staking, swapping, sending, or managing tokens. The private keys are safely stored on the card’s chip, away from any threat.
It’s cold storage you can actually use.
Learn exactly how Soflare Shield works: Introducing Solflare Shield – Solflare’s Hardware Wallet
Below are the everyday flows you’ll use most often.
Every transaction follows the same simple flow:
Your private key never leaves the Shield. Only the signed transaction is sent to the blockchain.
Here’s how to send cypto from your Solflare Shield to another wallet:
Done. Your funds are sent securely with hardware-level protection.
Staking is one of the most common reasons users upgrade to cold storage.
To stake:
Receiving requires no signature. Just share your vault wallet address. Solflare shows it clearly in QR, text, or copy format.
Because receiving is passive, your Shield does not need to be tapped.
Apart from sending, receiving and staking crypto, Your Solfare Shield hardware wallet can be used for anything you use your regular hot wallet for:
Every action follows the same approval process.
You get the convenience of a hot wallet with the protection of a cold wallet.
Inside Solflare you can:
You do everything inside Solflare. The Shield only comes into play when security matters.
To get the most out of your Solflare Shield:
The Solflare Shield isn’t meant to replace your hot wallet – it’s meant to work alongside it, giving you cold-storage security when it matters most.
Here’s a simple way to decide when to use your Shield and when your hot wallet is all you need.
Your standard Solflare wallet (hot wallet) is perfect for:
Your Shield shines when the stakes are higher.
Losing the Shield does not mean losing access to your crypto.
Your cold wallet can always be restored using your 12-word recovery phrase.
If the Shield is lost, stolen, or destroyed:
Your funds remain safe because:
The Shield is just the device for storing your phrase and signing transactions. Your recovery phrase is your wallet’s backup.
The Solflare Shield brings hardware-level protection to everyone — without the complexity that usually comes with cold storage. With tap-to-sign simplicity, mobile-first design, and a secure element that never exposes your keys, it gives you true self-custody in a form that fits in your actual wallet.
Use your hot wallet when you want speed. Use your Shield when it really matters.
Together, they give you a complete setup: fast when you need it, secure when you want it, and always fully in your control.
Whether you’re staking, holding long-term, trading larger amounts, or just want extra peace of mind, the Solflare Shield turns crypto security into something simple and intuitive — no cables, no extra apps, no friction.
Get your Solflare Shield, pair it with your Solflare wallet and enjoy ultimate security.
