SolflarewalletSolflarewallet: signing with Solflare Shield
Solflare is a self-custody wallet for Solana. With its Shield hardware wallet, the mobile app provides the wallet interface, while the card holds the private signing key in a secure chip. An NFC tap between Shield and the phone confirms transaction signing.
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How the app and Shield work together
The Solflare mobile app provides setup guidance for creating and storing private keys directly on Shield. During use, the app supplies the interface for activities including token swaps, SOL staking, Solana DeFi applications, and NFT management. Shield provides hardware signing for the transactions that those activities require.
NFC means near-field communication, the connection between the card and the phone. The private key remains inside Shield's secure element during signing. Shield has no screen or buttons, so its confirmation method combines the mobile app with a physical card tap.
Shield's signing and recovery parameters
| Parameter | Solflare Shield |
|---|---|
| Companion interface | Solflare mobile app, with NFC communication between the phone and Shield. |
| Private-key storage | Inside the card's secure element, including during transaction signing. |
| Card controls | No screen or buttons; tap-to-confirm signing works through the mobile app. |
| Power and connections | No battery, charging, cables, or Bluetooth pairing. |
| Access protection | PIN protection; the card locks after three incorrect PIN attempts. |
| Recovery method | The wallet's recovery phrase restores access on another Solflare Shield, including a different Shield design. |
| Design choice | Origin, Signature, and Unique share the same security and tap-to-confirm functions; their designs differ. |
Card access and wallet recovery
The PIN protects use of the physical card. If the original Shield is lost and the recovery phrase has been kept secure, that phrase can restore wallet access on a replacement Shield. The recovery phrase can also be used across multiple Shields, allowing different card designs to provide access to the same wallet.
