Hidden wallet, empty after typo in passphrase

Suite issues Wallet issues
1

Hello! I have an issue with my hidden btc wallet, already searched in the forum but for this case I didnt find a solution.

Following problem;

  • tried to access hidden wallet
  • typo in passphrase and I guess accidentally I created a new hidden (empty) wallet
  • I double checked my passphrase for my btc hidden wallet in two sources (100% sure that I got the right passphrase now), but with correct phrase my hidden wallet is still empty when I try to access via trezor
  • on the block explorer I see my funds (BTC) … that’s the good news, still there
  • no firmware updates being made, access to hidden wallet was possible with the correct pass phrase some weeks ago (before the typo)

I got my seed for a non hidden wallet and the hidden one, plus the passphrase for the hidden one - all existing and 100% the right ones.

How can I access / recover my hidden wallet?

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2

Hi @prossi79,

From your description it appears that the problem may be related to the passphrase. Just to clarify, a passphrase is an additional word selected by the user to provide extra security to their funds. By entering the passphrase, you can access what is called a “passphrase wallet.”

Every passphrase you enter will open an unique passphrase wallet. To further expand on this point, if you enter a passphrase you think is the original but mistype one tiny detail, or add a space at the start or end, it will create an entirely new passphrase wallet.The crucial step is to find the passphrase wallet where your funds are stored. You can learn more about passphrases, including a video tutorial, in the article here: Passphrases and hidden wallets on Trezor hardware wallets

Passphrases typically consist of a word that holds personal significance to the user. It could be a term that first comes to your mind when you see the prompt to enter the passphrase. Sometimes, users use their Trezor PIN as a passphrase, or it might be a password used for other services. It could also be the name of a loved one or a pet, a place you have traveled to, or an important date in your life.

It is important to note that passphrases are case-sensitive, so be mindful of uppercase and lowercase letters. Passphrases can also contain spaces, including at the beginning or end of the word.

The only way to find your funds is to try as many combinations as possible. I understand it may seem like searching for a needle in a haystack, but the more combinations and options you try, the higher the chance of finding your wallet.

Summary and Checklist:

• Double-check for typos or misspellings in the passphrase.
• Ensure the correct use of uppercase and lowercase letters.
• Check for any spaces at the beginning or end of the word.
• Consider variations that hold personal significance (e.g., names, dates, places).
• Try using passwords or PINs you use for other services.
• Test multiple combinations and variations.

I kindly ask you to try as many phrases as possible and let me know if you were successful.

If you need any further assistance or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to open a ticket via our Chatbot Hal at Support | Trezor Knowledge Base

3

Hello Nick! I already tried the passphrase several times - I am 100% sure that it is the right one as I already used this hidden wallet a couple of weeks ago with the passphrase I have written down carefully on two different spots. Could there be any other reason for the malfunction? As said - I used a wrong one and possibly I created a new hidden wallet - could trezor maybe trying to access that one?

4

I believe you actually have to find a passphrase with a typo, instead of one that you believe is correct. Depending on where you made a mistake, it is possible the mistake is in the original one too.

5

okay, then I ask in a other way … if I created another hidden wallet by accident, Trezor is automatically matching each hidden wallet with the right passphrase?

→ hidden wallet 1 (which I try to access) → passphrase 1 (which I have noted very well and worked already=
→ hidden wallet 2 → passprhase 2 - wrong typed passphrase and confirmed to access an empty wallet … do I have created a new hidden wallet here? Maybe Trezor is trying to open that one with the passphrase 1?

6

Kind of but not really. There is no “matching” happening – rather, every possible passphrase is uniquely tied to a particular hidden wallet. Nothing new is created: by entering a passphrase, you are opening a hidden wallet that was always a part of your seed backup.

Think of the passphrase not as a combination to a vault (your hidden wallet).

Instead, the passphrase selects which vault, out of the billions of possibilities, you will be opening today.

If you enter passphrase A, you will work with wallet A. If you enter passphrase B, you will work with wallet B.

7

okay, makes sense …

could there be another reason for not accessing the hidden wallet? (apart from typo / wrong passphrase) I am 100% sure that I am using the correct passphrase. I browsed a bit through the trezor forum and read some people had “software” issues … firmware, trezor suite etc.

would it make sense to “reset” the trezor device and start from scratch? (seed and passphrase are available)

8

Okay … solved - you have been right, I has an mistake in my noted passphrase - lessons learned → check 10x such an important PW before you note it down :smiley:

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