Author

Topic: Spare GALAXY S5 as Hardware Wallet (Read 2021 times)

legendary
Activity: 1456
Merit: 1081
I may write code in exchange for bitcoins.
August 10, 2015, 06:40:12 PM
#15
I think it would be smarter to split your funds between paper wallets and your Trezor device. I guess nothing keeps you from keeping a small amount on your S5 though.

Surely nothing keeps him from keeping any amount on an S5.  But I thought that this thread would be about the technical details of the effort (this is the technical discussion board).  Seems like 90% of the posters in this thread just can't help saying "I don't like your idea".  But come'on, people, surely someone has a technical opinion if you want to hang out in this board.
legendary
Activity: 1078
Merit: 1024
August 10, 2015, 05:41:25 PM
#14
I think it would be smarter to split your funds between paper wallets and your Trezor device. I guess nothing keeps you from keeping a small amount on your S5 though.
legendary
Activity: 1456
Merit: 1081
I may write code in exchange for bitcoins.
August 10, 2015, 05:03:12 PM
#13
So far, all of the folks saying it's not a good idea haven't really said why it would or wouldn't work.

If I were going to do this, I would:

* Install Cyanogenmod and a propery recovery
* Go ahead and remove the radio blobs so the phone has no way to connect to cell phone networks

At this point, you're sure that you have a non compromised android.  You could then use Andreas Schildbach's bitcoin wallet for andoird as it's an open-source wallet you can check for issues.

Finally, it goes without saying that you'd want to make a backup of the entire device (but especially the private keys).

Okay, so, if this is not a good idea, lets hear why, not just "not a good idea".
legendary
Activity: 918
Merit: 1000
August 09, 2015, 05:21:30 AM
#12
There will be a risk.You can devide your risks but you can not decrease the total risk.It can be stolen, formatted or lost.

I do not recommend my way but I will just tell what I do.I have hired a safe (deposit box) at a local bank.I have my paper BTC wallets stored there.

Do I have a risk?Yes.If the bank is robbed or a fire takes place my investment is gone.
hero member
Activity: 560
Merit: 509
I prefer Zakir over Muhammed when mentioning me!
August 08, 2015, 04:30:46 AM
#11
not a good idea i think.
what if someone stole you phone?

What if someone stole your paper wallet? What if someone stole your hardware wallet(Trezor, Case, HW1 etc...)?
sr. member
Activity: 336
Merit: 250
August 08, 2015, 04:13:45 AM
#10
not a good idea i think.
what if someone stole you phone?
hero member
Activity: 560
Merit: 509
I prefer Zakir over Muhammed when mentioning me!
August 06, 2015, 08:58:26 AM
#9
If you are connecting to Internet, it may not be good to store huge amount of Bitcoins in a phone. Actually, IMHO, huge amounts of Bitcoins should be stored in cold storage even if you are a computer geek.

You must wipe your phone completely and start fresh. It's better not to install any app other than the wallet you are using.
sr. member
Activity: 322
Merit: 250
Verify my Bitcoin Address before EVERY transaction
August 06, 2015, 08:56:24 AM
#8
I would definitely agree using a paper wallet.... More secure plus much more smaller so you can easily hide it away (and forget about it xD)
sr. member
Activity: 294
Merit: 250
full member
Activity: 157
Merit: 103
Salí para ver
August 06, 2015, 08:36:29 AM
#6
I will only recommend that only if the S5 runs a full Linux distro natively. Android is a very dynamic OS, an update in his internal .apks or the OS itself can ruin everything your wallet does (permission things, connection capabilities, etc)
Another thing to considerate is a full backup routine, maybe every week or something like that. (and I don't know if that will break the "full autonomous hardware wallet" principles)
sr. member
Activity: 448
Merit: 251
August 05, 2015, 02:32:31 PM
#5
Phones aren't really great to use as hardware wallets. I would suggest using tezor, or alternatively you could send the 100 mBTC to a paper wallet for cold storage.
full member
Activity: 224
Merit: 100
August 05, 2015, 01:19:49 PM
#4
why not use the trezor?
full member
Activity: 160
Merit: 100
Love BTC!
August 05, 2015, 12:07:54 PM
#3
Yes, it wouldn't act as a phone since I have my phone it would be a hardware wallet which will be limited to BTC only I wouldn't install nothing more. I have my regular phone for daily use.

Thanks
legendary
Activity: 1148
Merit: 1014
In Satoshi I Trust
August 05, 2015, 12:05:54 PM
#2
i cant help you with that but just an adive:

splitting your funds would be more secure than putting 100BTC on your phone.
full member
Activity: 160
Merit: 100
Love BTC!
August 05, 2015, 11:59:58 AM
#1
Hi,

I am looking to create my own hardware wallet where I can store a good bunch of Bitcoins (100+ BTC) and also have the ability to transfer them fast qith QR codes. I have trezor which is something like this but I thought that it could be a good idea to do something with this spare S5 to create something secure.

How would you do this? I would need it to connect to the internet for transactions but how can I prevent being hacked since its android? Will an Iphone work better?

I know mycellium could do something like this, please be detailed on what is the best setup.

I like paper wallets but they become hard to spend sometimes if needed.

Thanks
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