We are excited to introduce our next-generation hardware wallet. BitBox02 Nova is built on the security architecture and design philosophy pioneered by the original BitBox02, with big improvements in compatibility, security, build quality and overall user experience.
For the first time, a BitBox hardware wallet can be used with the new BitBoxApp on iPhone and iPad, making the BitBox02 Nova compatible with all major device platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iPhone and iPad!
Its new crystal-clear glass OLED display is more durable and resistant to scratches, improving the overall longevity and build quality, while also making content on the display easier to read.
The new EAL6+ certified Secure Chip ensures the physical security of the device to keep your coins safe years into the future, along with additional security improvements and our innovative Whisper communication protocol, built for strong privacy and security.
As of today, the BitBox02 Nova is available for pre-order and joins the original BitBox02 in our lineup of Swiss made hardware wallets. Learn more about what’s new in detail below.
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iPhone, meet Nova.
One of the most frequent requests we received from our users over the years was to make the BitBox02 compatible with iPhone and iPad. To enable communication between the BitBoxApp and BitBox device on Apple mobile devices, new hardware was needed – and now it’s here!
With the BitBox02 Nova, users can finally take control of their coins directly on iPhone or iPad. The BitBoxApp now runs natively on all major Apple devices, with every feature, toggle and settings option available on all of them. Whether you want to manage your wallet at your desk, from the comfort of your couch, or on your phone while travelling – the BitBox02 Nova has you covered, on every device.
App Store, meet the BitBoxApp.
The introduction of the BitBox02 Nova also marks the first release of the BitBoxApp in the Apple App Store. With newly improved navigation elements such as the new home navigation bar, enabling quick access to the portfolio overview, accounts and settings, the BitBoxApp is better than ever. It has been optimized for both iPhone and iPad, while retaining its clean and minimalist design our users love.
These improvements will also be featured in the Android version with the next BitBoxApp release.
Glass display
The new glass display is more durable and resistant to scratches, preserving the premium finish of the BitBox02 Nova for a longer period of time. It’s made to last – and to look and feel great at the same time!
The new glass display gives the Nova display an edge-to-edge design, as the entire front appears in a uniform and solid black. Once the display turns on, this improved contrast and the clear nature of the glass display also improves overall readability. It was never this easy to verify your addresses and transactions!
New color options
The BitBox02 Nova is available in new colors: Midnight Black and an all-new Polar White. Together with the solid black of the glass display, they create a unique and more premium look compared to BitBox02. It’s easy to notice the difference when holding the Nova in the hand for the first time!
The improved case design also enables us to release new color options more easily in the future.
EAL6+ certified Secure Chip
The BitBox02 Nova comes with a new Secure Chip by German manufacturer Infineon, the Optiga Trust M V3, which is EAL6+ certified – a top level industry standard for security. The EAL (Evaluation Assurance Level) is a system used to rank the level of protection against various security threats, with rigorous testing and verification in the evaluation process. Contrary to many other alternatives, this new Secure Chip is NDA-free, meaning that no non-disclosure agreements have to be signed to be able to learn more about it and read its documentation, improving transparency.
Just like with the original BitBox02, the dual-chip architecture ensures the open-source firmware stays separate from the Secure Chip, eliminating the need to blindly trust it. This combines the best of both worlds: Transparent and auditable firmware with the physical protection enforced by the Secure Chip.
The new Secure Chip also features a more strict protection against unauthorized attempts to unlock the device. Previously, the BitBox02 would reset to factory settings after 10 failed attempts of entering the device password through a firmware limit. Now, the new Secure Chip also enforces that same limit with a counter in the hardware, making physical attacks even more difficult.
Whisper
To address the tight restrictions imposed on USB communication by Apple, we have developed an innovative communication protocol called Whisper, focused on maximizing privacy and security. With Whisper, you can be sure that what you do on your BitBox02 Nova remains private, while still being compatible with security protocols such as Anti-Klepto. Let’s take a brief look at a few details:
- Authenticated and encrypted: We use the highest available security settings in the Bluetooth® Low Energy standard, which ensure connections are authenticated and end-to-end encrypted after pairing the device. In addition, the native end-to-end encryption from the BitBox firmware on the MCU to the BitBoxApp will also continue to be used on top of that, adding another layer of encryption to ensure your transaction details remain private.
- A separate chip: Our open-source Bluetooth firmware runs on a separate peripheral chip, completely segregated from the main open-source firmware and its memory. Because of this, Bluetooth communication is essentially comparable to using USB, and the main firmware does not have to trust it, similar to the existing dual-chip architecture.
- Low signal strength: When the BitBox02 Nova advertises itself to devices around it, the lowest viable signal strength is used, aiming for a very limited range. This means you can only detect and pair a device that is in close vicinity.
- Trustless pairing: To pair the BitBox02 Nova with the BitBoxApp for the first time, a pairing code both on-device and in the app must be confirmed, ensuring the user is in control of both devices, and the encryption is truly end-to-end.
- USB first: Once the BitBox02 Nova receives data from the BitBoxApp over USB, the Bluetooth chip will shut down and terminate any connection. Users who don’t need to use Bluetooth at all can even turn it off persistently with a firmware setting.
We will share more technical details about Whisper and the Bluetooth integration in an upcoming article, for those interested in learning more technical details about it.
Ready for the future
The BitBox02 Nova is here to stay. With an increased storage capacity, there is more space for new features and future improvements through firmware updates, keeping your coins secure and hardware up-to-date, years into the future.
The original BitBox02 will continue to be supported and improved even more with software. Looking back, the BitBox02 has already received countless free updates over the last five years, and we’re not stopping here. This makes both devices a great option to take control of your coins, depending on individual needs and budget.
The BitBox you already love
As you would expect, the BitBox02 Nova comes with all the core features and security aspects of the original BitBox02, including easy backups and recovery with microSD cards, optional passphrase and advanced security protocols such as anti-klepto – just to name a few.
Two editions
BitBox02 Nova will also be available in two firmware editions: The Multi edition, which can be used with altcoins and as a two-factor authenticator, and of course, the popular Bitcoin-only edition. With its radically reduced firmware, which cannot be downgraded, it can improve the security of your bitcoin even further.
Conclusion
We are incredibly excited to be able to share these news about BitBox02 Nova with you, and can’t wait for the first devices to be shipped to our customers in summer 2025. At this point, it’s time to say thank you to our users for the awesome support and feedback we have received over the years. You pushed us to work on BitBox02 Nova with passion and dedication!
Needless to say, if you have any questions on BitBox02 Nova, don’t hesitate to reach out to our support team!
FAQs
Can I switch from the BitBox02 to the BitBox02 Nova?
Yes, you can simply recover your existing wallet by entering the 12 or 24 recovery words or restoring from a microSD card backup on your new BitBox02 Nova. All accounts and their balance will be restored and you can keep using both devices, if you wish to do so.
Is the BitBox02 Nova glass display more scratch resistant?
Yes, the new glass display of the BitBox02 Nova is more durable and less prone to scratch. With its solid black and clear glass, the OLED display is even easier to read as well.
Do I need an iPhone with USB-C for BitBox02 Nova?
No, BitBox02 Nova can be used with any iPhone or iPad with a Lightning port running iOS 16 or later. A USB-C to Lightning adapter is included in the packaging, so you can directly plug it into your device.
Can the BitBox02 Nova be used over USB?
Yes, the BitBox02 Nova can be used like any other BitBox over USB with Windows, Mac, Linux and Android. Bluetooth is only required for use with iPhone or iPad, and automatically turned off otherwise.
When will the BitBox02 Nova be available?
BitBox02 Nova is available for pre-order right now, and the first devices will ship this summer.
Is the original BitBox02 still available?
Yes, the original BitBox02 joins the new BitBox02 Nova in our lineup of hardware wallets and will continue to be supported. You can choose which device is the best option for you, depending on feature requirements and budget.
Don’t own a BitBox yet?
Keeping your crypto secure doesn't have to be hard. The BitBox hardware wallets store the private keys for your cryptocurrencies offline. So you can manage your coins safely.
Both the BitBox02 Nova and the BitBox02 also come in a Bitcoin-only edition, featuring a radically focused firmware: less code means less attack surface, which further improves your security when only storing bitcoin.
Pre-order BitBox02 Nova or grab a BitBox02 in our shop!
Shift Crypto is a privately-held company based in Zurich, Switzerland. Our team of Bitcoin contributors, crypto experts, and security engineers builds products that enable customers to enjoy a stress-free journey from novice to mastery level of cryptocurrency management. The BitBox02, our second generation hardware wallet, lets users store, protect, and transact Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies with ease — along with its software companion, the BitBoxApp.
iPhone, iPad, iOS, iPadOS and macOS are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Bluetooth® is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and is used under license.