A Bitcoin hardware wallet you can use from your iPhone
Compare Blockstream Jade with BitBox02 Nova if you want to set up and use a Bitcoin wallet without a laptop. The important checks are signing support, the backup you can look after, and the complete purchase cost.
Documentation reviewed 25 September 2026. This is an early research comparison: we have not bought these devices, tested pairing, recovered a wallet or sent funds. These are ordinary official links; no affiliate commission is connected to this page.
Start with the task, then choose the device
The original question asks for an affordable, iPhone-compatible wallet to hold Bitcoin, avoiding an old laptop. The author already owns an unused Tangem and is uncertain about backups. That is a reason to understand the recovery process before buying again. A replacement does not remove that responsibility.
Our comparison uses the United States as a research market, not as a claim about the author’s location. Both suppliers document US delivery. Availability, shipping and the final amount still need checking for your address.
| Check | Blockstream Jade | BitBox02 Nova |
|---|---|---|
| Phone connection | Bluetooth pairing with the Blockstream app. The iOS guide covers creating a wallet and confirming the pairing code. | BitBoxApp on iOS 16 or later, using Bluetooth. The physical connection supplies power; it does not replace Bluetooth data communication on iPhone. |
| Recovery responsibility | Record and verify the recovery words offline. The manufacturer cannot recover them for you. | The standard setup creates a microSD backup. It is unencrypted by default and must be stored securely away from the device. Recovery words are also available. |
| Controls and power | Click-wheel and button, with a rechargeable battery. Charge it before setup. | Touch controls and a powered connection. Check the adapter for your iPhone port and that its case does not obstruct the connection. |
| Before ordering | Check the exact Jade model, available variant and delivered price; do not assume a Jade Plus price applies to the original Jade. | Choose Nova explicitly. The standard BitBox02 does not support iPhone. Bitcoin-only and Multi are separate editions that cannot be converted later. |
Sources: Jade iOS setup, Jade specifications, Nova setup and backup, BitBox compatibility and Nova editions.
Jade is worth comparing if you prefer physical buttons and a written recovery backup. Nova is worth comparing if its touch controls and microSD recovery workflow suit you. Neither preference establishes that one device is universally safer or easier.
Two details that can change the choice
Jade’s usual PIN unlock uses a service called a blind oracle through the companion app. This is part of its documented protection model, so a charged device alone does not establish an available unlock route. Blockstream describes alternatives, including direct recovery-phrase unlock, but they add operational choices. Read the oracle explanation before deciding whether this workflow suits you.
Nova’s microSD backup is convenient only if you can protect the card. It is sensitive recovery material, not a harmless settings file. Do not keep the only backup beside the wallet or copy it into ordinary cloud storage. Read the manufacturer’s backup instructions and plan for loss of the phone, wallet and backup separately.
Also distinguish mobile viewing from signing. Trezor’s current compatibility guide says Safe 3 and Safe 5 have limited iOS functions and need desktop or Android for signing. Safe 7 supports iOS through Bluetooth. Thus an inexpensive Safe 3 is not a substitute for full iPhone operation, while Safe 7 is another model to compare if its final price suits your budget.
Set a complete budget before replacing a wallet
Compare device price, shipping, applicable taxes, necessary adapters and any backup material you actually need. The original Jade page displayed US$67 during our review, but its extracted availability labels were mixed. Nova’s selected-model price was not exposed in the page text we read. We therefore cannot give a verified delivered-price winner or promise stock.
Use the Jade store, Nova store and BitBox shipping policy to obtain current totals. A price in an old discussion is not a current offer. If the existing wallet meets your requirements after you understand its backup process, another purchase may be unnecessary.
Check the receiving route before moving your Bitcoin
- Follow the manufacturer’s current setup instructions and install its official companion app. Compare pairing codes on both screens before confirming.
- Create and verify the backup offline. Never send recovery words to support or type them into a website. Follow the device’s recovery instructions if a recovery check is needed.
- Select the intended Bitcoin account. Jade also supports Liquid; a Liquid account is a different network. Match the exchange’s withdrawal network to the wallet account.
- Verify the receiving address on the hardware screen before using it. Review the sending service’s fee and minimum; the hardware purchase price does not cover exchange withdrawal charges.
- Consider a small first transfer that clears the minimum, allowing for its extra fee. Confirm receipt before sending more. Keep the old wallet and backups intact until your new setup is understood and verified.
These are preparation steps, not a record of tests we performed. A successful app installation does not prove pairing, recovery or a completed Bitcoin transfer.
Check the official Jade options · Check BitBox02 Nova editions