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Basic, Advanced & Shamir Modes
W2QR offers three security levels. Choose the one that fits your needs. The encrypted data can come from any source (scan, upload, or Google Drive) — that choice is independent of the security mode.
Basic Mode — QR + Password
Basic mode encrypts your seed phrase with your password using honey encryption. The resulting QR code is your backup. To restore, you need the QR and your password — nothing else.
How it works: Your password goes through Argon2id (64 MB memory, 3 iterations), producing a key that is XOR-mixed with your mnemonic entropy. Every password produces a valid mnemonic — there is no way to tell which one is correct without checking the blockchain.
Advanced Mode — QR + Password + Authorization Factor
Advanced mode adds a 256-bit authorization secret (S) to the encryption. To unlock your wallet, you need your password plus one of three authorization methods:
Shamir Shares Mode — M-of-N Distributed Custody
Shamir Shares mode splits your mnemonic entropy into N shares using Shamir Secret Sharing, then honey-encrypts each share independently with its own password. Each share becomes a standalone QR code or encrypted text string.
Password modes: Choose one password for all shares (simpler) or individual passwords per share (stronger — ideal when different people hold different shares).
When to use which?
| Scenario | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Quick backup, comfortable with strong passwords | Basic |
| Long-term storage, high-value wallets | Advanced |
| Worried about forgetting the password | Advanced (disaster recovery) |
| No Google account, no biometric device | Basic |
| Completely offline / air-gapped setup | Basic |
| Multi-party custody (family, team, DAO) | Shamir Shares |
| Geographically distributed backups | Shamir Shares |
| Inheritance / dead man's switch | Shamir Shares |
Can I upgrade later?
Yes. You can upgrade a Basic QR to Advanced at any time. Open your Basic QR, and W2QR will offer to upgrade it — generating a new Advanced QR with the same seed phrase. Your old Basic QR continues to work. You can also create Shamir Shares from an existing mnemonic at any time.
Disaster Recovery (Advanced only)
Advanced mode creates a recovery safety net using Shamir Secret Sharing. A recovery root (R) is split into 3 shares distributed across your Google Account (R1), your device (R2), and your Recovery Code (R3). Any 2 of the 3 can recover your wallet — even if you forget your password. Note: Shamir Shares mode does not include this recovery system — the shares themselves are the only backup.