Recovery Options
The Unstoppable App provides multiple recovery methods for its Smart Contract Wallet. These methods ensure that users can maintain access to their funds even if they lose their device or face other unforeseen circumstances that restrict account access.
Key Concepts
It's important to understand two key roles in the Unstoppable Smart Contract Wallet:
Operator: This is typically your phone, which holds the biometric public key to the deployed smart contract wallet. It handles day-to-day transactions and routine operations.
Owner: This role holds ultimate control over the smart contract wallet. By default, your phone serves as both Operator and Owner. However, you have the option to designate a separate Owner for enhanced security.
Important: If no separate Owner is set, your phone (as the Operator) retains full ownership rights of the wallet. This means that in the default configuration, your phone has complete control over the wallet and losing it becomes a single point of failure.
Recovery Options
The Unstoppable Smart Contract Wallet offers three primary recovery methods: Ownership Recovery, Inheritance Recovery, and Social Recovery.
Ownership
Lost Device Access
Fund Recovery
Immediate access through secondary wallet
Inheritance
Long-term absence
Owner Change
Automated ownership transfer after inactivity
Social
Lost Owner Access
Owner Change
Requires multiple parties to change the owner
1. Ownership Recovery
Ownership Recovery involves setting up a separate wallet that you control as the Owner. This method is designed for scenarios where you've lost access to your device. It allows for fund recovery by providing immediate access through a secondary wallet, even if you lose access to your primary device.
Key aspects:
Separate wallet set up as Owner
Recover funds from the smart contract wallet or change the owner
Recommended to use a cold or multisig wallet as the Owner
Owner cannot be removed by the Operator once set
Use-case: You lose your phone or it gets stolen. With Ownership Recovery set up, you can use your secondary wallet (the Owner) to immediately access and secure your funds.
2. Inheritance Recovery
Inheritance Recovery allows you to designate an heir who can claim ownership of your wallet after a specified period of inactivity. This method is particularly useful in cases of long-term absence, facilitating an owner change through automated ownership transfer after a period of inactivity.
Key aspects:
Change the Owner after a set period of inactivity time
Customizable inactivity period (for example 90 days)
Inactivity timer reset by on-chain interaction or transaction signing in the app
Use-Case: You want to ensure your assets are transferred to a designated heir in case of unforeseen circumstances. Inheritance Recovery allows for automatic transfer of ownership after the set inactivity period, ensuring your assets remain accessible to the new owner.
3. Social Recovery
Social Recovery leverages your trusted network for account recovery. This method is useful when you've lost access to your owner wallet and need to change the owner. It requires multiple parties to authorize the change, providing an additional layer of security.
Key aspects:
Change the Owner with a confidence vote by your social recovery contacts
Multiple designated trusted social contacts (e.g. 5 wallets)
Customizable threshold for recovery authorization (e.g. 3 out of 5)
Dispute timeframe for existing owner wallet to abort recovery process (for example 7 days)
Use-Case: You've lost access to your backup owner wallet. With Social Recovery, you can reach out to your trusted contacts (like family members or close friends) who can collectively authorize a change of ownership to a new wallet you control, ensuring you regain access to your funds.
For your protection, if no recovery method is set for your account, the Unstoppable Operations Multisig automatically becomes the heir via the inheritance recovery option after 90 days of inactivity. This means that in the unfortunate case you lose access to your account before setting a recovery option, you can contact support after 90 days, and we'll guide you through the process to recover your funds.
Recommendation
Each recovery method offers unique benefits and is suited for different scenarios. We strongly recommend implementing at least one method immediately after creating your wallet. For maximum security, consider using multiple methods. Regularly review and update your recovery settings, and always store recovery-related information securely. Your choice of recovery method(s) should align with your personal circumstances and technical comfort level. By properly setting up these recovery options, you can ensure the safety and accessibility of your assets, even in unforeseen circumstances.
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