A Coldcard is built to be used offline: no Bluetooth, no Wi-Fi, a microSD card and QR or NFC instead. That makes it very private and it also means the physical parts, the keys, the card slot, the ports, do all the work. When one of them wears out, the device can look dead while the keys inside are perfectly fine.
Blue Apple repairs Coldcard hardware wallets at Rijnstraat 76-H in Amsterdam. Every model has its own page with the repairs we offer for it: start at the Coldcard repair page.
What usually goes wrong with Coldcard hardware wallets
- Keypad or keys that do not respond. The Mk4 is operated with a numeric keypad and the Q with a full keyboard. Worn, sticky or dirty keys, or a contact that has lifted, make it impossible to enter a PIN.
- MicroSD slot problems. Signing transactions via microSD depends on a slot that holds the card firmly. A loose or damaged slot gives read errors on a card that works elsewhere.
- USB-C port that no longer powers or connects. Plugging in and out wears the port. A Coldcard that only works at an angle on a cable has a port that is coming loose.
- Screen faults. Lines, missing pixels or a blank display after a drop or pressure in a bag.
- Battery compartment and contacts on the Q. The Q can run on batteries as well as USB power. Corroded contacts or a damaged compartment stop it from starting on batteries.
The Coldcard models we repair
Every model below has its own page, with the repairs we offer for it and what each one costs.
Repair or replace?
A Coldcard owner usually has a careful seed backup. If you do, restoring it on a new device is simple and often cheaper than a repair. If you do not, a repair may be the only way in, and then it matters that the device is opened carefully. Know too that a Coldcard is designed to destroy its secrets after too many wrong PIN attempts, so never let anyone try codes: no repair can reverse that.
Looking after your Coldcard
- Never hand over your seed or PIN. Not to a repair shop, not to anyone who calls you. We do not ask for either.
- Keep the microSD card clean. Dirt on the card or in the slot is the first cause of read errors.
- Keep the batteries fresh on a Q. Remove old batteries before they leak.
How a repair works at Blue Apple
Open your model on the Coldcard repair page, choose the repair and you see the price straight away. You can bring it to our workshop at Rijnstraat 76-H in Amsterdam, have it collected (pickup and delivery) or send it by post. If your fault is not in the list, the custom repair form lets you describe it, and we come back with a price before any work starts.
Questions about Coldcard repair
Can you unlock a Coldcard if I forgot the PIN?
No. A Coldcard is designed so that nobody, including us, can get around the PIN. If you have your seed backup, you can restore the wallet on a new device.
Do you repair the Coldcard Q as well?
Yes, both Mk4 and Q are on the Coldcard page, each with its own repairs.
In short
A Coldcard's keys, slot, port and screen can be repaired, but the real safety net is your seed backup, so check that first. See the Coldcard repair page for the models and repairs, or send us a request. You will find us at Rijnstraat 76-H in Amsterdam, and you can call 020 239 11 93 with a question first.
