Security of Using Biometrics in Guarda
Using Face ID, Touch ID, or fingerprint authentication can save you from entering your Guarda password every time you open the wallet. But what exactly happens when you use biometrics, and does Guarda get access to your fingerprint or face data? Biometric authentication happens through your device. Guarda asks the operating system to verify you, and the device returns the result of that check. Your biometric authentication works as a convenient way to access Guarda on that device.
It doesn't replace your Guarda backup and password. You'll still need your recovery information if you need to restore your wallet elsewhere.
How Does Biometric Authentication Work in Guarda?
When you enable biometrics in Guarda, the wallet uses the biometric authentication available on your device.
The process looks roughly like this:
- You open Guarda.
- Guarda requests biometric authentication from your device.
- Your device checks your fingerprint or face using its biometric system.
- If the check succeeds, Guarda unlocks.
In other words, Guarda doesn't need to perform facial or fingerprint recognition itself. The device handles the biometric check and tells the application whether authentication succeeded. This also means that biometric security depends partly on your device, its operating system, and the authentication methods you've configured there.
Does Guarda Store My Fingerprint or Face?
Guarda doesn't use your fingerprint or face as wallet recovery information. It simply doesn’t have access to it. Biometric authentication relies on the biometric system provided by your device, so it protects access to Guarda on the device where you enable it. Biometrics don't change how your crypto is stored on the blockchain, replace your private keys, or become another way to recover the wallet on a different device.
Here's the basic difference:
| Security method | What it does |
|---|---|
| Biometrics | Provides convenient access to Guarda on the device |
| Password | Protects access to your encrypted Guarda backup |
| Guarda backup | Restores the supported wallets included in your Guarda setup |
| Recovery phrase | Restores wallets derived from that recovery phrase |
| Private key | Provides access to an individual wallet |
If you lose your device or start using Guarda somewhere else, you can't transfer your fingerprint or Face ID authentication to another Guarda installation as a recovery method. You use your wallet recovery information instead.
Biometrics don't replace your password, backup, recovery phrase, or private keys. Never delete or stop protecting your recovery information just because you've enabled Face ID or fingerprint authentication.
Is Using Biometrics Safer Than Entering a Password?
Biometrics and passwords have different jobs. For everyday use, biometrics can reduce how often you need to type your Guarda password. This is useful when you regularly access the wallet from the same device. It also keeps you from typing your password in public or semi-public places.
At the same time, biometric authentication relies on the security of that device. Anyone who can successfully authenticate through an authorized method on the device may potentially get past applications that rely on that authentication.
That's why enabling biometrics doesn't make the rest of your wallet security irrelevant. Keep control of your device and continue protecting your Guarda password and recovery information even when you use biometrics.
How to Enable Biometrics in Guarda
You can enable biometric authentication from Guarda settings on a supported device. Guarda provides biometric access through Passkey Unlock. Your passkey is stored through the option you select, while your device handles biometric verification.
In Guarda Web:
- Open Settings in Guarda.
- Go to Passkey unlock.
- Choose iCloud or Password manager and enable biometric authentication.
- Complete the authentication requested by your device.
Once enabled, Guarda can use the device's biometric authentication when you access the wallet.
In Guarda Mobile, the path is much shorter. When you log in, Guarda asks if you want to enable biometrics before you enter your usual password. If you skip this prompt, you can enable biometrics later in Guarda settings.
What If I Can’t Use Biometrics to Access My Wallet?
Biometrics make it easier to unlock Guarda on your device, but they don't replace your wallet backup or password. If you lose your device, change devices, or can no longer use biometric authentication, you'll need your wallet access information to restore access.
For example, if you restore your wallet from a backup, you'll also need the password used to encrypt that backup. You can learn how to do that here: How to Recover Your Wallet: Backup, Recovery Phrase, and Private Keys. Guarda doesn't store your backup or password and can't recreate them for you if you lose them.