How to Delete a Wallet and Start Over

The number of reasons to do so is endless. Maybe you want to start over with a new wallet, no longer use a particular address, or you're switching smartphones and want to sell your old device without leaving your crypto access behind. But in either scenario, safety comes first.

Deleting a wallet from Guarda doesn't delete its address or transaction history from the blockchain. It removes your access to that wallet from Guarda. Make sure you won't need the wallet or have the necessary backup before deleting anything.

Before You Delete Anything

A non-custodial crypto wallet gives you control over your wallets, which also means there is no “Forgot password?” button waiting somewhere on the blockchain.

Before deleting a wallet, Guarda, a backup, or an entire device, make sure you know where your working recovery method is. If you're moving to another device, confirm that your wallets work there first. If you're abandoning a wallet, move the assets you want to keep and verify the transactions.

Once you've confirmed that you no longer need access from the old device or wallet, you can remove it without leaving unnecessary wallet data behind.

How to Delete a Wallet From Guarda

If you no longer want a particular wallet to appear in Guarda, you can remove it directly from the app.

To do so:

1. Open Guarda and log in.
2. Select the wallet you want to delete.
3. Open the wallet settings.
4. Select Delete Wallet.
5. Confirm that you want to remove it.

The wallet will disappear from your Guarda interface. If the wallet is included in a Guarda backup that you still have, the previous backup still contains the information required to restore your wallets. All the backups you’ll download later will not contain that data.

Don’t delete the wallet if it still carries crypto, or you may need it later. We can't restore a wallet for you if you no longer have the credentials required to access it.

Is Deleting the Guarda App Enough?

Yes. Unlike some desktop wallets that may require you to manually remove additional wallet folders or application data after uninstalling the software, Guarda doesn't require a separate cleanup procedure.

If you want to remove Guarda from a device:

1. Make sure you have access to your current Guarda backup if you still need the wallets.
2. Delete any copies of the Guarda Backup stored locally on that device.
3. Uninstall Guarda.

That's enough to remove Guarda and the locally stored wallet access from the device. You don't need to search for and manually delete additional Guarda folders afterward.

What If I'm Selling or Giving Away My Old Device?

Let's say you've bought a new smartphone, restored Guarda there, and now want to sell your old phone. The same goes for a laptop. Naturally, you don't want the next owner to find anything that could provide access to your crypto. Before doing anything to the old device, make sure you can access your wallets from the new one first. Check the wallet addresses and make sure everything you need is available.

Once you've confirmed that:

1. Delete any Guarda Backup files you have stored locally on that device.
2. Delete the Guarda app.
3. If you're selling or giving the device away, perform the device's standard factory reset or secure erase.

The last step provides an additional layer of protection by removing the rest of your personal data from the device as well.

Don't reset your old device before confirming access to your wallets elsewhere. If the device contains your only usable wallet data or backup and you erase it, Guarda can't recover that information for you.

How to Stop Using a Wallet Completely

Maybe you aren't changing devices at all. You simply want to abandon an old wallet and start with a new one.

First, move any crypto you want to keep to the new wallet. Remember that one wallet may contain different assets and tokens, so check everything before removing access.

Once the transfers are confirmed:

1. Make sure the old wallet no longer contains assets you need.
2. Remove the wallet from Guarda.
3. Delete copies of its recovery information or backup only if you're certain you won't need to access the wallet again.

The old address won't disappear from the blockchain. Neither will its previous transactions. You simply stop using that address and remove your means of accessing it.