Introducing Linked Wallets 🔐
When we started building the BOLT🔩FUN platform, it was because we needed a space to bring makers together to #LearnInPublic and #BuildInPublic. We also knew that this was a great opportunity for us to help makers learn about new design patterns and technical architecture in the next generation of bitcoin applications. We're constantly trying to push the boundaries of what a lightning web application can look like. However, while innovating and exploring the limits of any novel technology, we are bound to run into hurdles along the way.
Have you ever forgotten to backup your wallet and lost funds? Or perhaps even access to an account? We've all been there...
When we launched our profiles feature, we did so to enable makers to create accounts on BOLT🔩FUN’s platform using nothing more than a lightning wallet - avoiding the need for emails, usernames, and passwords. Whilst this feature shows the potential of bitcoin as an alternative Web 3.0 authentication method, it still has ways to go with regards to best practices and UX.
One design challenge we’ve run into recently is, “how might we allow makers to recover their account if they lose access to their lightning wallet?”. This design challenge presents an issue that could have serious consequences and result in makers losing their profiles, associated stories, products, and data. So how can we avoid this issue? Well, that’s where Linked Wallets 🔐 come in.
What are linked wallets?
Essentially, makers can now link multiple lightning wallets (3 to be exact) to the same BOLT🔩FUN profile - increasing the number of ways a user can sign in to our platform. This decreases the overall risk of account loss, and improves the UX of signing in across multiple devices, sometimes even foreign ones. Now, if a maker loses access to one of their linked lightning wallets, they can still access their BOLT🔩FUN account if they have linked one or two other lightning wallets to the same profile. They can also sign into their account from another device using their mobile wallet, avoiding the need to download and recover web wallets such as Alby on a foreign device.
How does it work?
Makers can add, rename, and remove their linked wallets within their profile’s Settings & Preferences ⚙️ menu.
Adding a wallet ➕
To connect another lightning wallet to your profile, just click Add another wallet + and follow the instructions using an lnurl-auth compatible wallet. When complete, click Done and you should see your new lightning wallet appear below.
Naming your wallets 📛
Naming your wallet is important when keeping a tab on your authentication methods. To do so, click Rename, enter your wallet's name, then click Save.
Removing a wallet 🗑
To remove a wallet, click the bin icon 🗑 and confirm your destructive action. Once removed, you won't be able to use this wallet to sign in to your maker profile. However, you can relink the same wallet later on if you wish.
FAQs
Can makers use the same wallet to authenticate multiple profiles?
If a maker has multiple BOLT🔩FUN profiles, and wishes to use the same wallet (e.g. Alby) to authenticate these accounts, we use a default override feature that links the wallet to their most recently authenticated account. For example, if I use my Alby wallet to authenticate account A, and then I decide to link my Alby wallet to account B, I will now only access account B when signing in using Alby. However, if I want to recover or authenticate account A using this wallet again, all I have to do is remove it from account B and it will be reset as my authentication method.
Why am I seeing a 🔒 icon next to one of my wallets?
We display a lock icon 🔒 next to the wallet that is currently used to authenticate your account. If you would like to remove it as a linked wallet, just sign out and back in again using a different wallet.
Get involved
Leave your comments below 💬
Got any suggestions on how we can improve this feature? Comment below with your ideas and let us know what you think! 👇
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If you would like to get more involved in the design and development of BOLT🔩FUN, please join our Discord and introduce yourself to the maker community.