Registering a signing device

 

This article is relevant for all io.vault and io.network subscriptions.

 

  1. Downloading the io.finnet app
  2. Enabling iCloud or Google Drive
  3. Register your device

Downloading the io.finnet app

The io.finnet mobile app can be accessed by scanning the QR code displayed on the web-dashboard's “Getting Started” screen. Additionally, you'll need to agree to the Terms and Conditions and the Privacy Policy during this process. The app is also available for download directly from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

The app is used by each member of a Vault signing party to review user management, transfer, or resharing requests, approve or reject them, and take part in the signing process.

Minimum device compatibility

  • Apple iPhone 12 or later with iOS 17 or later installed (The use of FaceID is required to provide the best level of security at the device level, in additional to keeping your device updated with the most recent iOS release)
  • Android version 12 or later (To ensure optimal device-level security, enable secure biometric recognition and keep your device updated with the latest OS version).

Enabling iCloud or Google Drive

To utilize the mobile app, you must first enable "iCloud Drive" or "Google Drive" on your device. 

For iPhone follow the below steps

  1. Open “Settings”
  2. Tap on “your name” at the top
  3. Select “iCloud”
  4. Find “iCloud Drive” under “Apps Using iCloud”
  5. Toggle the switch to enable iCloud Drive

For any Android device follow the below steps

Since Android devices may have slightly different menus and layouts depending on the manufacturer and model, follow these general tips to locate and enable Google Drive.

If you’re unsure where to find Google Drive settings on your device:

  1. Check your device manual for guidance on syncing or cloud storage settings.
  2. Search online using the phrase: “How to enable Google Drive on [Device Name/Brand]*”

*Replace [Device Name/Brand] with the specific make and model of your device (e.g., Samsung Galaxy S23, OnePlus 10).

Alternatively, use the settings search bar

  1. Open your device’s Settings
  2. Tap the Search Bar (usually at the top of the screen)
  3. Type keywords like:
    1. “Drive” to locate Google Drive sync settings
    2. "Backup” to find options for enabling backups to Google Drive
  4. Select the relevant result and follow the on-screen instructions to enable or configure Google Drive

Register your device

All users who will approve any requests need to complete the following steps with their iOS mobile device:

  1. You have two options to register a signing device:
    1. Use the QR code provided on the web dashboard login page
    2. Download the app from Apple App Store or Google Play
  2. Open the app and click sign in
  3. Login using the same credentials you login with on the web dashboard
  4. After logging in you will be prompted to register the device as a new signer. The app will automatically assign a name to the signer, which can be easily changed later. When registering, you can choose between two security options:
    1. Passphrase (recommended) - Provides stronger security and better protection for your account
    2. PIN code - A simpler option but less secure than a passphrase
    3. Additionally, you can configure authentication preferences and enable biometrics authentication for faster access. 
  5. Once the signer secret phrase or PIN code has been confirmed, you signer registration is complete and it is ready to be added as a signing party on a vault
  6. You can set up Disaster Recovery in the following situations:
    1. When joining a vault - Whether you are being added to a new or existing vault, you will be prompted to set up Disaster Recovery. However, you can choose to skip this step at this stage
    2. After receiving funds in a vault - If one of your vaults receives funds and you have not yet set up Disaster Recovery, the App will prompt you to do so the next time you open it.
  7. Disaster Recovery involves securely saving a signer-specific 24-word secret phrase, which is randomly generated by the App. This step is essential for enabling signer recovery in case of an emergency. For more details, refer to the Disaster Recovery

Why is the 24-word recovery backup required?

The 24 words are used to encrypt the secret shares (required to sign transactions) secured locally on your iOS device when you export them. 

If you lose your device and can no longer complete a transaction you will need to retrieve your encrypted shares backup file and use the 24 words to decrypt them in order to not lose access to your assets.

 

What is a passphrase and is this different to a password?

When registering a device you will be prompted to create a strong passphrase, along with your 24-words. The passphrase acts as an encryption key and is separate to the login password for your account. The passphrase is specific to your device, therefore if you have multiple devices registered for one user each will require a unique passphrase. 

Please note: the passphrase can not be recovered or changed if lost so it is important to keep it in a safe place.

Important notes

  • Save your secret phrase or PIN code in a safe and secure location as it will be required should you need to complete signer recovery
  • To ensure the integrity and security of your data, it is essential to re-download your encrypted device backup each time a new vault is created or whenever a vault reshare is completed. Please note that for the time being, and until further notice, these backups should not be saved to iCloud/Google Drive in order to ensure additional redundancy to the native functionality of the mobile application. Instead, choose an alternative storage drive for downloading these files
  • You can view all of the registered signers for your account by logging into the web dashboard, clicking on the "account" section on the left-hand side, and reviewing the list of registered signers and the vaults in which they are a member of the signing party.