So I just bought a Keepkey wallet and have some questions....

[The Sceptical Chymist]

I'm pretty new to hardware wallets and had recently purchased a Ledger Nano S, which I'm quite happy with.  While browsing other hardware wallets on Amazon, I impulsively bought a Keepkey bundled with a pouch and some other unnecessary stuff--the Amazon link is here if anyone's interested in looking at it.  I figured it was cheap enough to justify the purchase, though I'd done zero research into what Keepkey is all about.

The first thing I see upon opening the box in lieu of an instruction manual is the www.keepkey.com/get-started link.  After going to that website, it tells me I have to use a Chrome or Brave browser and sign up with ShapeShift.  I had to download the frigging Chrome browser, which I hate, and then after attempting to create an account with ShapeShift, it's asking me for all sorts of personal information.  I also know that ShapeShift doesn't service US customers anymore.

Before I go any further with this, my question is:  can I use the Keepkey without going through all the ShapeShift and KYC bullshit?  As I said, I didn't research this before buying the wallet so that's on me.  But I wasn't expecting all of these requirements just to use a hardware wallet.

Thanks, guys.  I did look through other threads in this section but couldn't find the answer to my question and I didn't want to bump an old thread.

[mocacinno]

I do not own a keepkey, but found following interesting links:
https://keepkey.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360001411570-Getting-Started-Initializing-Your-KeepKey-Device
https://keepkey.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360001453430-Electrum-Integration-with-KeepKey

So, if i interpret this correctly, you should be able to grab chrome portable to initialise your device (and delete all chrome-related files afterwards), then use electrum to actually use the wallet...

I was actually about to buy one because they gave outrageous discounts a while back, but i didn't go trough because they shipped from outside the EU and the import duties for non-EU technology are crazy in my country... After hearing your story, i'm kind of glad i didn't go trough with it... My wife wouldn't have been happy with my purchase either, i already own a couple HW wallets...

[The Sceptical Chymist]

After hearing your story, i'm kind of glad i didn't go trough with it

Yeah, now I'm starting to regret buying this thing, especially since I have the Ledger.

I clicked on the first link you provided, but it's asking me to verify that I have my seed phrase written down before proceeding, which I don't because I can't fucking sign up with ShapeShift.  They're asking for full KYC documents!  I see no way to get past the stupid ShapeShift registration thing.  I don't want to use their services just to use a hardware wallet--this seems incredibly stupid to me.

Anyone know a way around this?

[LeGaulois]

Is too late to return the item to Amazon? Even unboxed you could try, you don't even have to give a reason (or you can say anything). You should check it, it may vary if it's shipped from Amazon or directly the seller. At least that's what I would have done in your shoes.

[Lucius]

Anyone know a way around this?

I think that only proper way to do it without KYC is via Chrome, based on what I see it is very easy to initialize KeepKey with Chrome and client which you need to downlaod from Chrome web store. ShapeShift is just an option if you want a trade directly from wallet, and I think you can setup this device without any KYC.

There is some more info on this link : https://99bitcoins.com/hardware-wallets/keepkey-review/

[The Sceptical Chymist]

I clicked on the first link you provided, but it's asking me to verify that I have my seed phrase written down before proceeding, which I don't because I can't fucking sign up with ShapeShift. 

That's the Chrome link I clicked on, and it's not letting me get beyond this.  And if ShapeShift is optional, I sure as hell can't figure out a way around registering with them. 

The whole thing is starting to look like a load of BS to me.  Ledger is super easy to use.  Keepkey?  This is ridiculous.

Is too late to return the item to Amazon? Even unboxed you could try, you don't even have to give a reason (or you can say anything). You should check it, it may vary if it's shipped from Amazon or directly the seller. At least that's what I would have done in your shoes.

Eh....I paid less than $40 for the whole thing, so I suppose I'll keep it as a relic that I can laugh at 20 years from now.  I did get a nice Pigma pen with it and an RFD-resistant pouch which will protect my Ledger from a nuclear bomb's EMP.  lol

[o_e_l_e_o]

KeepKey are manufactured by the owners of ShapeShift, so it's kind of to be expected they would really push for you to sign up on their exchange. Disappointing that they don't make it clear how to use the device without signing up though. Now, I don't own a KeepKey, so I can't offer any help myself, but there are some pages from their website which should guide you through the process (unfortunately you still need to use the spyware that is Google Chrome):

https://keepkey.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360001411570-Getting-Started-Initializing-Your-KeepKey-Device

I would be sticking with Ledger just so I didn't have to have a Google product on my computer.

[HCP]

If you're anti-Chrome, you can always try using "Brave" instead...

I assume you've already attempted to install the client from here: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/keepkey-client/idgiipeogajjpkgheijapngmlbohdhjg

When you say:

That's the Chrome link I clicked on, and it's not letting me get beyond this.

What exactly are you getting from the KeepKey Client? Can you provide some screenshots?

[DireWolfM14]

I bought my keepkey before their merger with ShapeShift, so I didn't have to go through all that shit.  I've only used the Chrome extension or Electrum to access the wallet, I haven't set up a ShapeShift account.  

The Chrome extension sucks, but it's the only way to initiate the wallet after a factory reset (or setting up from new.)  Once the wallet is set-up you can use Electrum to manage it like any other hardware wallet.  It doesn't support some of the altcoins Trezor or Leger do (XMR, XLM, XRP, and other popular ones) if that matters to you.

HCP posted the link to the Chrome Extension which I confirmed is the same one I have installed.   It can be installed on Brave and Chromium browsers also.  Here's the link again: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/keepkey-client/idgiipeogajjpkgheijapngmlbohdhjg?hl=en-US

I now own a Trezor and a Leger, and I prefer both over the KeepKey.  It's price is attractive, but like anything else in this world; you get what you pay for.  At some point I may decide to sell it, but for what it's worth it seems like too big of a hassle.  I may end up giving it a friend.

[The Sceptical Chymist]

KeepKey are manufactured by the owners of ShapeShift, so it's kind of to be expected they would really push for you to sign up on their exchange. Disappointing that they don't make it clear how to use the device without signing up though.

I'm very disappointed that I didn't know about the relationship between Keepkey and ShapeShift before I bought the thing--I'm just glad I didn't pay more for the device.  As I think I mentioned, US residents can't even use the ShapeShift service.  I actually find that unfortunate, because I've used them before and they were pretty good.

I would be sticking with Ledger just so I didn't have to have a Google product on my computer.

That's what I plan to do.  The Ledger is a nice piece of equipment and so far it does everything I need it to do.  Buying the Keepkey was sort of an impulsive buy.  It's not like I have so much crypto that I need two hardware wallets...lol.

What exactly are you getting from the KeepKey Client? Can you provide some screenshots?

I would post something if I wasn't too damn lazy to hook the thing up and attempt to go through the setup again.  I should have done that initially.  But basically it was a screen asking me to input the seed phrase, which I had not gotten yet because I couldn't initialize the Keepkey.

HCP posted the link to the Chrome Extension which I confirmed is the same one I have installed.   It can be installed on Brave and Chromium browsers also.  Here's the link again: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/keepkey-client/idgiipeogajjpkgheijapngmlbohdhjg?hl=en-US

OK, thank you and thank you HCP for that link.  I'm not sure if that's the one I tried, but later tonight I may give it a shot and will report back here if it works.  Since I don't really have any coins to put on the Keepkey, my motivation to fool around with it is pretty low.  It's a pretty little device--too bad they're tied up with ShapeShift.

[jackg]

Do you not have a 28 day return window there?
I broke a flash drive in 28 days (ok it was badly made to start with) and got a full refund a couple of years ago. It might be a good idea... or just leave them a bad review and see if they try to solve your problem.

Go with chromium instead of chrome (get the Google virus off your machine). Can you not try going straight through electrum, maybe it already has a key. You can request a seed from there for hw wallets (I assume, never tried it though)...


I'm finding the impulse buy thing a bit funny, I was getting paranoid with quantumproofing the crap out of everything and decided to buy 3 trezors and use 2 laptops and a phone along with them in a multisig (6 of 6)... So far, 1 trezor is in active use, 1 is a failover of the first trezor and one is still sealed (I scrapped my old multisig too ).

[Rath_]

Do you not have a 28 day return window there?

It usually depends on the local law. In my country, one has 14 days to return a product bought online. However, some resellers don't refund hardware wallets (as stated before payment) without contacting the manufacturer first. Edit: It looks like KeepKey accepts refunds within 30 days!

I'm finding the impulse buy thing a bit funny [...]

I have recently bought a Ledger Nano X which turned out to be faulty. I am still waiting for the reseller's reply who is waiting for Ledger's reply. I should have sticked to my Trezor T.

[Lucius]

Do you not have a 28 day return window there?
I broke a flash drive in 28 days (ok it was badly made to start with) and got a full refund a couple of years ago. It might be a good idea... or just leave them a bad review and see if they try to solve your problem.

Go with chromium instead of chrome (get the Google virus off your machine). Can you not try going straight through electrum, maybe it already has a key. You can request a seed from there for hw wallets (I assume, never tried it though)...


I'm finding the impulse buy thing a bit funny, I was getting paranoid with quantumproofing the crap out of everything and decided to buy 3 trezors and use 2 laptops and a phone along with them in a multisig (6 of 6)... So far, 1 trezor is in active use, 1 is a failover of the first trezor and one is still sealed (I scrapped my old multisig too ).

How your advice can help OP to solve his problem? Your reply is coming almost a month this thread is posted, and more then 3 weeks after last post... Anything you posted is just worthless and already written.

Eh....I paid less than $40 for the whole thing, so I suppose I'll keep it as a relic that I can laugh at 20 years from now.  I did get a nice Pigma pen with it and an RFD-resistant pouch which will protect my Ledger from a nuclear bomb's EMP.  lol

[The Sceptical Chymist]

How your advice can help OP to solve his problem? Your reply is coming almost a month this thread is posted, and more then 3 weeks after last post... Anything you posted is just worthless and already written.

That's alright, I don't mind the extra input and I don't fault jackg for missing my comment about not wanting to go through the hassle of returning the thing.  I don't even consider this a problem anymore, since I've become resigned to the fact that I'll never use the Keepkey as long as I have to go through ShapeShift--and, like I said, the Ledger I have is just fine.

It usually depends on the local law.

Since I got the Keepkey along with the pen and case through Amazon, I probably had 30 days to return it and I certainly could have done so.  They're known for their fairly liberal return policy.

Going to lock the thread now.  Thanks to everyone who gave me input on this, I do appreciate it.