Please confirm these before starting:
- You are using a private device — not one shared with your partner
- You are connected to mobile data, not your home WiFi
- You are using private/incognito browsing for this guide
- You have pen and paper ready for your seed phrase
- You have 10–15 minutes alone
Step 1 — Download Zodl wallet
Zodl (formerly called Zashi) is the official Zcash wallet. It is free, and it automatically uses shielded transactions for everything.
- Open your phone's app store
Go to the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android).
- Search for "Zodl" or "Zashi Zcash"
Look for the official app from "Zcash Open Development Lab" (ZODL). The icon shows a shielded Z shape.
- Tap Install or Get
The app is free and does not require an account or email address.
If your partner can see your App Store download history (some family accounts share this), consider creating a separate Apple ID or Google account on the device first, or using a device your partner does not have access to.
Step 2 — Create a new wallet
- Open Zodl and tap "Create new wallet"
Do NOT tap "Restore wallet" unless you already have a seed phrase from a previous wallet.
- Read the introduction screens
The app will explain shielded transactions. You can tap through — you already know this from Modules 1–3.
- You will see your seed phrase — 24 words
This is the most important step. These 24 words are the only key to your wallet. Anyone who has them can access your funds.
Write your 24 words on paper — right now, before continuing.
- Do NOT screenshot it — photos can be found in photo libraries
- Do NOT type it into any app, note, or cloud service
- Do NOT email it to yourself or store it digitally
- Do NOT store the paper where your partner might find it
Good hiding places: At a trusted friend's house · Inside a book at a library · In a safety deposit box your partner doesn't know about · Memorized (if you're able)
Step 3 — Confirm your seed phrase
- The app asks you to confirm several of the 24 words
This confirms you wrote them down. Select the correct words from the options shown.
- Your wallet is created
You will see a main balance screen showing $0.00 ZEC. This is normal. Your wallet is ready to receive funds.
Step 4 — Find your shielded address
- Tap "Receive" in the app
This shows your Unified Address — the long string that starts with "u1..."
- This is your private mailbox
Share this address only with people you trust to send you money. They cannot see your other transactions.
- Share it as a QR code or copy the text
Use whichever is easiest for the person sending. Both are equally private.
Step 5 — Test with a small amount
Before building a significant fund, test that everything works by asking a trusted person to send you a very small amount. When it arrives, you'll see the balance update. The transaction will not appear in any public record.
If you need your first small amount of ZEC, see Get Help Now — we have partner organizations that can provide emergency ZEC to survivors.
Setting up app security
- Enable Face ID / fingerprint unlock for the Zodl app (not PIN — PINs can be watched)
- Turn off notification previews — so lock-screen alerts don't show transaction amounts
- Consider renaming the app folder to something neutral on your home screen
- Delete this guide page from your browser history when you're done reading
iPhone Safari: Settings → Safari → Clear History and Website Data
Android Chrome: Three dots → History → Clear browsing data
Better option: Use private/incognito mode from the start — no history to delete.