YWallet: retired, and what to do now
YWallet is retired: ZecHub marks it deprecated, says it dropped Zcash support after the Ironwood upgrade on 28 July 2026, and it cannot use the new Ironwood pool, so do not send new funds to it. Restore your seed in Zkool, the successor by the same developer, or another Ironwood-ready wallet, and move any Orchard funds to Ironwood.
YWallet was one of the most capable Zcash wallets, popular with advanced users for its multi-account support, fast "Warp" sync and cold-wallet mode. Many 2026 guides still rank it first. It is no longer a safe recommendation.
YWallet at a glance
| Fact | YWallet (October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Type | Mobile and desktop light wallet |
| Platforms | Android, iOS, Linux (Flathub); Windows and macOS historically |
| Open source | Yes (distributed via GitHub and Flathub) |
| Custody | Self-custody |
| Shielded pools | Transparent and Sapling listed; no Ironwood |
| Ironwood readiness | Deprecated / not ready |
| Sync | Light client (Warp sync), configurable lightwalletd server |
| Hardware support | Previously a companion for the Zondax Ledger app |
| Status | Retired. Successor: Zkool |
What happened
YWallet's developer, Hanh, built a new wallet, Zkool, which its repository describes as YWallet's successor. When the Ironwood pool replaced Orchard for new shielded funds on 28 July 2026, YWallet was not updated for it. The ZecHub wallet directory now lists YWallet as deprecated, says it dropped Zcash support after NU6.3, and warns: "Do not use these wallets for new funds."
One thing to be aware of: when we checked on 24 October 2026, the ywallet.app website still showed no deprecation notice. Do not take its continued presence as a sign it is current.
Why you should move
- No Ironwood: it cannot receive into the current shielded pool, and Orchard is withdraw-only.
- No updates: future network upgrades, starting with NU7 around 5 November 2026, will not be supported.
- Your funds are not lost. They are on the blockchain, controlled by your seed. Any wallet that supports the same keys can access them.
How to move to Zkool
- In YWallet, back up every account: write down each seed phrase (YWallet supported multiple accounts, each may have its own).
- Install Zkool from official sources.
- Import your YWallet accounts or seeds into Zkool. Zkool accepts 12, 18, 21 and 24-word seeds and YWallet backups.
- Let Zkool sync. Sapling and transparent funds should appear and be spendable.
- Move any Orchard balance into Ironwood through the turnstile. Consider splitting it into several transfers, and using Zkool's Tor or Nym option.
- Once everything shows correctly, stop using YWallet.
Detailed steps: YWallet to Zkool and Orchard to Ironwood.
Prefer something else?
Your YWallet seed may also work in other Ironwood-ready wallets, such as Zodl or Zingo!, provided they accept your seed format. Zkool is the most direct path because it was built to import YWallet accounts and supports the same advanced features. See Zodl vs Zkool vs Zingo.
Was YWallet good? (historical)
| What it did well | Why it is now a problem |
|---|---|
| Fast Warp sync, multi-account, cold-wallet mode, MultiPay | Not Ironwood-ready |
| Open source, many platforms | Deprecated; no future upgrades |
| Ledger companion support | Outdated guides still recommend it |
Why many guides still recommend YWallet
Big comparison sites have not caught up. Coin Bureau's best Zcash wallets guide, last updated 2 February 2026, still named YWallet "Best overall", before the Orchard flaw and before Ironwood existed. If a guide recommends YWallet or calls Zodl "Zashi", treat its other advice with caution and check the date. Our best Zcash wallets page reflects October 2026.
If you used YWallet with a Ledger
YWallet was one of the companion wallets for the Zondax "Zcash Shielded" Ledger app. Your funds are tied to the Ledger's recovery phrase, not to YWallet. Switch to Zkool as the companion, or use Ledger Wallet Desktop, which has supported shielded ZEC with Ironwood since 23 September 2026. See Ledger.
Safety notes
- The old site was ywallet.app; Zkool's official sources are GitHub hhanh00/zkool2 and hhanh00.github.io/zkool2. Type them yourself.
- Beware of anyone offering to "migrate" or "rescue" YWallet funds for you. No legitimate service needs your seed.
- Import seeds only on a device you trust, and keep paper backups.
Frequently asked questions
Is YWallet still safe to use?
It is not recommended. YWallet is deprecated, not Ironwood-ready and will not receive future network upgrades. Move your seed to Zkool or another Ironwood-ready wallet.
Are my YWallet funds lost?
No. Your funds are on the blockchain and controlled by your seed. Restore it in Zkool or another compatible wallet to access them.
What replaced YWallet?
Zkool, made by the same developer. It imports YWallet accounts and supports Ironwood.
Do I need to migrate Orchard funds from YWallet?
Yes. Orchard is withdraw-only since 28 July 2026. After restoring your seed in an Ironwood-ready wallet, move the balance to Ironwood through the turnstile.