How to Set Up Caravan for Unchained Vault Recovery Without Technical Support

The whole point of a 2-of-3 multisig vault is that you don't need anyone's permission to access your bitcoin. But knowing that in theory and actually doing it when Unchained's platform is unavailable are two different things. That's where Caravan comes in.

Caravan is Unchained's open-source, stateless multisig coordination tool. It runs entirely in your browser, doesn't store any data on external servers, and lets you recover bitcoin from your vault using just your hardware wallets and a configuration file. No customer support ticket required.

What You'll Need Before Starting

Gather these items before you begin:

• Two hardware wallets from your vault setup (any combination of Trezor, Coldcard, or Ledger)
• Your multisig configuration file (the .json file containing your xpubs and BIP32 derivation paths)
• A computer with USB ports (PC or Mac)
• Chrome, Brave, or Firefox browser

The configuration file is the critical piece most people overlook. This .json file contains the public key information needed to reconstruct your multisig wallet. You should download it from your Unchained dashboard immediately after creating your vault and store copies in multiple secure locations.

If you haven't downloaded your config file yet, log into your Unchained dashboard and export it now. Waiting until you actually need it defeats the purpose of self-sovereign recovery.

Step 1: Access Caravan

Navigate to caravanmultisig.com in your browser. The interface is intentionally simple because the tool is stateless; it doesn't remember anything between sessions, which is a feature, not a bug.

Select Wallet from the main menu, then choose Import Wallet Configuration.

Step 2: Upload Your Configuration File

Locate your .json multisig config file and upload it. This file contains:

• Extended public keys (xpubs) for all three keys in your 2-of-3 setup
• BIP32 derivation paths (Unchained vaults use P2SH at the m/45' path)
• The quorum requirements for signing

Once uploaded, Caravan reconstructs your wallet view without ever touching your private keys or communicating with Unchained's servers.

Step 3: Select a Bitcoin Client

Caravan needs to query the blockchain to find your UTXOs and broadcast transactions. You'll be prompted to select a bitcoin client. Public options like mempool.space work for most users, though running your own node provides maximum privacy.

After connecting, you should see your vault's balance and transaction history.

Step 4: Create Your Recovery Transaction

Click to create a new transaction and enter the destination address where you want to send your bitcoin. Double-check this address; bitcoin transactions are irreversible.

Caravan will construct an unsigned transaction and show you a preview, including the fee estimate.

Step 5: Sign With Your First Hardware Wallet

Connect your first hardware wallet via USB. Caravan will prompt you to sign the transaction.

Critical step: Verify the transaction details on your hardware wallet's screen. The receiving address and amount displayed on the device should match what you entered in Caravan. If they don't match, stop immediately.

Approve the signature on your hardware wallet.

Step 6: Sign With Your Second Hardware Wallet

Disconnect your first device and connect your second hardware wallet. Repeat the signing process.

Again, verify all transaction details on the device screen before approving.

With a 2-of-3 multisig setup, you only need two signatures. This is why Unchained holds one key but you can still recover without them; you control two keys, and two signatures meet the quorum.

Step 7: Broadcast the Transaction

Once both signatures are collected, Caravan combines them into a complete transaction. Click to broadcast.

Your transaction will propagate to the bitcoin network. You can monitor confirmation status using any block explorer.

Quarterly Maintenance Matters

The recovery process itself hasn't changed materially since Caravan launched around 2020, and Unchained's January 2026 communications confirm the workflow remains the same. But recovery only works if you've prepared properly.

Consider these quarterly checks:

• Verify your config file is accessible in at least two separate locations
• Confirm your hardware wallets work and you have PIN/passphrase access
• Test that Caravan recognizes your wallet by loading the config (you don't need to send anything)

The people who struggle with vault recovery are almost always those who lost their configuration file or forgot a hardware wallet passphrase, not those who found the Caravan interface confusing.

When This Approach Makes Sense

Caravan recovery is designed for scenarios where you can't or don't want to use Unchained's platform: temporary outages, company discontinuation, or simply preferring to manage transactions yourself.

For routine transactions, Unchained's interface offers a more polished experience with additional verification steps. Caravan is the escape hatch, not the daily driver.

That said, practicing the recovery process at least once builds confidence that your setup actually works. There's no substitute for knowing firsthand that your self-custody arrangement functions as intended.

The Bottom Line

Setting up Caravan for vault recovery takes about fifteen minutes if you have your configuration file and hardware wallets ready. The process is straightforward: upload config, connect to blockchain, sign with two devices, broadcast.

The hard part isn't the recovery itself. It's the discipline to download that config file when you create your vault and verify your access quarterly. Handle those two things, and you have genuine self-sovereign access to your bitcoin, with or without Unchained's cooperation.