# Import Private Key from Polkadot Vault

{% hint style="danger" %}
Importing your Polkadot Vault private key into Nova Wallet eliminates the benefits of cold storage. If you  want to keep your private key offline and use Polkadot Vault to sign transactions, follow this guide instead: [add-polkadot-vault-account-to-nova-wallet](https://docs.novawallet.io/nova-wallet-wiki/wallet-management/hardware-wallets/polkadot-vault/add-polkadot-vault-account-to-nova-wallet "mention").
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
The following steps include actions you must perform on both your **Polkadot Vault device** and your **Nova Wallet Device**.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
Actions for each device are clearly labelled below.
{% endhint %}

1. Open Nova Wallet and `Select` **Already have a wallet**  <mark style="background-color:blue;">(Nova Wallet device)</mark>.
2. `Select` **Hardware wallet** and then `select` **Polkadot Vault** <mark style="background-color:blue;">(Nova Wallet device)</mark>.
3. `Select` the **Import private key** tab at the top <mark style="background-color:blue;">(Nova Wallet device)</mark>.
4. `Select` **Scan QR code** <mark style="background-color:blue;">(Nova Wallet device)</mark>. If requested, allow Nova Wallet access to your camera.
5. Open Polkadot Vault, unlock, and `select` the **derived key** that you wish to add to Nova Wallet <mark style="background-color:purple;">(Polkadot Vault device)</mark>.
6. `Select` the **three dots** in the top right corner, then `select` **Export Private Key** <mark style="background-color:purple;">(Polkadot Vault device)</mark>.
7. Review the warning and `select` **Export Private Key**, then unlock again. <mark style="background-color:purple;">(Polkadot Vault device)</mark>.
8. A **QR code** of your private key will now be displayed; you can see your address on this screen as well. Make sure that's the account you want to export <mark style="background-color:purple;">(Polkadot Vault device)</mark>.
9. Point the **camera** of your <mark style="background-color:blue;">Nova Wallet device</mark> so that it captures the image of the QR code which is displayed on your <mark style="background-color:purple;">Polkadot Vault device</mark>.
10. Once the QR code has been successfully scanned, `select` **Continue** <mark style="background-color:blue;">(Nova Wallet device)</mark>.
11. `Input` a nickname for your account on your Nova Wallet device and then `select` **Continue** <mark style="background-color:blue;">(Nova Wallet device)</mark>.