How to Use Argent Guardians: Step by Step Guide.

Okay, so the smartest move? Don't even think about sending real crypto in until you've got at least one guardian locked in. I usually do this in like two minutes flat after setup. Why? Because if your phone vanishes tomorrow, you're not screwed-no seed phrase panic, just ping your guardians and boom, recovered. Pretty much saves your ass every time.

In my experience, newbies skip this and freak out later. Sound familiar? Let's fix that.

What's an Argent Guardian Anyway?

Guardians are your trusted sidekicks for wallet security. They're other Argent users, your hardware wallet like Ledger or Trezor, or even Argent's own default (your phone number + email). They can't touch your funds-zero access to steal or spend. But they can approve big moves, like sending over your daily limit or recovering your wallet on a new phone.

The thing is, you need a majority to sign off. Got 3 guardians? Two have to agree. It's like a mini democracy for your crypto. Why does this matter? Normal wallets are "finder's keepers"-lose your seed, lose everything. Argent flips that with social recovery. Honest.

Now, fees? Super low. Guardian approvals don't cost gas on your end usually, but wallet actions might hit ~0.000005 ETH or whatever L2 you're on. zkSync or Starknet? Even cheaper, like pennies.

Types of Guardians You Can Pick

• Argent default: Auto set with your phone SMS and email. Free, easy start.
• Friends/family: Other Argent app users. Super personal.
• Hardware: Ledger Nano S/X, Trezor. Extra secure if you're paranoid.
• MetaMask: Your browser wallet as backup.

First Things First: Get Argent Wallet Running

Download from App Store or Google Play-search "Argent". It's free, iOS/Android. Open it up.

1. Hit Create new wallet. (Or import if you got one.)
2. Pick a username-like "yourname.argent.xyz". Public, so keep it chill.
3. Enter your email, verify it. No phone needed upfront, but it'll ask later for guardians.
4. Set a 4-6 digit passcode. Enable Face ID or fingerprint if you want. Don't share this, duh.
5. Skip notifications for now, or turn 'em on.
6. Boom-home screen. Assets, Activity, Invest tabs. Profile top left has your address.

Pro tip: Head straight to Settings > Wallet Recovery. Turn on iCloud/Google Drive backup if you're lazy. But guardians? That's the real magic.

Can't send crypto yet? Wallet needs activation. Buy a tiny bit via Ramp (no fees first time) or deposit ETH. Like $10 worth. Then guardians unlock.

Adding Your First Guardian: Step by Step

Look, this is dead simple. I do it every new wallet. Here's how, word for word from what I've done a dozen times.

Tap your Ethereum account (or zkSync/Starknet if you're fancy). Go Security tab > Guardians > Add guardian.

1. Pick type: Argent (default), Friends tab, Hardware, etc.
2. For friends: Hit "Add manually". Name 'em, enter their 0x address, ENS like "friend.eth", or Argent username.
3. Tap Add guardian. They get a popup.
4. They accept (takes seconds). You confirm emojis match-security check.
5. Wait 24 hours? Nah, usually instant now. Added!

Issue? They don't respond? Call 'em. "Hey, approve my guardian request?" Done. If it's hardware:

Hardware Wallet Quick Add

1. Security > Guardians > Add guardian > Hardware wallet.
2. Pick Ledger/Trezor > Follow screen (plug in, approve).
3. Sign on device. Emojis match? Accept.

In my experience, Trezor takes longest-extra permissions pop up. Allow "Read public keys" and signing. Annoying first time, smooth after.

Daily Limits? Set 'Em Low for Safety

Okay, but before heavy use-set a daily spend limit. Like banks do. Say $2,000 max out per day. Want more? Guardians approve.

Where? Profile > Security > Daily limit. Slide it. Why? If hacked, thief can't drain you. I set mine at $500. Sleeps better.

Limit Example	What Happens
$100/day	Over that? Guardian ping. 50%+ approve.
No limit	Full access, but risky af.
Change limit	Needs guardian ok too.

What's next? Test it. Try sending $1 to yourself over limit. See the approval flow.

Real World Use: Sending Big Without Worry

So you're loaded up with ETH. Want to send 5 ETH to a new address? Boom-guardian alert if over limit.

They open app > Security > "Who I protect" > Your name > Pending > Review. Emojis match? Approve. Done in under a minute.

Potential glitch: Timeouts. Approvals expire quick-10 mins usually. Refresh, ask again. Or wrong network? Stick to Ethereum mainnet first, then L2.

Disaster Strikes: Recovering Your Wallet

Lost phone? Stolen? No sweat. Install Argent on new device.

1. Get Started > Enter original email > Verify.
2. Pick your old wallet (says "Needs recovery").
3. Call guardians. "Approve recovery!"
4. They: Security > Guardians > Who I protect > You > Review > Emojis match? Approve.
5. Need ceil(half). See this:

Total Guardians	Approvals Needed
1	1
2	1
3	2
4	2
5+	ceil(N/2)

For default Argent guardian: SMS 6-digit code (10 min valid), email link. Easy.

Hardware recovery? Hit security.argent.xyz. Enter username, connect device, sign, emojis. Redirects if good.

MetaMask same-sign popup, emojis. I recovered once this way. Took 20 mins total. Lifesaver.

Argent Vault Recovery Twist

If Vault not activated, recovery deploys it free. Defaults to phone/email guardians. Sweet.

Troubleshooting Common Screw Ups

Guardian won't add? Wallet inactive-deposit first. Their app outdated? Tell 'em update.

• No approval ping: Check notifications on. Restart app.
• Emojis don't match: Scam? Don't approve. Email support@argent.xyz.
• Recovery stuck: Verify email again. Half guardians? Nag the slackers.
• Gas fees high: Switch to zkSync tab. ~$0.01 vs $5 on mainnet.

One time, my friend's Trezor glitched-permissions denied. Unplug/replug, allow all. Fixed.

Advanced Tricks: Multiple Guardians + L2

Got 5 guardians? Mix 'em-2 hardware, 2 friends, 1 default. Max security.

L2 love: Tap zkSync account. Receive same way. Guardians work cross network. Trade in app via 1inch or whatever-low fees, guardian approves swaps over limit.

Connect dApps? WalletConnect QR scan. New app? Guardian ok first time.

I usually add family first-trust level high, response fast. Then hardware for big bags.

Removing or Swapping Guardians

Ex friend as guardian? Security > Guardians > Their name > Remove. Needs majority approve ironically.

Add new? Same flow. 24-hour delay sometimes on changes. Plan ahead.

Why Bother with All This?

Honestly, guardians make Argent feel like a bank but decentralized. No seed hell. I've seen folks lose $10k on MetaMask seeds. Not here.

Test small. Add one today. Send $5 over limit. Watch it work. You'll get it.