Introduction
The Bitcoin Wallet Display is an ultra-low-power e-paper device that shows your Bitcoin holdings and real-time price updates. It's designed for battery efficiency and can run for months on a single battery charge.
What It Does
- Displays current Bitcoin price in USD
- Shows your Bitcoin wallet value
- Updates automatically every hour
- Operates on battery power with intelligent power management
- Provides web-based configuration interface
What's Included
- Frame with 2.13" e-paper display
Quick Start Guide
First-Time Setup
-
Power On
- The device will boot and display the configuration screen
- If no WiFi is configured, it automatically creates a WiFi access point
-
Connect to Configuration Network
- On your phone or computer, look for WiFi network:
Bitcoin-Display-Config - Password:
configure123 - Connect to this network
- On your phone or computer, look for WiFi network:
-
Access Web Interface
- Open a web browser and go to:
http://192.168.4.1 - You'll see the Bitcoin Display configuration page
- Open a web browser and go to:
-
Configure Your Settings
- WiFi Settings: Select your home WiFi network and enter the password
- Bitcoin Amount: Enter how much Bitcoin you own (e.g., 0.5)
- Timezone: Select your timezone for accurate time display
-
Save and Restart
- Click "Save Settings"
- The device will restart and connect to your WiFi network
- After a few seconds, it will display the current Bitcoin price and your portfolio value
Daily Use
Understanding the Display
Main Screen (Mode 0):
┌─────────────────────────┐ │ │ │ BTC: $XX,XXX.XX │ │ │ │ Holdings: X.XXXX BTC│ │ Value: $XX,XXX.XX │ │ │ │ Time: XX:XX AM/PM │ │ Date: Mon DD, YYYY │ │ │ │ Battery: XX% │ │ │ └─────────────────────────┘
What You See:
- BTC Price: Current Bitcoin price in USD
- Holdings: Amount of Bitcoin you own
- Value: Total portfolio value (Price × Holdings)
- Time/Date: Time and date of the last update
- Battery: Remaining battery percentage
Automatic Updates
The device automatically wakes up every hour to:
- Check the current Bitcoin price
- Update the display if the price changed by more than 0.5%
- Go back to sleep to conserve battery
Display Modes
The device has three modes, accessible by pressing the button:
Mode 0: Main Display (Default)
Shows Bitcoin price, wallet value, time, and battery status. This is your primary view.
Mode 1: Settings Display
Shows network information and configuration access:
- Device IP address
- WiFi network name
- Web configuration URL
- Battery status
To access settings:
- Press the button once to enter Mode 1
- Note the IP address shown on the display
- Open a web browser on a device connected to the same WiFi
- Go to the IP address (e.g.,
http://192.168.1.100) - Update your settings as needed
Mode 2: Transport Mode
For long-term storage or travel when you won't need updates:
- Disables all WiFi and radios
- Enters indefinite deep sleep
- Uses minimal battery power (months of standby)
- Can only wake by pressing the button
To enter Transport Mode:
- Press the button twice (Mode 0 → Mode 1 → Mode 2)
- The display shows "Transport Mode" message
- Device enters deep sleep
To wake from Transport Mode:
- Press the button once
- Device boots normally and resumes regular operation
Battery Management
The device intelligently manages battery life:
Normal Operation
- Update Interval: Every 1 hour
Low Battery Mode (< 15%)
- Update Interval: Every 2 hours
- Purpose: Extends remaining battery life
- Display: Shows "LOW BATTERY" warning
Charging
- Connect USB-C cable to the frame
- Leave the frame connected for at least 3 hours
Configuration Options
Access these settings via the web interface:
WiFi Configuration
- SSID: Your WiFi network name
- Password: WiFi password
- Network Scan: Click "Scan Networks" to see available WiFi networks
Bitcoin Settings
- Bitcoin Amount: How much BTC you own
- Example:
0.505or1.25 - Used to calculate your portfolio value
- Does not connect to any wallet (this is display-only)
- Example:
Time Settings
- Timezone: Your local timezone
- Examples:
America/New_York,Europe/London,Asia/Tokyo - Used for accurate time display
- See full list at timeapi.io/api/timezone/availabletimezones
- Examples:
Troubleshooting
Display Not Updating
Problem: Display shows old price or doesn't update
Solutions:
- Check WiFi connection:
- Press button to enter Settings mode
- Verify device has an IP address
- Check your router to ensure device is connected
- Check battery level (may be in low battery mode)
- Wait for next hourly update
Can't Connect to WiFi
Problem: Device can't connect to your WiFi network
Solutions:
- Verify WiFi password is correct:
- Press button to enter Settings mode
- Connect to the device's IP address
- Re-enter WiFi password
- Ensure your WiFi is 2.4GHz (Frame doesn't support 5GHz)
- Check router settings (ensure MAC filtering isn't blocking device)
- Move device closer to WiFi router
Display Shows "Config Mode" or Access Point
Problem: Device creates its own WiFi network instead of connecting
Cause: WiFi credentials not configured or connection failed
Solution:
- Connect to
Bitcoin-Display-Confignetwork (password:configure123) - Go to
http://192.168.4.1 - Configure WiFi settings
- Save and restart
Wrong Time Displayed
Problem: Time is incorrect on display
Solutions:
- Check timezone setting:
- Access web interface
- Verify timezone matches your location
- Save settings
- Ensure device has internet connection (needed for NTP time sync)
- Wait a few minutes for next NTP sync
- Restart device to force immediate sync
Factory Reset
When to use: Device is not responding or settings are corrupted
How to reset:
- Press and hold the button for 10 seconds
- Display shows "Factory Reset" message
- Device erases all settings and restarts
- Reconfigure from scratch using Quick Start Guide
Advanced Features
Price Change Detection
The device is smart about when to update:
- Significant change (>0.5%): Full display refresh
- Small change (<1%): Partial refresh (faster, less ghosting)
- Minimal change (<0.5%): No display update (saves power)
Wake Sources
The device can wake from sleep in two ways:
- Timer Wake: Scheduled hourly update
- Button Wake: Press button to manually check price or change modes
Deep Sleep Technology
The device uses deep sleep mode:
- Power consumption: <1mA during sleep
- RTC memory preserves state
- WiFi and CPU completely off
- Wakes automatically or via button
Technical Specifications
Environmental
- Operating Temperature: 0°C to 50°C
- Storage Temperature: -10°C to 60°C
- Humidity: 20% to 80% RH (non-condensing)
Safety Information
Battery Safety
- Do not expose to fire or extreme heat
- Dispose of batteries according to local regulations
Device Care
- Keep away from water and moisture
- Do not disassemble (no user-serviceable parts)
- Avoid dropping or impact
- Clean with soft, dry cloth only
Privacy & Security
Your Data
- No personal data transmitted: Only Bitcoin price data is fetched
- No wallet connection: Device does NOT access your actual Bitcoin wallet
- Local storage only: All settings stored on device
- No cloud service: Device operates independently
Network Security
- Configuration web server runs only when in Settings mode
- No external access to configuration (local network only)
- No telemetry or usage tracking
Maintenance
Regular Maintenance
- Weekly: Check battery level
- Monthly: Clean display with soft, dry cloth
Firmware Updates
To update the device firmware:
- Connect USB cable to the frame
- Download updated firmware
- Upload using Web interface
- Device will restart with new firmware
- Settings are preserved (stored in non-volatile memory)
Support & Resources
Getting Help
- Project Info: https://mybitframe.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this device connect to my Bitcoin wallet?
No. The device does not connect to any wallet or blockchain. You manually enter how much Bitcoin you own, and it calculates the value based on current market price. This is display-only.
What happens if my WiFi goes down?
The device will display the last known price. On the next hourly wake, it will attempt to reconnect. If connection fails repeatedly, it will continue showing the last known price and retry on subsequent wakes.
Can I track multiple cryptocurrencies?
No, it is designed specifically for Bitcoin.
How accurate is the price?
Price data comes from CoinGecko, which aggregates prices from multiple exchanges. Updates occur hourly, so the display may be up to 1 hour behind real-time prices.
Will the display wear out?
E-paper displays are rated for 1 million+ refresh cycles. With hourly updates, that's over 100 years of operation. The display is not a wear concern.
What if Bitcoin price crashes or moons?
The device will update on the next hourly cycle. For manual immediate update, you can press the button to wake the device and trigger an update.
Warranty & Disclaimer
This device is provided as-is for informational and educational purposes.
- No warranty expressed or implied
- Not financial advice or investment guidance
- Price data accuracy depends on third-party API
- No liability for financial decisions based on displayed information
- Battery life estimates are approximate
Last Updated: 2025-10-12