Ironwood: steps for Zodl users

Zcash has undergone a network upgrade deploying a new shielded pool called Ironwood. This article explains how Zodl supports Ironwood and how we help users migrate their funds from Orchard to Ironwood.

For more background, read our articles:

What you need to know

Update Zodl. The latest versions are required to be compatible with Ironwood and are available now in the App Store and Google Play. Without the update, your wallet won't sync, and you cannot send funds.

ZEC funds in Orchard (the default for Zodl) will need to be migrated to Ironwood. You have options for when and how this happens.

Your funds are safe, regardless of when you update or whether you migrate your funds. You can use our migration features in v3.9.0 (available now on Android and soon on iOS), or migrate them yourself (on version v3.8.0 and above).

Migration is not an urgent necessity, but there are implications for your transaction privacy based on how you proceed. Please read on to understand how you'd like to handle your funds.

Step-by-Step Walkthroughs

Please see our walkthroughs for migration on each platform, including screen recordings:

Continue reading our article below for important information and FAQs.

Do I need to do anything?

Zodl will display a migration prompt if you hold an Orchard balance. We recommend completing the migration when you see it. If you dismiss it, Zodl will remind you next time you open the app.

Is there a deadline for moving my funds?

No. Your Orchard funds do not expire, and they remain yours and spendable at any time. You can move them today, next month, or whenever you choose.

How migration works in Zodl

Migrating is straightforward. Zodl offers two ways to do it:

With added privacy (recommended). Your balance is sent to Ironwood as several smaller transfers, spread out over time. Moving funds between pools reveals the amount of the transactions on the public Zcash blockchain (but not the originating or destination addresses), so spreading the transfers out and varying their timing make it much harder for an outside observer to link them to your wallet. Additional privacy is assured by broadcasting transactions over a different server than the one used for syncing. After confirming the plan, the transfers are then sent in the background.

On Android, should anything fail while migrating funds in the background, Zodl will notify you and provide guidance on any next steps.

On iOS, you'll need to keep Zodl open to continue the transfers, or if you close it, Zodl will alert you when it's time to open Zodl again to broadcast another scheduled transfer. Please ensure you enable

Immediately. Your balance moves in a single transfer right away. It's the fastest option, but offers less privacy because the full amount crosses over at once.


Manually. It's possible to send funds to a shielded address (such as your own) as usual without using the Migration tool, and by doing so, you're necessarily sending funds from Orchard to Ironwood. While the sender and receiver aren't exposed, these funds cross the turnstile, and thus the amount of the transaction is revealed. This has a similar effect as the immediate migration option, in that amounts and timing aren't controlled for. Therefore, we recommend the 'Migrate with Privacy' option.

What to expect with the private migration

  1. A quick preparation step. Zodl first does a wallet-internal step to get your balance into smaller pieces. No ZEC leaves your wallet during this (apart from the standard transaction fee), as it's a transaction sent to yourself.
  2. You review and confirm the plan. Zodl shows the full set of transfers and roughly when they'll happen. Most migrations will ask for only one confirmation, without a need to approve each transfer individually. For users with larger numbers of notes, particularly on Keystone wallets, multiple batches may need to be signed.
  3. Transfers send differently on each platform. Zodl sends each transfer when your device conditions allow. On Android, this is in the background though best-effort: if your phone was offline, asleep, or in a battery-saving mode, a transfer can be delayed, and Zodl will ask you to reopen the app to send the next one. (You will need to enable notifications as prompted within Zodl for you to receive these.) This is a normal part of the process, not an error. On iOS, you will need to keep Zodl open and active to progress in the migration. If Zodl is closed, you'll receive a notification to open Zodl when the next transaction is ready to send.
  4. You can watch progress. The migration screen shows how far along you are (for example, 'Transfer 2 of 5 complete') and how much is still in Orchard.

How long does it take?

It depends on your balance. Smaller balances can finish in a couple hours; larger balances are deliberately spread over a longer window for stronger privacy.

Extra network privacy (Tor)

Before you confirm, Zodl offers to route your migration transfers through Tor for added network-level privacy. We strongly recommend enabling Tor, as not doing so will leak your IP address to the remote server, which can be further linked to the migration amounts. If Tor isn't available on your network or in your region, highly consider using a trusted VPN (like Nym) before continuing.

Allowing transfers to send on time

Android

On Android, Zodl will ask you to allow background updates (a battery-optimisation exemption). Granting this helps scheduled transfers send closer to their planned times. On some devices and battery modes, reminders may not always arrive – so the most reliable way to check is to reopen Zodl, which always shows your current progress and prompts anything pending.

iOS

On iOS, Zodl will require that you keep it open to send each migration transaction. When setting up the migration plan, Zodl will prompt you to allow it to keep your iPhone's screen on, as well as to allow notifications from the app. Please allow notifications, as these are used to prompt you to open Zodl when another migration transaction is ready, in the event that you have Zodl closed.

Frequently asked questions

Will my receiving address change?

No. Ironwood uses your existing Orchard receiver, so your address stays the same and previously shared addresses keep working.

Do I have to migrate right away?

We recommend migrating when Zodl prompts you, so that your funds are in the current, best-supported pool.

Do I have to use the private option?

No, you can migrate immediately if you prefer speed. The private option is recommended because it better protects your financial privacy from amounts being correlated on the blockchain.

I saw a message that transfers are 'ready to send' or that delivery was delayed. What do I do?

That's expected. Background delivery can slip on some devices. Tap 'Send now' to send the pending transfers, or let Zodl keep trying in the background.

A transfer 'couldn't be sent'. Is something wrong?

Usually it just means the funds for that transfer moved elsewhere, or the transfer expired. Open Zodl and follow the prompt to create a new transfer for your remaining balance.

Can I stop and come back later?

Yes. Close the app any time and reopen it later. Your progress will be saved and Zodl picks up where it left off.

Are there fees?

Each transfer pays a small network fee, the same as a normal Zcash transaction.

Can I still use Swap or CrossPay, or Flexa, as normal?

Yes, regardless of whether you migrate to Ironwood. Swaps & CrossPays (via NEAR) and Flexa will be compatible with this network upgrade.

Still need help?

If something doesn't look right, or your migration seems stuck after reopening the app, contact us at support@zodl.com and tell us where you are in the flow.

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