IOTA Firefly is the official wallet for managing tokens and assets on the Shimmer network, built for people who work with IOTA-ecosystem assets and want a dedicated Windows application. It is free to download and released under the Apache 2.0 license, so its source code is publicly available for review.
Read the project status before you install anything. The repository is marked as deprecated, and the most recent code update in its record is dated June 4, 2025. Expect no regular schedule of new features or security patches, and treat the wallet as a legacy tool. The sections below explain what it does, how to install it, and how to keep your funds safe.
What Is IOTA Firefly and Who Is It For?
IOTA Firefly is a desktop wallet built by the IOTA project to manage tokens and assets on the Shimmer network. Its audience is fairly specific: people who already hold Shimmer-based assets, or who follow the IOTA ecosystem and want the reference wallet rather than a general-purpose app.
It suits users who prefer a dedicated program on their own computer over a browser extension or mobile app. Because it is an official project release, many readers look at it first when they want to be sure they are working with the network's own software.
It is less suited to people who need many blockchains in one place. If your holdings span several networks, a multi-asset wallet will likely be more convenient, and you may end up running Firefly alongside another tool for Shimmer-specific tasks. Newcomers should read the project status carefully before committing a meaningful amount, since a deprecated repository changes what kind of support and updates you can expect.
Understanding Keys, Addresses and Custody
A crypto wallet does not usually store coins the way a bank account stores money. What it actually holds is a set of cryptographic keys that prove ownership of assets recorded on the blockchain. The private key authorizes outgoing transactions, while the public address is what others use to send you assets.
This distinction explains why a wallet's security depends on how you keep its keys and recovery phrase. If someone obtains the private key or the seed phrase, they can move assets without your permission, even if the software itself is intact. Losing both the device and the recovery phrase can make assets unreachable.
Desktop wallets like Firefly keep these secrets on your computer, which gives you direct control but also direct responsibility. No support desk can reverse a mistaken transfer. Before you move significant funds, practice with a small amount so you understand how addresses, confirmations and recovery work.
Practical Scenarios for a Shimmer Asset Wallet
Consider a common case: you received Shimmer-network tokens and want to check your balance and history without logging into an exchange. A dedicated wallet lets you see holdings on your own machine, which many people prefer for long-term storage.
Another scenario is a developer or enthusiast who wants to inspect how a wallet handles transactions. Because the source code is available under Apache 2.0, you can read the project, compare it with the release you installed, and report issues in the public repository.
A third use is keeping a separate wallet for a single ecosystem. Some people hold a small, dedicated wallet for one network so that their main holdings stay in a different wallet they consider better maintained. Firefly can fill that role, provided you accept the project status.
Key features
Shimmer Network Asset Management
Official Project Wallet
Open Source Under Apache 2.0
Free to Download
Supported coins
Firefly focuses on the Shimmer network, which is the chain this wallet was built to manage. Its core job is handling tokens and assets on that network, so it is most useful to people who already hold IOTA-ecosystem assets.
How to install IOTA Firefly on Windows
- 1
Find the Official Download
Go to the official IOTA website or the project's GitHub Releases page. Download only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, and avoid links that appear in search ads or forum posts.
- 2
Choose the Windows Build
Select the Windows build or installer for the version you intend to use. The most recent release listed is labeled desktop-canary-3.0.1, a canary build, so read the release notes before choosing it.
- 3
Verify the File
Compare the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded file with the value published alongside the release. If the project provides a signature, verify it too. Do not run a file whose checksum does not match.
-
Run the Installer
Open the installer, follow the prompts, and install to a folder you control. Launch Firefly when setup finishes, then create a new wallet or restore an existing one before you send or receive any assets.
System requirements
- Windows operating system with a Windows build or installer available
How to use IOTA Firefly
Once installed, the workflow is straightforward but deserves care at each step. Small habits prevent most common mistakes.
- Create a new wallet or restore an existing one, and write down the recovery phrase on paper.
- Store the recovery phrase offline in a secure place, and never type it into a website or a chat.
- Open the wallet and check that your Shimmer network address matches what you expect before you receive any asset.
- Send a small test amount first, and wait for it to appear before you move larger sums.
- Review the recipient and amount on each confirmation screen before you approve a transaction.
- Keep a record of your transaction history, and back up the wallet data again after major changes.
Pros & cons
- Official wallet for the Shimmer network
- Open source code under the Apache 2.0 license
- Free to download with no purchase price
- Focused interface for a single ecosystem
- Repository is marked as deprecated with no active development
- Last code update is dated June 4, 2025
- Limited to the Shimmer network and IOTA ecosystem
- Latest listed release is a canary build
Is IOTA Firefly safe?
Firefly handles private keys and assets, so treat safety as a priority. The project is marked as deprecated and its last code update is dated June 4, 2025, which means security fixes may not arrive on a predictable schedule. Check the latest version on the official website before installing, and weigh that risk against the value you plan to hold.
Download only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, and verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature before running the installer. Never enter your seed phrase on third-party websites, in support chats or in apps that ask for it unexpectedly. Anyone who asks for your recovery phrase is trying to take your funds. Keep the phrase offline, and consider moving larger amounts to a wallet with active maintenance.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/iotaledger/firefly. Ignore ads and lookalike domains.
- Check the SHA-256. Compare the installer hash with the value the developer publishes before running it.
- Never share your seed phrase. No developer, support agent or website — including CryptApps — will ever ask for it.
Alternatives
Firefly differs from multi-asset wallets such as Coinomi, Exodus and Atomic Wallet, which are built to hold many coins in one app. Firefly is narrower: it centers on the Shimmer network, so it suits a single-ecosystem workflow rather than a portfolio of unrelated tokens. Electron Cash follows a similar single-chain idea for Bitcoin Cash, while Trust Wallet on a PC runs as a browser extension rather than a standalone program. Frame takes a different path as a Web3 wallet for desktop. If you hold mixed assets, a multi-asset option may be more practical; if your interest is the IOTA ecosystem, Firefly's official status gives it a clear purpose.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- Apache 2.0
- Latest version
- desktop-canary-3.0.1
- Last update
- 4 Jun 2025
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/iotaledger/firefly
Frequently asked questions
It can be used with care, but the project is marked as deprecated and its last code update is dated June 4, 2025. Verify the file before running it, never share your recovery phrase, and avoid storing more than you can afford to lose while security updates are uncertain.
Yes, the wallet is free to download and has no purchase price. It is released under the Apache 2.0 open source license, which allows the code to be read and reused under the license terms. Blockchain transactions may involve their own network costs, which are separate from the software.
Yes, Windows is supported through a Windows build or installer. The most recent release listed is a canary build, so read the release notes before installing and choose the version that matches your needs.
IOTA Firefly manages tokens and assets on the Shimmer network. It is the official wallet for that ecosystem, so it is most relevant to people who hold Shimmer-based assets. It does not replace a multi-network wallet if your holdings sit on other chains.
Not in an active way. The repository is marked as deprecated, and the most recent code update is dated June 4, 2025. Regular updates should not be expected, so review the repository before relying on the wallet for significant holdings.
A seed phrase is a list of words that can restore your wallet and the keys behind it. Anyone who knows it can move your assets, so store it offline and never type it into a website. Losing it can lock you out even if your computer still works.
Yes. Many people keep one wallet for a specific network and another for everyday holdings. Firefly's narrow focus makes it suitable for a Shimmer-only role. Send small test amounts between wallets first to confirm that addresses match.
Verdict
IOTA Firefly suits people who want the official wallet for Shimmer network assets and who are comfortable with a deprecated project. Users with substantial funds or assets spread across many networks should look at more actively maintained alternatives. If you choose Firefly, verify each download, keep your recovery phrase offline and start with a small amount. Review the project status before you install.