> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://hinkal-team.gitbook.io/hinkal/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://hinkal-team.gitbook.io/hinkal/hinkal-wallet/getting-started/account-management.md).

# Account Management

Hinkal gives every wallet two types of accounts - both live inside the same wallet, and you can switch between them anytime.

<table><thead><tr><th width="147">Balance</th><th width="129.05078125">Identified by</th><th width="200">Where it lives</th><th width="316">Used for</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Private account</strong></td><td>Shield icon</td><td>Inside the Hinkal smart contract</td><td>Storing funds privately and making private transactions</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Public account</strong></td><td>Circle icon</td><td>Smart contract wallets that acts like EOAs</td><td>Interacting with dApps and on-chain actions</td></tr></tbody></table>

You can have:

* **1 Private account**
* **Multiple Public accounts**

<figure><img src="/files/tc1Wj8luGuJI4IqvdtjY" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Switching between accounts

You can switch accounts anytime from the top bar.

* Tap the account switcher
* Your wallet switches between **Private (shield icon)** and **Public accounts (circle icon)**

If you have multiple Public accounts:

* Tap the switcher to open the list
* Select the one you want

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="245">Main account</th><th width="245">Switch with a single click</th><th width="245.33333333333331">Public account (Proxy)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><img src="/files/EPdVXPLnVrQnPq9lpkS0" alt="" data-size="original"></td><td><img src="/files/CQ02pCvZSFAllP0CEX2l" alt="" data-size="original"></td><td><img src="/files/g49XHbeA90jTHRw2Nf3E" alt="" data-size="original"></td></tr></tbody></table>

### When to use Public vs Private

#### Use **Public accounts** when:

Some actions need a visible wallet to work.

Use a Public account when you:

* connect to dApps
* stake tokens
* lend or borrow
* provide liquidity
* list NFTs

These actions need a wallet that can **hold positions and interact openly on-chain**

### Moving funds between the two balances

#### 1. Shield (Public → Private)

Move assets from a Public account into your Private account.

**Steps:**

1. Open a **Public account**
2. Tap **Shield tokens**
3. Select tokens
4. Add more tokens if needed
5. Enter amounts (or use max)
6. Confirm → **Shield**

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Step 1 - Click Shield" %}

<figure><img src="/files/D9KeipiKXPiMkNTdKDi9" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Step 2 - Select Tokens" %}

<figure><img src="/files/I9fYZ0TfzxLEZDlvSBWe" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Step 3 - Add multiple tokens (optional)" %}

<figure><img src="/files/6chuurR3OsgxqqWiWgCp" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Step 4 - Enter amounts (or use max)" %}

<figure><img src="/files/R6noKAt0nx7ymIDjfQG1" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Result" %}

<figure><img src="/files/LNVt3H00YEtxewG2S2lC" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

#### 2. Unshield (Private → Public)

Move assets from your Private account to a Public account.

**Steps:**

1. Open your **Private account and tap unshield**
2. Choose destination Public account
   * or create a new one
3. Select tokens
4. Enter amounts
5. Confirm → **Unshield**

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Step 1 - Click unshield" %}

<figure><img src="/files/BpDHoNMy2c3ljmNkm9jF" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Step 2 - Choose destination" %}

<figure><img src="/files/2ALkOAeCixGvfzt8Cn9G" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Step 3 - Select tokens (you can choose multiple tokens)" %}

<figure><img src="/files/RE61r4dpLsmxnBDef7w8" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Step 4 - Enter amounts" %}

<figure><img src="/files/SnLqpYdm3PQ7y9jl9jky" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

#### 3. Auto-Shield

Auto-Shield automatically moves incoming funds into your Private account.

When enabled:

* Funds received are **shielded automatically**
* No manual action needed

You can:

* enable it anytime
* set a **max gas fee limit**

If [gas](/hinkal/hinkal-wallet/getting-started/gas-tokens.md) exceeds your limit:

* Auto-Shield is skipped

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Auto Shield - Anytime" %}

<figure><img src="/files/Hj1dnxwPVLGDuzc2AI7v" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Auto Shield - Max Gas" %}

<figure><img src="/files/yB52k58HQ1OdxEi05bqL" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

### Common patterns

<table><thead><tr><th width="342">Goal</th><th width="354">Action sequence</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Use a dApp (Aave, etc.)</td><td>Unshield → Use Public account</td></tr><tr><td>Swap privately</td><td><strong>Private account → Swap</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Receive funds privately</td><td>Private account → Receive</td></tr><tr><td>Send funds privately</td><td>Private account → Send</td></tr><tr><td>Buy and keep private</td><td>Buy (Public) → Shield</td></tr></tbody></table>

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