This article explains why your Gnosis Pay Safe appears in "view-only" mode when accessed through external wallet interfaces like the Safe{Wallet} app. This is an intentional security feature, and you retain full, self-custodial control of your funds at all times.
If you open your Gnosis Pay Safe using an external wallet interface like safe.global, you might see a “view-only” label and the owner is listed as an unfamiliar address (0x000002..).
Do not worry — this is a normal and essential part of your account's advanced security configuration.
An Advanced Security Structure
External apps like Safe{Wallet} show “view-only” when your connected wallet isn’t listed as a direct owner of the Safe. That’s because your Gnosis Pay Safe uses a more advanced setup to improve security.
Instead of your personal wallet owning the Safe directly, it is owned by a smart contract called a Delay Module. This module is designed to secure your account by ensuring all transactions have a brief delay period, which helps prevent fraud and unauthorised actions.
You will also notice that on app.safe, the owner is listed as an unfamiliar address (0x000002..). To guarantee that every transaction must pass through your account's security protocols, direct control of the Safe is intentionally assigned to a "null address" — an address that no one in the world controls.
Indirect Ownership by Design
Your control over your Gnosis Pay Safe is absolute, but it follows a specific, secure path that external apps may not recognise. This is by design.
Control Path:
[Your Wallet (EOA)] → controls the → Delay Module → owns the → Gnosis Pay Safe
This structure means:
- You Have Exclusive Control: Your personal wallet is the sole controller of the Delay Module.
- The Module Enforces Security: The Delay Module is the only pathway to interact with your Safe's funds.
- You Retain Self-Custody: Because you — and only you — control the Delay Module, you have complete and exclusive self-custodial control over your Gnosis Pay Safe and all the funds within it.
This indirect ownership model is a core security feature, but it's why generic wallet interfaces display your Safe as "view-only." They are designed to check for direct ownership and do not recognise this more sophisticated control method.
Learn more: How the Delay and Roles Modules Secure Your Card
How to Properly Manage Your Safe
For full functionality, you must use the official application you signed up with. These apps are specifically built to communicate correctly with your Safe’s security modules, giving you a seamless experience.
Use either:
- The Gnosis Pay web app, or
-
A partner app such as Zeal or Picnic
These interfaces will allow you to view balances, send funds, manage your Gnosis Card, and access all other features without issue.
Need Help?
If you’re unsure about your Safe's configuration or encounter an issue using external apps, contact us through the in-app chat widget or email help@gnosispay.com.