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To back up a Bitcoin wallet, use the recovery method specified by that wallet, record its recovery information exactly as shown, and keep it private and offline. A device PIN is not a backup: the recovery information is what may let you restore access if the device is lost, damaged, or reset. Wallet formats and requirements vary, so do not assume that one phrase or procedure works for every wallet.
What does a Bitcoin wallet backup protect?
A wallet backup is recovery information used to regain access to a wallet after a device is lost, damaged, or reset. For many modern deterministic wallets, one recovery phrase can restore past and future addresses. However, some wallets require recurring backups or capture information beyond what is currently visible, so follow the instructions for your specific wallet. Bitcoin.org’s wallet-security guidance explains why backup needs can differ.
A PIN protects access to a particular device; it is not a substitute for the wallet’s recovery backup. The backup itself is sensitive: anyone who obtains it may be able to access the associated wallet. Bitcoin.org’s FAQ describes the recovery phrase as the means to recover a wallet.
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How do I back up my wallet?
1. Find the wallet’s official recovery instructions
Identify the wallet and consult its official documentation before writing anything down. Confirm the backup format, the number of words or shares, whether an additional passphrase or other information is required, and whether backups need updating in particular circumstances. Formats are not universal: BIP39 is widely used, while Trezor also documents SLIP39. Bitcoin.org’s developer documentation describes seed and mnemonic details, but your wallet’s own procedure determines what you need.
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- NO SEED PHRASE: Set up and use Bitkey without creating or storing a seed phrase.
- 2-of-3 MULTISIG: Three keys are stored separately across your phone, Bitkey device, and Bitkey’s server. Any two keys are required to move your bitcoin.
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2. Record the backup exactly as shown
If the wallet provides a recovery phrase, write every word accurately and preserve its exact order. Complete the wallet’s supported verification step if it offers one, taking care not to expose the phrase to a website, networked form, or another person. Trezor’s wallet-backup guidance stresses exact order. If you use a permanent marking method, check every word before making the mark: Trezor notes that punching its metal backup is permanent in its setup guide.
3. Keep the backup private and offline
Do not photograph or screenshot the phrase, save it in a notes app, email it to yourself, upload it to cloud storage, or share it with someone claiming to provide support. Trezor states, “We will never ask you for your wallet backup!” Enter recovery information only as part of the wallet’s official recovery procedure and only when prompted by the device, as described in its backup guidance.
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4. Choose storage for your risks
Use a durable medium and a secure location that protects against both physical damage and unauthorized discovery. Bitcoin.org recommends avoiding a single point of failure and says, “Single points of failure are bad for security.” Keeping copies in separate secure locations can reduce the chance that one event destroys every copy, but each additional copy is another item that must be protected. Choose redundancy according to your circumstances rather than assuming more copies are automatically safer.
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Do not infer a wallet’s recovery format from its word count or from another wallet’s instructions. BIP39 maps 128 bits of entropy to 12 words and 256 bits to 24 words; intermediate entropy sizes map to 15, 18, or 21 words. These are BIP39 specification details, not a guarantee that every wallet uses BIP39. Trezor also documents SLIP39, and a wallet may require additional recovery information. Check compatibility and requirements in the official documentation for the wallet you need to restore.
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- Unparalleled Security: Protect your assets with EAL 6+ Secure Element, offering robust defense and complete transparency
- Simple & Secure Interface: Manage your digital assets easily with a clear OLED screen for secure on-device confirmations
- Supports 1000s of Coins & Tokens: Securely handle thousands of assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and more, all in one wallet
- Effortless Asset Management: Monitor and transact seamlessly with Trezor Suite, our intuitive desktop and mobile app
- Enhanced Backup Solution: Multi-share Backup eliminates single points of failure for secure cold wallet recovery
Should I make a metal backup?
A metal backup plate or kit is an optional way to record recovery information on a durable medium. It may suit a reader concerned about physical damage to paper, but it does not protect against theft: someone who discovers the recovery information may be able to access the wallet. Before choosing a plate, confirm that it supports your wallet’s exact backup format and share count. A permanent marking step also makes careful checking essential; Trezor’s guide says to check the words before punching its metal backup.
Compare backup approaches on the details that affect recovery and safety:
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- Compatibility: Does the wallet support the format, word count or share scheme, and any additional secret?
- Physical durability: Is the medium suitable for local risks such as fire, water, or corrosion? Treat resistance statements as claims by the product maker, not independent test results.
- Disclosure risk: Where will each copy be kept, and who could find it? Durability does not prevent access by someone who obtains the phrase.
- Operational complexity: Can you create, verify, store, and later use the backup accurately?
How do I restore my Bitcoin wallet?
Use the wallet maker’s official recovery procedure and verify that the software or device comes from the legitimate source. Follow its instructions for the specific backup format and any required additional information. Never enter a recovery phrase into a site, form, chat, or support interaction because of an unsolicited message; for Trezor, its guidance says to enter the backup only when prompted by the device.
What happens if I lose my recovery phrase?
If the device is still accessible, consult the wallet maker’s instructions immediately to determine whether you can create or update a backup from the current wallet. The outcome depends on the wallet and its configuration; losing the phrase does not establish that every wallet can be recovered through the same method. If both the device and required recovery information are unavailable, the sources cited here do not establish a universal recovery route.
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Can I store my seed phrase on my phone or in the cloud?
Do not store the recovery phrase as a photo, screenshot, note, email, or cloud file. Those are digital copies that can expose the backup beyond the offline storage you control. Keep recovery information private, and do not provide it to anyone who contacts you claiming to be support.
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