Seed phrases and backups
When you set up a wallet it shows you a list of 12 or 24 words. This is your seed phrase, also called a recovery phrase. It is the master backup for every key in that wallet. If your phone or device is lost, broken or stolen, those words bring everything back.
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How to store it
- Write it on paper, or stamp it into metal for fire and water resistance.
- No photos, no screenshots, no cloud notes, no email, no password manager notes.
- Keep it somewhere safe and private. Some people keep a second copy in a different location.
- Only ever type it into the wallet you are restoring, and never into a website.
Test your backup
Before you send serious money, practise a recovery. Reset the wallet, restore it from your written words and check the same addresses appear. Do this with a small amount first. If a device is ever lost, stolen or broken, follow our recovery guide.
Avoid clever tricks like splitting the words up or making them into a puzzle. These tend to lose more coins than hackers do. Proper multisig, where a wallet needs several separate keys, is a different and safe technique. For a real example of scammers chasing seed phrases, read the Passport recall alert. Look up any terms you are unsure of in the glossary.
Why is Seed Splitting a Bad Idea?
aantonopWhy DIY seed tricks often backfire.
Key takeaways
- Your seed phrase is the master backup of your wallet.
- Never share it and never store it digitally.
- Practise a recovery with a small amount before trusting it.
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Not financial advice. These lessons are general education only. Bitcoin prices can swing hard. Never put in more than you can afford to lose, and do your own research.