Write your seed phrase on paper or metal, store it offline, never digitally, and test that recovery works. A step-by-step guide to Bitcoin backups.
The golden rules
- Write the seed on paper or stamp it into metal. Metal survives fire and flood.
- Never store it digitally: no photos, no cloud notes, no password managers you aren't sure about, no email.
- Never type it into a website or give it to "support". Nobody legitimate needs it.
- Keep it where you'd find it, but others wouldn't.
Test your backup
Send a small amount first, then restore from the backup and confirm the same addresses and balance appear.
Extra pieces you might need
| Setup | Also back up |
|---|---|
| Passphrase | The passphrase, stored separately from the seed |
| Multisig | The wallet descriptor or all co-signers' xpubs |
| Unusual address type | The derivation path or descriptor |
Inheritance
If something happened to you, could your family recover the funds? Leave clear instructions, without revealing the seed itself in a will that many people may read. Multisig and timelocks can help build an inheritance plan.
Backup threats and defences
| Threat | Defence |
|---|---|
| Fire or flood | Metal backup, second copy elsewhere |
| Burglary | Hidden location, passphrase or multisig |
| Forgetting where it is | Clear note to yourself and trusted family |
| Digital theft | Never photograph, type or upload the seed |
| Your death | An inheritance plan someone can follow |
Key takeaways
- Back up the seed offline, on paper or metal.
- Test recovery with a small amount before funding fully.
- Passphrases and multisig setups need extra backups.
Common questions
Should I split my seed into parts?
Splitting words naively weakens security. Use multisig or a proper scheme like SLIP-39 shares if you want to distribute risk.
How many copies should I keep?
Usually two or more in different secure places, so one fire or burglary doesn't lose everything.
How long does a seed phrase backup last?
Paper can fade or burn; stamped or engraved metal lasts much longer.
Can I recover a wallet without the seed?
Not if the device is lost too. The seed is the backup.