BACK UP YOUR SEED PHRASE
Your seed phrase is the master key to your wallet. If anyone gets it, they can restore your wallet and take everything. There’s no customer support in Web3—lose it and it’s gone; leak it and it’s stolen. Back it up carefully.
Golden rules
- Never store it online: no screenshots, cloud files, or photos.
- Make multiple copies in separate locations to cover fire, flood, or theft.
- Use durable media: prefer metal backup plates (steel/titanium) over paper.
- Keep secrets separate: don’t store the seed in the same place as your device or any related PINs/passphrases.
Practical steps
- Write it by hand in a private, camera-free environment and double-check word order (12/18/24).
- Store each copy in a secure place (e.g., fireproof safe, bank deposit box).
- Move at least one copy to metal; if using paper, choose archival paper and permanent ink.
- Seal backups with tamper-evident bags and label discreetly (avoid “seed phrase”).
- If you use a BIP39 passphrase, store it separately from the seed.
- Do an offline recovery test with a throwaway wallet to confirm you can restore.
- Review backups periodically for condition and location changes; maintain a private legacy plan for trusted heirs.
Avoid
- Emailing it to yourself or saving it on your phone/cloud.
- Sharing it with anyone, ever.
- Storing it in a password manager.
- Printing it or photographing it.
Extra security (optional)
BIP39 passphrase (“word 25”)
Adds a second factor: the seed alone won’t restore funds. Remember: without this passphrase, you won’t be able to restore either—store it separately and document its existence without revealing it.
Multisig (M-of-N)
Requires multiple signatures to spend (e.g., 2-of-3). Distribute each key in different places and, ideally, on metal. A single compromised key isn’t enough.
Shamir backup (threshold shares)
Splits the secret into shares with a recovery threshold (e.g., 3-of-5). No single share reveals anything. Etch each share on metal and store them in different locations. Verify wallet compatibility and practice a test recombination.