Your seed phrase (recovery phrase) is a human-readable encoding of your wallet’s private key. Whoever possesses it controls your funds permanently. Treat it with the same care you would a house deed or passport.
When the phrase is created
Most wallets generate the phrase during initial setup. Write it down before entering it back into the app for verification. Do this offline in a private space. Never screenshot it or type it into any website.
Storage principles
- Physical only: Paper in a fireproof safe, or a metal backup plate for durability.
- Split storage (optional): Some people store half the words in one location and half in another. Understand the trade-off — losing one half means losing access.
- No digital copies: Cloud drives, password managers for seed phrases, and email drafts have all led to theft.
Verifying backups
After storing your phrase, test recovery on a separate device or a fresh wallet install with a small test amount. Confirm you can restore before depositing significant funds.
If compromise is suspected
Move remaining funds immediately to a new wallet with a freshly generated phrase. Assume the old wallet is permanently unsafe. Speed matters — automated bots monitor compromised keys.
Inheritance planning
If others may need access in an emergency, document procedures without exposing the phrase itself. Some families use solicitor-held envelopes or multi-location storage with clear instructions.
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