Wallet support

Written Backup Help

How written backups fit into a self-custody plan. Review how recovery phrases work and what a lost wallet backup can affect before setup.

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Troubleshooting Checks

If a written backup has smudges, missing words, uncertain order, or copied abbreviations, do not test guesses on a live wallet with funds. Restore only on a trusted offline or freshly reset device after verifying the word list and order.
If you have multiple written copies, compare them word by word and mark differences before entering anything. Many recovery failures come from one swapped word, a similar-looking word, or a backup from a different wallet.
If someone photographed, scanned, emailed, or typed the written backup into cloud notes, treat the phrase as exposed and plan to move funds to a new wallet after you regain access.

Safety And Scam Prevention

A written backup should never include passwords, PINs, exchange logins, or hints that identify the wallet balance in the same place as the phrase.
Use plain, durable wording and number each word position. Decorative handwriting, shorthand, or partial words make recovery harder when stress is high.
Do not send a photo of the backup to support. Legitimate wallet support can explain restore steps, but it cannot verify a seed phrase for you.

Practical Setup Notes

Paper is useful for quick setup confirmation, but it is weak against fire, water, fading ink, and casual discovery. For larger balances, compare a metal backup or another durable storage plan.
Store copies in separate controlled places, not in a wallet box, laptop bag, email account, or phone gallery where theft and account compromise overlap.
Review the backup after setup by confirming it is complete, readable, and tied to the correct wallet before sending meaningful funds to the address.

FAQ

Should I laminate a written recovery phrase?

Lamination can protect against spills, but heat and plastic can damage some inks over time. A durable card, archival ink, or metal backup is usually easier to audit later.

Is it safe to split the phrase between two papers?

Splitting can reduce casual exposure, but it also increases the chance that one part is lost. Use a deliberate backup scheme instead of improvising partial copies.

Can I store a written backup in a safe deposit box?

It can be part of a plan, but consider access rules, heirs, legal access, and whether another trusted copy exists if the box is unavailable.

What if one word is unreadable?

Compare against the official BIP39 word list and any other copies. Avoid repeated online restore attempts and do not share the partial phrase with strangers.

Recovery phrase rule

Do not share a recovery phrase, private key, wallet password, or signing approval with anyone offering support. Use official wallet surfaces and verify every domain before restoring.