Why Backups Matter
Your self-custody wallet puts you in control of your Bitcoin - but that also means you’re responsible for keeping it safe. If your phone is lost, damaged, or reset, the only way to recover your funds is with your backup.
If you lose your backup, your Bitcoin is gone. Forever.
When you create a self-custody wallet, you’ll be asked to backup your wallet:
Manual 12-Word Seed Phrase
You’ll be shown a 12-word backup phrase (also known as a seed phrase).
Write it down carefully and store it in a safe place offline - never take a screenshot or save it to cloud storage.
Best Practices for Seed Phrases:
Write it on paper, or in a seed storage device, and store it somewhere secure (fireproof safe, etc)
Never share it with anyone
Don’t store it digitally unless you know how to encrypt it properly
What Not to Do
❌ Don’t screenshot your seed phrase
❌ Don’t save it in Google Docs, Notes, or email
❌ Don’t share it with anyone - not even us
Coming Up Next
Now that your backup is secure, we’ll show you how to:
Restore your wallet from your seed phrase
Send and receive Bitcoin with your self-custody wallet
Keep your wallet secure over time
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