The most commonly used methods and practices to securely store a seed phrase.
The seed phrase or mnemonic phrase is a series of 12 or 24 words that allows you to restore your Bitcoin wallet in case of need. It is essential to save it in a secure place and not share it with anyone. As it is the access key to your bitcoins, protecting it properly is crucial for the security of your funds.
In this article, we will explore the most well-known and used methods for securely storing a seed phrase.
Paper
Transcribing the seed phrase on paper represents the most immediate and accessible method to create a backup of your wallet. However, this solution presents several vulnerabilities that make it one of the least reliable options for long-term storage of a seed phrase.
The intrinsic fragility of paper is the main disadvantage. The paper support is highly susceptible to damage caused by natural elements such as fire and water. Furthermore, paper is subject to deterioration over time: the ink can fade, making the words illegible, while humidity and sunlight can degrade the sheet.
Another aspect to consider is the vulnerability to accidental loss or theft. A sheet of paper, however carefully hidden, can be easily misplaced or stolen by someone.
Metal engraving
Engraving the seed phrase on a stainless steel or titanium metal plate represents a reliable solution to protect your wallet backup.
This method offers several advantages over transcribing on paper, ensuring superior security and longer-term durability:
- Fire resistance: unlike paper, metal plates can withstand high temperatures without significant damage.
- Waterproofness: materials such as stainless steel or titanium are water-resistant, preserving the integrity of the engraved information.
- Durability over time: resistant metals do not degrade easily, keeping the engraved information legible for years.
- Resistance to weather conditions: sun, humidity, and temperature variations have a minimal impact on resistant metal supports.
The market offers several options for those who wish to adopt this storage method. Various companies offer complete kits that include metal plates and engraving tools.
There are also simple plates, i.e. stainless steel or titanium slabs designed for seed phrase engraving, with pre-defined spaces for each word.
Another solution is a washer system that involves engraving the individual words on separate metal washers. These are then assembled by inserting them into a screw and securing them with a bolt, creating a compact and easy-to-hide device.
List of metal supports tested by developer Jameson Lopp: https://jlopp.github.io/metal-bitcoin-storage-reviews/
Laminated paper
Writing the seed phrase on a sheet of paper that is then laminated is a simple and accessible method to store the information necessary to recover your wallet. You just need a sheet of paper and a laminator.
However, despite its practicality, it presents some limitations: the paper, even if protected by lamination, is less durable than metal and can deteriorate over time. Furthermore, it is particularly vulnerable to fire, making this method less secure in fire-prone environments.
Safe or safety deposit box
Another solution for storing the seed phrase is to keep it inside a home safe or in a bank safety deposit box. This method applies to both seed phrases written on paper and those engraved on metal. The main advantages of this solution include the physical protection offered by the safe and the difficulty of access for unauthorized third parties.
However, this method is not without its drawbacks. In the event of natural disasters or unforeseen events, such as fires or floods, there is a risk of losing access to the safe or safety deposit box, thus compromising the seed phrase. Moreover, in emergency situations or when physical access to the safe location becomes problematic, retrieving the seed phrase could be complicated. Finally, choosing a safety deposit box introduces a counterparty risk linked to the bank itself. If the bank were to face legal, financial, or other issues, access to one’s assets could be lost, or there could be delays and complications in recovering them. In some cases, the authorities could also block access or confiscate the contents of the safety deposit box.
Encrypted file on a storage device
Another option is to create a text file containing the seed phrase, which is then encrypted and uploaded to a storage device, such as a microSD card or a USB drive. For example, the BitBox hardware wallet offers the ability to save the seed phrase on a microSD card. To encrypt the file, you can use software like VeraCrypt. This approach has the advantage of using common devices, reducing the risk of drawing particular attention. However, it is important to consider that this procedure requires at least one backup, as the storage device could become damaged or corrupted over time, making the seed phrase inaccessible.
BIP39 Colors
A more recent alternative is the BIP39 Colors method, which allows you to save a seed phrase through a sequence of colors. Unlike words, the order of the colors is not relevant, making this method particularly interesting. To use this technique, access the https://enteropositivo.github.io/bip39colors/#biptocolors website, where you can enter your seed phrase strictly offline. To use the offline tool, download the software from this link and use a dedicated offline computer.
The system will generate a color palette that represents your seed phrase.
Border Wallet
Border wallets offer an alternative method for creating and storing your seed phrase based on a specific pattern to be drawn, such as a diagonal line. Instead of remembering a list of words, the border wallet allows you to memorize a graphic pattern that, once reproduced, allows you to recover the seed phrase.
To use the border wallet method, you need to print a grid containing all 2048 words of the BIP39 protocol arranged randomly, on which the chosen pattern will be traced. This method can be particularly useful for those with good visual memory.
General advice
1. Always use multiple backup methods simultaneously for redundancy;
2. Test the wallet recovery process before depositing large amounts of funds;
3. Never share your seed phrase online;
4. If you need to enter your seed phrase on a computer, make sure it is offline;
5. Consider the opportunity to use an additional passphrase (25th word).
