💾 Emergency Backup
Time Required: 7 minutes
The Single Point of Failure
- Your seed phrase IS your bitcoin - lose it, lose everything
- Anyone who finds your seed phrase can STEAL your bitcoin
- No company can help you recover a lost seed phrase
- This 7-minute backup protects you from disaster
📝 What You're Protecting
Remember that seed phrase you wrote down in Module 2? Those 12 or 24 words are the ONLY way to recover your bitcoin if:
- Your phone breaks, gets lost, or stolen
- You accidentally delete your wallet app
- You buy a new phone
- Your wallet app stops working
🔑 Key Principle
- Seed phrase = Full control over your bitcoin
- Anyone with the phrase can take your funds
- No seed phrase = No recovery possible
- Balance security (keep it safe) vs. accessibility (you can find it)
🏠 Storage Options: Quick Decision Guide
Where should you keep your seed phrase? Here's the honest breakdown:
❌ NEVER Store Here
Digital photos - can be hacked/synced to cloud
Phone notes - stolen if phone compromised
Email/Cloud - hacked constantly
Password managers - single point of failure
Computer files - malware can steal
⚠️ Temporary (1-6 months)
Paper in home safe - okay for small amounts
Hidden in book - simple, but risky if lost
Safety deposit box - secure but not accessible
Use these NOW, upgrade later
✅ Best Long-Term
Metal backup plates - fireproof, waterproof
Multiple locations - 2-3 copies, different places
Safe + offsite copy - home safe + trusted location
Upgrade to this within 6 months
Start Simple, Upgrade Later
- For small amounts ($100-1,000): Paper in home safe is fine
- For medium amounts ($1,000-10,000): Paper + fireproof safe
- For large amounts ($10,000+): Metal backup + multiple locations
- Most important: START with something secure TODAY
✍️ How to Write Your Backup (Do This Now)
Materials Needed:
- 2-3 pieces of quality paper (acid-free if possible)
- Pen (NOT pencil - can smudge/fade)
- Quiet, private space (no cameras, no people)
Writing Process:
- Open your wallet app and view your seed phrase
- Write WORD 1 carefully, exactly as shown
- Continue through all words (12 or 24)
- Number each word (1, 2, 3... order matters!)
- Write clearly - if you can't read it later, it's useless
- Make 2-3 identical copies
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Mixing up word order (word 7 in position 12 = wrong wallet)
- Misspelling words ("their" vs "there" - wrong word!)
- Using bad handwriting (you won't be able to read it in 5 years)
- Storing all copies in the same location
🧪 Test Your Backup (CRITICAL)
DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP. Many people lose bitcoin because they never tested their backup and made a mistake when writing it down.
Recovery Test Process:
- Delete your wallet from the app (don't worry - you'll recover it)
- Re-open the wallet app
- Choose "Recover from seed phrase" or "Import wallet"
- Enter your 12 or 24 words from your paper backup
- Confirm your bitcoin balance appears correctly
Why This Test Matters
If you made ANY mistake writing down your seed phrase, you'll discover it now - while you still have access to your funds. If you wait years and then discover the backup doesn't work, your bitcoin is gone forever.
This 5-minute test could save you thousands of dollars.
🧪 Practice on Bitcoin Testnet
Want to practice wallet recovery without risking real bitcoin? Use our Testnet Practice Guide to experiment safely.
Try Testnet Practice →Get free testnet coins • Practice sending/receiving • Test recovery
✅ Complete Emergency Backup
Stage 1 Complete!
🏁 What You've Achieved in 25 Minutes:
- ✅ Bought your first bitcoin (Module 1)
- ✅ Moved it to self-custody (Module 2)
- ✅ Created a secure, tested backup (Module 3)
- ✅ You now have REAL bitcoin sovereignty
Next up: Stage 2 teaches you how to USE your bitcoin safely - sending, receiving, and avoiding costly mistakes.
🎓 Workshop: Seed Phrase Practice
Hands-on practice with seed phrase generation, storage, and recovery. Safe environment to learn before using real Bitcoin.
Practice Seed Phrases →