{
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  "schemaVersion": "1.0.0",
  "id": "bitcoin-wallet-file-backups",
  "canonical": "https://degreesofsatoshi.com/encyclopedia/bitcoin-wallet-file-backups/",
  "collection": "bitcoin",
  "title": "Bitcoin wallet-file backups: what a seed may not preserve",
  "description": "Understand Bitcoin wallet-file backups, imported keys and local metadata, and why restoring a seed may not recreate the entire application state.",
  "aliases": [
    "backup bitcoin wallet file",
    "backup bitcoin wallet file explained"
  ],
  "dates": {
    "published": "2026-10-02",
    "modified": "2026-10-02",
    "verified": "2026-10-02T19:29:20.637Z",
    "dataAsOf": "2026-10-02"
  },
  "authorship": {
    "publisher": "Degrees of Satoshi editorial project",
    "process": "AI-assisted research and drafting with a separate automated source-verification pass; no external expert or named human review is implied."
  },
  "quickAnswer": {
    "text": "A wallet-file backup preserves the data included in that wallet database; a mnemonic restores keys through its defined derivation process. These are not always equivalent. Imported keys, wallet policies and local records can need separate preservation. Use the wallet’s supported backup operation and keep the format, encryption credentials and software compatibility needed for restoration.",
    "claimId": "bitcoin-wallet-file-backups-quick-answer",
    "sourceIds": [
      "x425-btc-core-backupwallet",
      "x425-btc-core-restorewallet",
      "x425-btc-bip32",
      "x425-btc-secure"
    ]
  },
  "keyFacts": [
    {
      "label": "Core backup",
      "value": "backupwallet copies the wallet to a destination",
      "sourceIds": [
        "x425-btc-core-backupwallet"
      ],
      "id": "core-backup",
      "claimId": "bitcoin-wallet-file-backups-fact-core-backup"
    },
    {
      "label": "Seed scope",
      "value": "Derived keys are not every possible imported key",
      "sourceIds": [
        "x425-btc-bip32",
        "x425-btc-electrum-faq"
      ],
      "id": "seed-scope",
      "claimId": "bitcoin-wallet-file-backups-fact-seed-scope"
    },
    {
      "label": "Local records",
      "value": "Wallet comments need not be on chain",
      "sourceIds": [
        "x425-btc-core-sendtoaddress"
      ],
      "id": "local-records",
      "claimId": "bitcoin-wallet-file-backups-fact-local-records"
    }
  ],
  "prerequisites": [
    "private-keys-and-seed-phrases",
    "bitcoin-output-descriptors"
  ],
  "sections": [
    {
      "id": "contents",
      "heading": "Distinguish chain data from local wallet data",
      "sourceIds": [
        "x425-btc-core-files",
        "x425-btc-core-sendtoaddress"
      ],
      "paragraphs": [
        "Blocks can show transaction outputs and spends, but they do not necessarily contain the labels you added to your wallet. Core’s sendtoaddress documentation explicitly says its comment fields remain in the wallet rather than the transaction.",
        "A key-only recovery can therefore locate funds without reproducing every note, contact label or accounting context. Conversely, a file containing a transaction history does not automatically contain usable spending authority."
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "scope",
      "heading": "Account for keys outside the main seed",
      "sourceIds": [
        "x425-btc-bip32",
        "x425-btc-electrum-faq",
        "x425-btc-secure"
      ],
      "paragraphs": [
        "Imagine a wallet with 90,000 satoshis controlled by derived keys and 10,000 controlled by a separately imported key. Restoring only the seed need not recover the imported-key portion. The visible total of 100,000 does not establish a single recovery source.",
        "Electrum documents this distinction explicitly for imported-key wallets. The exact contents of a backup file depend on the product, so preserve its documented recovery material rather than assuming every file named wallet has the same scope."
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "restore",
      "heading": "Preserve compatibility and test the documented path",
      "sourceIds": [
        "x425-btc-core-backupwallet",
        "x425-btc-core-restorewallet",
        "x425-btc-electrum-faq"
      ],
      "paragraphs": [
        "Use the application’s supported backup function, which can handle an active wallet database correctly, and protect the resulting copy from loss and disclosure. Record which product and format created it. Encryption can make a backup unreadable without its required password.",
        "A software upgrade can change wallet-file format. Electrum warns that an older version may not read a file opened by a newer one. A backup is valuable only when the necessary data and a compatible recovery procedure remain available."
      ]
    }
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "question": "Can the blockchain restore my wallet labels?",
      "answer": "Only information actually published in transactions is on the chain. Core wallet comments, for example, are local data. Recovering key-derived transaction history does not automatically restore those local annotations.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "x425-btc-core-sendtoaddress"
      ]
    },
    {
      "question": "Is copying a seed enough for a wallet with imported private keys?",
      "answer": "Not necessarily. A seed regenerates its derived hierarchy; unrelated imported keys can require a separate backup. Identify the wallet’s actual key sources and supported export or backup method.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "x425-btc-bip32",
        "x425-btc-electrum-faq"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "claims": [
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      "id": "bitcoin-wallet-file-backups-quick-answer",
      "articleSlug": "bitcoin-wallet-file-backups",
      "statement": "A wallet-file backup preserves the data included in that wallet database; a mnemonic restores keys through its defined derivation process. These are not always equivalent. Imported keys, wallet policies and local records can need separate preservation. Use the wallet’s supported backup operation and keep the format, encryption credentials and software compatibility needed for restoration.",
      "sourceIds": [
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          "locator": "Description; Arguments"
        },
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          "locator": "Description; Arguments"
        },
        {
          "sourceId": "source-225ce32b9f96878c",
          "locator": "Motivation; Extended keys; Security"
        },
        {
          "sourceId": "source-ccf126c494bfe748",
          "locator": "Be careful with online services; Backup your wallet; Encrypt your wallet; Offline wallet for savings; Hardware wallets; Keep your software up to date"
        }
      ],
      "scope": {
        "collection": "bitcoin",
        "dataAsOf": "2026-10-02",
        "blockHeight": null
      },
      "qualification": "Educational explanation. Product-specific behavior is scoped to the cited documentation, checked 2026-10-02.",
      "evidenceStatus": "documented",
      "verification": {
        "status": "verified",
        "method": "independent automated source review",
        "checkedAt": "2026-10-02T19:29:20.637Z",
        "reviewer": "Independent automated verification — Codex /root/verify_ethereum_100, separate from the Bitcoin drafting agent",
        "notes": [
          "Checked Core file layout, supported backupwallet/restorewallet and local-only comments, plus Electrum imported-key and downgrade cautions.90,000derived+10,000imported is100,000sats but is not proof one seed restores both."
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "bitcoin-wallet-file-backups-fact-core-backup",
      "articleSlug": "bitcoin-wallet-file-backups",
      "statement": "Core backup: backupwallet copies the wallet to a destination",
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        "source-2a37c2d1db3ea696"
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      "sourceLocators": [
        {
          "sourceId": "source-2a37c2d1db3ea696",
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      "scope": {
        "collection": "bitcoin",
        "dataAsOf": "2026-10-02",
        "blockHeight": null
      },
      "qualification": "",
      "evidenceStatus": "documented",
      "verification": {
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        "checkedAt": "2026-10-02T19:29:20.637Z",
        "reviewer": "Independent automated verification — Codex /root/verify_ethereum_100, separate from the Bitcoin drafting agent",
        "notes": [
          "Checked Core file layout, supported backupwallet/restorewallet and local-only comments, plus Electrum imported-key and downgrade cautions.90,000derived+10,000imported is100,000sats but is not proof one seed restores both."
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "bitcoin-wallet-file-backups-fact-seed-scope",
      "articleSlug": "bitcoin-wallet-file-backups",
      "statement": "Seed scope: Derived keys are not every possible imported key",
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        "source-82375415e215e2f2"
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      "sourceLocators": [
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          "sourceId": "source-225ce32b9f96878c",
          "locator": "Motivation; Extended keys; Security"
        },
        {
          "sourceId": "source-82375415e215e2f2",
          "locator": "Does Electrum trust servers?; Can I import private keys from other Bitcoin clients?; Can I sweep private keys from other Bitcoin clients?; What is the gap limit?; How do I upgrade Electrum?"
        }
      ],
      "scope": {
        "collection": "bitcoin",
        "dataAsOf": "2026-10-02",
        "blockHeight": null
      },
      "qualification": "",
      "evidenceStatus": "documented",
      "verification": {
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        "checkedAt": "2026-10-02T19:29:20.637Z",
        "reviewer": "Independent automated verification — Codex /root/verify_ethereum_100, separate from the Bitcoin drafting agent",
        "notes": [
          "Checked Core file layout, supported backupwallet/restorewallet and local-only comments, plus Electrum imported-key and downgrade cautions.90,000derived+10,000imported is100,000sats but is not proof one seed restores both."
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "bitcoin-wallet-file-backups-fact-local-records",
      "articleSlug": "bitcoin-wallet-file-backups",
      "statement": "Local records: Wallet comments need not be on chain",
      "sourceIds": [
        "source-34552f149068cb49"
      ],
      "sourceLocators": [
        {
          "sourceId": "source-34552f149068cb49",
          "locator": "Description; Arguments: amount, comment, comment_to, subtractfeefromamount, fee_rate; Result"
        }
      ],
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      "qualification": "",
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        "notes": [
          "Checked Core file layout, supported backupwallet/restorewallet and local-only comments, plus Electrum imported-key and downgrade cautions.90,000derived+10,000imported is100,000sats but is not proof one seed restores both."
        ]
      }
    }
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "id": "x425-btc-core-backupwallet",
      "label": "backupwallet RPC",
      "publisher": "Bitcoin Core",
      "url": "https://bitcoincore.org/en/doc/29.0.0/rpc/wallet/backupwallet/",
      "locator": "Description; Arguments",
      "note": "Wallet backup destination and database-copy operation.",
      "version": "Bitcoin Core 29.0 RPC reference; not a recommendation to install an old release",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-02T18:53:55.850Z",
      "contentSha256": "a02c9954361a21b14b1dbd963651d89356c2fafedb77f1b131322ce1722f2996",
      "recordId": "source-2a37c2d1db3ea696"
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    {
      "id": "x425-btc-core-restorewallet",
      "label": "restorewallet RPC",
      "publisher": "Bitcoin Core",
      "url": "https://bitcoincore.org/en/doc/29.0.0/rpc/wallet/restorewallet/",
      "locator": "Description; Arguments",
      "note": "Restoring a wallet from a backup file under documented options.",
      "version": "Bitcoin Core 29.0 RPC reference; not a recommendation to install an old release",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-02T18:53:55.697Z",
      "contentSha256": "4d71983d0ef6b5e77faf8b2a7ce0a1bb3a26e6d5146dfdb3d6539ded9c87b6ba",
      "recordId": "source-536a722ef4cd531e"
    },
    {
      "id": "x425-btc-bip32",
      "label": "Hierarchical Deterministic Wallets",
      "publisher": "Bitcoin Improvement Proposals",
      "url": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bitcoin/bips/927b6de9915c9262615a6399de51b200f81e5aa4/bip-0032.mediawiki",
      "locator": "Motivation; Extended keys; Security",
      "note": "Deterministic key derivation, backup scope and public/private child derivation.",
      "version": "Pinned BIPs revision",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-02T18:53:54.013Z",
      "contentSha256": "e5e00a8289db2f681052cf24a745320afc225e66b25d1e489a7c884d2fc7f11f",
      "recordId": "source-225ce32b9f96878c"
    },
    {
      "id": "x425-btc-secure",
      "label": "Securing your wallet",
      "publisher": "Bitcoin.org",
      "url": "https://bitcoin.org/en/secure-your-wallet",
      "locator": "Be careful with online services; Backup your wallet; Encrypt your wallet; Offline wallet for savings; Hardware wallets; Keep your software up to date",
      "note": "Backup scope, online exposure, offline signing, custody and software update practices.",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-02T18:53:53.659Z",
      "contentSha256": "b6017f869461de2150d6b3b328f2ff75aedcd888d7a66cc311acbc243d6ead49",
      "recordId": "source-ccf126c494bfe748",
      "version": null
    },
    {
      "id": "x425-btc-electrum-faq",
      "label": "Frequently Asked Questions",
      "publisher": "Electrum",
      "url": "https://electrum.readthedocs.io/en/latest/faq.html",
      "locator": "Does Electrum trust servers?; Can I import private keys from other Bitcoin clients?; Can I sweep private keys from other Bitcoin clients?; What is the gap limit?; How do I upgrade Electrum?",
      "note": "Electrum-specific sweep/import distinctions, seed recovery scope and address discovery.",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-02T18:53:56.378Z",
      "contentSha256": "a7f9a2d109a2a753b0010cda1bd2d789a0417a0788a48ea6632c3fe3b391fb06",
      "recordId": "source-82375415e215e2f2",
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    {
      "id": "x425-btc-core-sendtoaddress",
      "label": "sendtoaddress RPC",
      "publisher": "Bitcoin Core",
      "url": "https://bitcoincore.org/en/doc/29.0.0/rpc/wallet/sendtoaddress/",
      "locator": "Description; Arguments: amount, comment, comment_to, subtractfeefromamount, fee_rate; Result",
      "note": "Fee subtraction changes recipient output; comments remain local metadata.",
      "version": "Bitcoin Core 29.0 RPC reference; not a recommendation to install an old release",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-02T18:53:55.005Z",
      "contentSha256": "5a7533879c09df8fe7dac0c92fc30ef619b2c0ae9332ab6d388a9bde3e9a583b",
      "recordId": "source-34552f149068cb49"
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    {
      "id": "x425-btc-core-files",
      "label": "Files",
      "publisher": "Bitcoin Core",
      "url": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/v29.0/doc/files.md",
      "locator": "Data directory location and chain-specific paths; Data directory layout: blocks/, chainstate/, wallets/; Multi-wallet environment and backupwallet guidance",
      "note": "Wallet, block, chainstate and index files have different recovery purposes.",
      "version": "Bitcoin Core v29.0",
      "checkedAt": "2026-10-02T18:53:55.926Z",
      "contentSha256": "b22521efd202f947f5a126bb1f8bf24b1f03e48c3cc7928d3d5d11c53e2657b4",
      "recordId": "source-49ac1d73e9642790"
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  ],
  "related": {
    "articles": [
      "private-keys-and-seed-phrases",
      "bitcoin-output-descriptors",
      "bitcoin-wallet-passphrases",
      "bitcoin-wallet-gap-limit",
      "bitcoin-wallet-software-authenticity"
    ],
    "dossiers": [],
    "wallets": []
  },
  "revisionHistory": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-02",
      "kind": "published",
      "summary": "First publication after primary-source research and separate automated verification."
    }
  ],
  "citation": "Degrees of Satoshi editorial project. “Bitcoin wallet-file backups: what a seed may not preserve.” Published 2026-10-02; updated 2026-10-02. https://degreesofsatoshi.com/encyclopedia/bitcoin-wallet-file-backups/"
}