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What is the 12-word backup phrase?
Warning: Never share your 12-word backup phrase with anyone and never enter it on any websites claiming to be Atomic Wallet. Anyone who has your backup phrase can take your money. For more details, see our guide How to keep your money safe?
Contents
- What is the 12-word backup phrase?
- How to secure your wallet
- What are the private keys?
- Why you must never share your backup phrase with anyone?
- Where is the backup phrase stored?
What is the 12-word backup phrase?
The 12-word backup phrase is the key to your wallet and all the money it contains. It's a string of 12 lowercase words that is randomly generated for you when you're setting up your Atomic Wallet for the first time.
How to secure your wallet
Securing your wallet means securing your 12-word backup phrase
- Write your 12-word backup phrase down. Grab a notebook (or a piece of paper) and a pen and write your backup phrase down. Keep this copy in a safe place where it can't be found by people you don't want to have it. It's best to make two copies and store them separately.
- Delete digital copies of your backup phrase. This includes screenshots or digital notes. If your computer is infected with malware or accessed by someone you don't trust, those digital copies of your 12-word backup phrase—and therefore, your crypto—can be stolen.
- Never share your backup phrase with anyone. Our support agents will never ask for it. Apart from being a scammer who's trying to steal your money, there's no reason why anyone would need your backup phrase. If you give them the backup phrase, you're giving them your money.
- Never enter your backup phrase on any websites. There's no web version of Atomic Wallet. A web form asking you to enter your 12-word backup phrase to "restore" your wallet is the same as a chat window with a scammer—anything you enter will be sent to them.
What are the private keys?
You have a separate private key for each coin you hold (for example, BTC or ETH), but your backup phrase is the master key. Your private keys are derived from it, and this phrase will be the only way to recover your wallet if you lose your password or device.