Before you rely on your wallet.

Ten points to review

• Know who controls the keys. Can you explain whether you hold Bitcoin directly, a balance on a custodial platform, or shares in a fund?
• Understand your recovery path. Know what information and equipment recovery requires. Do not record the actual secrets on this checklist.
• Keep recovery secrets offline. Avoid photos, cloud notes, email, chat, and online forms. Use the secure backup method supported by your wallet.
• Fit the solution to your needs. Consider your experience, daily routine, priorities, and the people your plan needs to account for.
• Check addresses on a trusted device. Before approving a transaction, verify the destination and amount using your wallet’s supported process.
• Practise with a small amount. Make sure you understand receiving, sending, fees, and confirmations before moving a larger amount.
• Plan a safe recovery test. Follow the wallet’s official procedure. Do not erase your only working wallet or move your full balance to an untested setup.
• Consider loss, theft, fire, and water. Think about who can access backups and whether a single event could destroy every copy.
• Practise your inheritance plan. Consider who needs to be involved and rehearse the agreed process safely. Coordinate legal arrangements with a qualified adviser.
• Know how to get legitimate help. Support should never ask for your seed phrase or private keys. Slow down when anyone pressures you to act immediately.

Ticks stay on this page only; this checklist does not save or transmit your answers. Never write recovery secrets here. Download or print a copy if you want to keep it.