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# Backups and recovery

Each account model has a different recovery path. “I backed up WalletChan” is
not enough unless you know which secrets and external authorities you use.

## Private-key account

Back up the exact private key. It controls one address. Reveal requires a live
master-password authorization; an agent password cannot reveal it.

## Seed-phrase account

Back up the 12 words in order. They control every derived account from that
phrase, including addresses not yet added to WalletChan. After restore, preview
and add the correct derivation indices if an account appears missing.

## Ledger

Use Ledger's recovery-phrase process. WalletChan stores only public address/path
metadata and cannot reveal or recover the Ledger key.

## Safe

Safe recovery depends on the configured owners and threshold. Removing the Safe
from WalletChan does not change onchain ownership. Ensure enough owners retain
their own recovery methods.

## Bankr

Maintain access to the Bankr account and its credential recovery process. A
WalletChan password alone cannot recreate a lost remote Bankr account.

## Shield recovery phrase

Privacy Shield has a separate wallet-wide 12-word phrase. It is not an Ethereum
seed phrase and cannot restore your public accounts.

Back it up under **Settings → Security → Shield Recovery**. Replacing it while
ready or pending Shield funds exist can make those funds inaccessible; the UI
shows balance-at-risk warnings and requires two acknowledgements.

## Storage rules

* Record secrets offline away from cameras and screen sharing.
* Never paste them into chat, search, cloud notes, or support messages.
* Test that you can identify which backup restores which account before adding
  significant funds.
* Keep the master password too; changing it requires current proof and reset is
  destructive.

WalletChan support will never ask you to send a secret.

## Related guides

* [Manage passwords, lock, and reset](/security/passwords)
* [Understand device-bound biometric unlock](/security/biometric-unlock)
* [Recover or publicly withdraw Shielded ETH](/privacy/unshield-and-recovery)
* [Add, reveal, or remove accounts safely](/accounts/manage)