Your recovery phrase is the master key to your Malairte wallet. If your computer dies, gets lost, or is wiped, the phrase is the only way to bring your coins back. If someone else gets the phrase, they can take everything. Backing it up properly is the single most important habit in crypto.
Step 1: Write it on paper, by hand
Open your wallet and find the option that says Show recovery phrase or Backup wallet. Write the words on a piece of paper, in order, neatly. Double-check each word against the screen. Spelling matters. Do not take a photo.
Step 2: Make a second paper copy
Paper can be lost in a house fire or flood. Make a second copy, written just as carefully, and keep it in a different physical location — a relative’s house, a safety deposit box, or a fireproof safe.
Step 3: Never put it on a computer or phone
- Do not type it into a notes app.
- Do not save it to Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox, or email.
- Do not send it in a chat, even to yourself.
- Do not photograph the paper.
Anything connected to the internet can be hacked or read by software you do not know about. Paper cannot be hacked.
Step 4: Consider a metal backup
For long-term storage, some people stamp their recovery phrase into a small metal plate. This survives fire and water. It is optional, but worth it if you hold meaningful amounts.
Step 5: Test the backup once
Before you trust the backup, test it. On a different device, choose Restore wallet and type the phrase in. If your balance appears, the backup works. Then close the test wallet and put the phrase away safely.
Step 6: Tell one trusted person where it is
Not what it says — just where the paper lives. If something happens to you, someone you trust should be able to find it. A sealed envelope with simple instructions is enough.
Do these steps once, properly, and you can stop worrying.