Once you have written down your seed phrase, you need to decide where it lives. Every location has a failure mode, so the aim is to choose the ones that suit your life. This comparison is part of our seed phrase backup guide.
Compare your options
| Location | Protects against | Weak against | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hidden at home | Casual visitors | Fire, flood, a thorough burglar | Instant |
| Home safe | Short fires, casual theft | Theft of the safe, coercion | Instant |
| Bank deposit box | Fire, burglary | Bank hours, closure, heirs' access | Limited |
| Trusted relative or friend | Disaster at your home | Their discretion and security | Slow |
| Office | Disaster at your home | Colleagues, job changes | Moderate |
Hidden at home
This is simple and private. Avoid obvious spots, such as a desk drawer or under a mattress. Keep the phrase dry, and away from heat. See hiding a seed phrase.
Home safe
Fire-rated safes are rated for paper for a limited time, typically 30 to 120 minutes. A small safe that is not bolted down can simply be carried away. Keep in mind that a metal backup survives far better in a fire.
Bank deposit box
Boxes are physically strong. But you depend on opening hours, and rules vary on who can open one after a death. Banks may not offer insurance on the contents, and some are ending the service. Also, an attacker with your ID or a legal order may be able to access it. Consider storing only part of your setup there.
Trusted person
A sealed, tamper-evident envelope at a relative's home protects against losing your own house. Trust matters: they would be able to read it. Avoid naming what it is. A passphrase, stored elsewhere, makes this option much safer.
Things to avoid
- Next to your hardware wallet.
- Inside a computer bag or a wallet.
- Anywhere labeled "crypto".
- Any digital form. See storing a seed phrase digitally.
- A shared storage unit.
Choosing a combination
Think about what would destroy each copy. If one fire, burglar or flood could reach all your copies, you have only one backup. Our guide on how many backups you need gives some simple setups, and advanced holders can read about geographic distribution.
Plan for your family
If something happens to you, could someone find it? Decide who should know, and read how to pass on crypto.