Do I need a wallet backup for my BitBox02?
Yes, having a secure wallet backup is essential. Without it, you could lose access to your Bitcoin forever if your BitBox02 is lost, stolen, or damaged.
What is a wallet backup?
A wallet backup is a secure copy of your wallet’s recovery words (also called a recovery phrase or seed phrase). These 12 or 24 words are generated when you first set up your BitBox02. They allow you to recover your funds on a new device if anything happens to your original wallet.
Why is it important?
Your coins are not stored directly on the BitBox02 — they’re stored on the blockchain. What your wallet holds is the private key, which gives you access to your coins. If you lose the BitBox02 and don’t have a backup, you lose access to your private keys — and therefore to your Bitcoin.
A backup gives you peace of mind that you can always recover your funds.
How to create a backup with the BitBox02
During setup, your BitBox02 will automatically create a backup of your wallet on the microSD card. This is a secure and easy method. If you ever need to restore your wallet, just insert the microSD card and follow the instructions in the BitBoxApp.
You can also write down the 24 recovery words manually as an extra backup. This can be helpful if your microSD card is lost or damaged.
For long-term storage, we recommend using a metal backup to protect your recovery words from fire or water damage. Learn more here: Using the Steelwallet to further improve seed backup safety
What happens if I don’t have a backup?
If your BitBox02 is lost or broken and you don’t have a backup, your Bitcoin cannot be recovered. There’s no password reset or support team that can help you — this is part of how self-custody works.
That’s why making a backup and storing it securely is one of the most important steps when using a hardware wallet.
Further reading:
- How to create and secure your wallet backup
- Why microSD backups should not be encrypted by default
- How to keep your Bitcoin backup safe: 4 proven methods you should know
- How Bitcoin backups work: 5 common mistakes, and how to avoid them