Bitcoin Forum

Bitcoin => Electrum => Topic started by: mobnepal on July 28, 2016, 03:57:06 PM



Title: How to import privatekey in electrum desktop wallet?
Post by: mobnepal on July 28, 2016, 03:57:06 PM
This question may sound silly however i couldn't see option to import private key in electrum wallet. I have tried importing via console like in other alts wallet but it is giving error, what is the actual code that can be used to import private key in eletrum console.

I used;
Code:
electrum importkey : private key
In console


Title: Re: How to import privatekey in electrum desktop wallet?
Post by: Jhanzo on July 28, 2016, 04:02:27 PM
Create a new wallet and choose "Restore a wallet or import keys" then enter any private keys you wish to import.  That's the only way you can import private keys in electrum afaik.  Better to just sweep so you can still make use of the standard deterministic wallet.


Title: Re: How to import privatekey in electrum desktop wallet?
Post by: EcuaMobi on July 28, 2016, 04:02:53 PM
Electrum is a hierarchical deterministic wallet. That means all its private keys and therefore addresses are generated from the same seed.
If you import a key then it couldn't be generated from that master key. To protect users from losing their coins importing an external private key is normally disabled.
It is strongly recommended to sweep your key instead (Wallet > Private keys > Sweep) so its funds will be moved to an address whose private key can be generated from the master seed.

Alternatively you can create a new wallet (File > New/Restore > Restore a wallet or import keys) but sweeping is the best solution most of the cases.